Local Elections Matter – Charlottesville and Albemarle Edition
Local elections matter immensely - they're where our growth, land use, property taxes, police and more relevant policies are implemented. I'll be writing about the Albemarle, Charlottesville and Greene elections more as we get nearer to the elections, but for now, three of the most…
Downtown Charlottesville Expanding
Essentially, that's what's going to happen if this Strategic Investment Area plan in the the City of Charlottesville comes to fruition - even in part. More bike lanes, more connectivity, more density - Charlottesville could truly become more citified through the implementation of these proposals.…
Rio Road to get Busier
I wondered in late 2011 what Rio Road would look like in 2016. In a word: busier. And with this news of more apartments, I'll update my projection to "even busier" … here's hoping someone's thinking about planning to implement pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure. (more…)
Development in Charlottesville – Future and Present
Bill Emory asks some great and important questions about current and future development in Charlottesville, "Charlottesville" being the "City of Charlottesville" not "Charlottesville MSA" or "Charlottesville and Albemarle." A must-see photo essay. The overreaching question is: How do we move to excellent urban planning? (and…
Bundoran Farm’s Second Act
Bundoran Farm, the preservation development near North Garden and Batesville in Southern Albemarle was foreclosed on last year. Dave McNair at The Hook reports on how they're moving forward under new ownership. I've always loved that development and wish it was viable on a larger…
Biscuit Run Still Not Moving Forward
No one's surprised by this, are they? Charlottesville Tomorrow reports that two years after the sale of Biscuit Run to the Commonwealth "there is no approved master plan or funding to open the park." (more…)
Remove Cash Proffers in Albemarle?
If not cash proffers, what? An interesting proposal from the Free Enterprise Forum to remove cash proffers from Albemarle County's toolbox for managing new growth. I'm curious to know what alternatives exist that would replace proffers. Proffers are not always effective at restricting growth or…
Charlottesville’s and Albemarle’s Comprehensive Plans
Land use (for many) is boring and is the task of other people. But … if you live in (or are thinking about living in) the Charlottesville or Albemarle areas, you should be paying at least some attention to the Comprehensive Planning Processes of the…
Talking about Population Growth in Charlottesville – Costs, Benefits and Challenges
This should be fun. For those who read last month's note, you know that I was contemplating accepting the invitation to be on this panel put on by ASAP - Advocates for a Sustainable Population. Anyone who has read RealCentralVA for a while knows that…
Crozet’s Getting a Hotel
Looks like Crozet will be getting a hotel … in Old Trail. If you're curious, check out the state of the "Major Site Plan Amendment" at Albemarle County's outstanding County View - Planning Application number is SDP201300011 This is an interesting development … Old Trail…