HomeMy WebLinkAboutCPA201900001 Presentation 2019-07-17The County's Urban neighborhoods have the majority of the locality's pedestrian facilities, which include
sidewalks along Route 29 North, Rio Road, and Hydraulic Road, as well as some along neighborhood
streets and trails. Asphalt sidewalk facilities, separate from but adjacent to roadways, exist along
Georgetown Road, Fontaine Avenue, Avon Street, 5th Street Extended, and Old Lynchburg Road.
Sidewalks also exist in the Town of Scottsville and in the Community of Crozet.
Strategy 4a: Continue to include bicycle lanes, bikeways, sidewalks, and crosswalks within new
developments in the Development Areas. Provide amenities such as bike racks in employment and
shopping areas.
Walking and biking connections are important parts of to a multimodal transportation network. Such
connections are supported by Development Areas Master Plans and other regional long-range planning
documents, including the MPO Long Range Transportation Plan, the Jefferson Area Bicycle, Pedestrian,
and Greenways Plan, and the TJPDC Rural Long Range Transportation Plan. Master Plans often identify
centers in Development Areas that serve as destinations for residents. The Master Plans show how
bicycle and pedestrian accommodations can connect centers and other destination points.
Bicycle and pedestrian facilities benefit the County in multiple ways. They can remove barriers to
mobility, broaden travel options for non -drivers, reduce conflicts between motorists and other road
users, reduce automobile traffic, increase recreational activity and exercise, encourage non -motorized
tourism, accommodate people with disabilities more effectively, and help create more livable
communities. Improved pedestrian and cycling conditions can benefit everyone in the community
regardless of how much they use non -motorized travel modes. It is important to provide amenities to
encourage bicycle and pedestrian travel. Methods for securing bicycles at destinations should be
provided in developments. If possible, shower and locker facilities should be provided at destinations
to facilitate bike travel for commuting purposes.
Bicycling provides an alternative mode of transportation to vehicular travel. Bicycle travel is
accommodated by on -road bicycle lanes that share lanes with vehicular traffic, and off -road paths
and trails. Bicycles and pedestrians can share multipurpose paths; however, bicyclists should not travel
on sidewalks for the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists. In addition to bicycle lanes and paths
maintained by the State, a segment of the U.S. Bicycle Route System that extends from Virginia to
Oregon is located in Albemarle County. Route 76 is one of two original U.S. Bicycle Routes.
Strategy 4b: Improve funding for an ongoing walkway, bicycle, and greenway construction fund in the
Capital Improvements Program (CIP). Use all possible funding sources for the construction of walkways
and bicycle facilities.
Public sidewalks are maintained by VDOT and are located within public rights of way parallel to a
roadway. Sidewalks are intended for Development Areas only and are required on new streets in the
Development Areas. Urban streets with curb, gutter, and a tree lawn located between the back of the
curb and the sidewalk are expected. Sidewalks are most typically constructed by the private sector
as a part of development projects, but they are also built by the County or State in conjunction with
public projects. VDOT maintains sidewalks on State routes that have been built to VDOT's subdivision
street standards. On State routes not built to VDOT standards, VDOT determines maintenance
eligibility after study by the County and local VDOT Resident Engineer.
Funding for public sidewalks typically comes from state and federal programs. Private sidewalks are
expected within the developments of non-residential, multi -family, and mixed use developments in the
10.17
Albemarle Comprehensive Plan ADOPTED June 10, 2015 BACK TO TOP
Development Areas. Some privately owned and maintained sidewalks are located adjacent to the
right-of-way in single-family developments; however, this is the exception rather than the rule. All
privately owned sidewalks are built by the private sector and are maintained by the development
owner or an owners association.
Improved local funding is needed to continue buildout of the planned infrastructure for the Development
Areas. It is important to complete planned infrastructure improvements such as sidewalks, bikeways,
and greenways in order to improve the quality of life in these areas. Improving the quality of life can,
in turn, attract the desired density to the area.
Strategy 4c: Continue to implement recommendations for future bicycle and pedestrian projects as
identified in adopted local and regional transportation plans and studies and Development Areas
Master Plans.
In 2004, the TJPDC created the Jefferson Area Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Greenways Plan which contains
recommendations for sidewalks, bicycle improvements, and proposed greenways for the City of
Charlottesville, UVA, and Albemarle County. These improvements can also be found in Development
Area Master Plans, the LRTP, and the RLRTP. As updates to the regional bicycle, pedestrian, and
greenways plan are adopted, they will help guide future CIP projects, volunteer activities, and proffers
from developers. When built, these facilities will help to improve mobility in the community and the
region.
Strategy 4d: Study and evaluate methods to ensure long-term maintenance of street trees within the
tree lawn areas of road right-of-ways.
The appearance of Albemarle County's roads and streets is often enhanced with landscape features
such as trees and shrubs. Street trees are expected in the Development Areas to help enhance the
streetscape and create a more inviting environment for walkers and bicyclists. Street trees have been
planted in many of Albemarle County's newer developments in the Development Areas. VDOT does
not maintain street trees within public road right-of-ways and most often a development's owner's
association is responsible for maintaining street trees. Most of the trees have not reached maturity
where they offer shade and canopy. As they mature, maintenance and replacement of street trees will
be needed. A plan for ensuring maintenance and replacement of street trees is needed to ensure that
the streetscape is both attractive and safe for the long-term.
Strategy 4e: Continue to use VDOT and railroad excess and/or abandoned right-of-way for multi-
use trails.
Trails and paths provide off -road pedestrian access in both private and public developments.
Multipurpose paths can accommodate cyclists, as well as pedestrians. Trails and paths are sometimes
located within greenways and provide a recreational and transportation function. It can be difficult
and costly to acquire new right-of-way for trails and greenways. Existing road right-of-ways that are
not needed for their original purpose can and should be used for multi -use trails where they can create
connections within the larger network. Railroad right-of-way may be available for other transportation
uses; however, this type of use is not guaranteed and consent from owners or compensation may be
needed.
More information on off -road trails and paths can be found in the Parks and Recreation, Greenways.
Blueways and Green Systems Chapter.
Albemarle Comprehensive Plan ADOPTED June 10, 2015
BACK TO TOP
10.1
Appendix 10: Transportation
This information is intended to provide greater detail on items described in the Transportation
Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan. Items in this Appendix are part of the Comprehensive Plan,
provide policy direction as if they were a strategy within the individual chapter, and carry the
same weight of the Comprehensive Plan.
Table of Contents
Page
Title and Description
Number
A.10.3
Albemarle County Roadway Design Standards
Provides general design standards for all road improvements and construction in the
County. General standards are provided for all roads and specific standards are
provided for roads in the Development Areas and roads in the Rural Area.
A.10.7
Albemarle County Policy on Paving Public Roads with Private Funds
Provides County policy guidance for when private citizens desire to pave public
roads that may not be highly (or at all) prioritized on the County's secondary road
construction program.
A.10.9
Albemarle County 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan.
Provides link to Plan the most recent edition of the Charlottesville -Albemarle Long
Range Transportation Plan, which was approved by the MPO Policy Board in May
2014.
A.10.1 1
Albemarle County Transportation Projects identified in VTRANS, SYIP, LRTP, RLRP,
Development Area Master Plans (MP) and allied documents, or otherwise identified
by VDOT, County staff, other public agencies. Provides information on all road
improvements proposed in adopted plans in Albemarle County.
A.10.19
Albemarle County 2035 TJPDC Rural Long Range Transportation Plan Projects
Provides a listing of the transportation projects in Albemarle County that have been
approved by the TJPDC in the most recent edition of the Rural Long Range
Transportation Plan. This covers transportation projects outside of the MPO area in
the County.
A.10.21
Albemarle County 2035 Virginia Surface Transportation Plan Recommendations
VSTP
Provides a description of the State's 2035 surface transportation plan
recommendations for the Blue Ridge region (3) which includes Albemarle County.
A.10.23
Places29 Appendix 4 Access management Report for US29, dated May 25, 2007
Provides information on access management strategies for US29 North, developed in
conjunction with the Places29 Master Plan.
Albemarle Comprehensive Plan ADOPTED June 10, 2015
A.10.1