HomeMy WebLinkAboutAP201800002 Correspondence 2018-12-04Comment for Albemarle County Board of Zoning Appeals
December 4, 2018
Good afternoon. I am Ann Rooker, and I reside in the Roslyn Ridge neighborhood.
It is important to understand the history of this zoning clearance. This began as a Special Use Permit
application which the applicant, Sue Albrecht, filed with the county in January 2015. The applicant and
several neighbors had a few informal meetings and some conversations about her proposal, and the
neighbors consistently expressed their reservations and opposition. The process between the applicant
and the county to refine the application went on for approximately 3 years. As strongly suggested by
the county for such SUP's, the applicant held a community meeting at Jack Jouett Middle School on
February 12, 2018. This meeting was attended by approximately 50 neighbors, only 2 of whom spoke
favorably about the proposal. In fact, many people angrily voiced opposition. By the end of the meeting,
it was clear that the community would not be supportive of this application when it came before the
Planning Commission.
The SUP was scheduled for public hearing at the Planning Commission on April 10, May 1, and June 12.
Each time it was deferred by the applicant for personal or family health matters, according to county
staff. Staff contacted me on July 5, 2018 to inform me that the applicant had requested an indefinite
deferral which meant that the application was not currently under active review. We heard nothing
more until an associate of the applicant, Richard Fox, tweeted on August 7, 2018, "Beyond excited 2
finally (after 4 yrs, 150k+ in permit fees, & countless attempts to prevent #ag use) be able 2 host #farm
to table events. 24 annual events of 200 attendees w/outdoor amplified music. The fight 4 #property
rights is far from over, but this battle is now behind us." This was our community's first notice that
something had happened. In fact, as we were to discover, one day after the February 12 community
meeting, the applicant had filed for a zoning clearance. NO ONE, not our Supervisor or our Planning
Commissioner, or any resident was notified by the county or the applicant of this or of the approval of
the zoning clearance. While this is not a legal requirement, we know of several cases in which the
Supervisor has been notified and can inform his/her constituents.
According to county staff, as of February 5, 2018, there were 2,875 properties within a one mile radius
of Roslyn Farm that will be negatively impacted by the traffic and noise produced by 24 events with 200
guests each that this zoning clearance allows. This application should never have been approved by the
zoning clearance process with no notice to or input from the public. We strongly believe this is a
subversion of the Special Use Permit process. We ask that you revoke this clearance.
Date 2
Name r) f (016r—r
Time_ � � A0 ink
Agenda Item