HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinal PC minutes 04092024ALBEMARLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION
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Albemarle County Planning Commission
Final Minutes Regular Meeting April 9, 2024
The Albemarle County Planning Commission held a public hearing on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at
6:00 p.m.
Members attending were: Fred Missel, Chair; Luis Carrazana, Vice-Chair; Corey Clayborne;
Karen Firehock (remote); Julian Bivins; Lonnie Murray; and Nathan Moore.
Members absent: none
Other officials present were: Kevin McDermott, Deputy Director of Planning; Andy Herrick, County
Attorney’s Office; Andy Reitelbach; Rebecca Ragsdale; Margaret Maliszewski; and Carolyn
Shaffer, Clerk to the Planning Commission.
Call to Order and Establish Quorum
Ms. Shaffer called the roll.
Mr. Missel established a quorum.
Ms. Firehock said that she was located in Howardsville, Virginia, and she requested to participate
in the meeting remotely due to a bronchitis infection.
Mr. Bivins motioned to allow Ms. Firehock to participate in the meeting remotely, which was
seconded by Mr. Moore. The motion carried unanimously (7-0).
Other Matters Not Listed on the Agenda from the Public
Mr. Missel read the rules for matters from the public.
Janie Holbrook, Whitehall District, asked what happened when circumstances change
significantly, rendering the assumptions underlying a master plan invalid, or when the
transportation study supporting the master plan becomes outdated.
Ms. Holbrook said that at the All-ACC meeting last fall, she was told that these issues would be
addressed during a rezoning process. She asked what constituted the critical change in East
Crozet - the demise of the Eastern Avenue connector from US Route 250 to Three Notched.
Ms. Holbrook said that the southern segment to US Route 250 had been the top catalyst project
in the 2021 Crozet master plan. She said that alongside this connector's northward extension to
Three Notched, a fundamental assumption in the 2021 Crozet transportation study was
established.
Ms. Holbrook said that all of the intersection traffic analysis, all of the trip generation numbers that
depended on that transportation study, were based on construction of the full connector. She said
that land use also relied on this.
Ms. Holbrook said that last year, the VDOT estimate for the connector to 250 escalated from
$24.7 million to $39.5 million. She said that County staff confirmed that this increase was primarily
due to inflation, rather than just contingencies.
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Ms. Holbrook said that County transportation planning staff did not consider the project
competitive for SMART Scale, and VDOT will not proceed without full funding. She said that the
County had never funded a transportation project of such magnitude.
Ms. Holbrook said that in 2016, it was not funded at just $12.9 million. She said that the Eastern
Avenue Connector had been part of the master plan for over 40 years; however, it was now time
to acknowledge that the County cannot build it. She said that the northern segment was deleted
from the future street network map in the latest Crozet master plan, and it was evident that the
southern segment was also dead.
Ms. Holbrook said that not fulfilling the connector promise was regrettable enough but avoiding
the hard truth and upzoning to the high end of density ranges in East Crozet, particularly Oak
Bluff, would only add insult to injury.
Ms. Holbrook said that the Park Road and High Street neighborhoods, dating back to the middle
of the last century, lacked shoulders on roads, sidewalks, or bike lanes yet had absorbed much
of the East Crozet development traffic with no relief in sight.
Ms. Holbrook said that the intersection of Park Ridge and Three Notched was expected to become
a level of service F even with Eastern Avenue; and now, it will happen even faster. She said that
the Eastern Connector is neither feasible nor affordable.
Ms. Holbrook said that when Oak Bluff comes up for consideration, please take into account the
fundamental changes in transportation and safety in East Crozet. She said that this was not a
moratorium but project specific.
Consent Agenda
Mr. Clayborne motioned to approve the Consent Agenda as presented, which was seconded by
Mr. Murray. The motion carried unanimously (7-0). (Ms. Firehock was remote)
Items Requesting Deferral to a New Date
AFD202300001 Ivy Creek District Review
Mr. Bivins motioned to defer AFD202300001 Ivy Creek District Review to June 11, 2024, which
was seconded by Mr. Clayborne. The motion carried unanimously (7-0). (Ms. Firehock was
remote)
AFD202400002 Hardware District Review
Mr. Clayborne motioned to defer AFD202400002 Hardware District Review to June 11, 2024,
which was seconded by [?? 00:08:20]. The motion carried unanimously (7-0). (Ms. Firehock was
remote).
Public Hearing Items
ZMA202300012 Holly Hills
Andy Reitelbach, Senior Planner with the Albemarle County Planning Division said that the
location of the rezoning request involved eight parcels, and these parcels were located on the
east side of Route 29, south of Hollymead Drive, with the RST rezoning, now known as Archer
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North, situated directly to the south-southwest. He said that the neighborhoods surrounding the
property included the Hollymead and Forest Lakes communities to the northeast, east, and
southeast.
Mr. Reitelbach said that all eight parcels in this rezoning were currently zoned R1, allowing for 30
residential units by-right due to their combined size of over 30 acres. He said that the overlay
zoning districts affecting these eight parcels included the AIA Airport Impact Area and the EC
Entrance Corridor, with Route 29 being an entrance corridor. He said that steep slopes, both
managed and preserved, were present on this property.
Mr. Reitelbach said that surrounding zoning districts comprised PUD Planned Unit Development,
such as Hollymead and Forest Lakes to the northeast and southeast, and RST, now called Archer
North, was zoned PRD Planned Residential Development. He said that properties to the west
across Route 29 were zoned RA Rural Areas.
He said that regarding the comprehensive plan for this site, these eight properties fell within the
Places 29 Master Plan. He said that they had a mixed designation for these eight parcels: Urban
Density Residential, and Private Open Space and Environmental Features. He said that Urban
Density Residential recommended a range of 6.01 to 34 units per acre, along with secondary
uses such as retail, office, and commercial that support the neighborhood.
Mr. Reitelbach said that the recommended maximum residential building height was 45 feet or
four stories. He said that the Private Open Space designation required privately owned
recreational amenities in open space areas to protect environmental features, such as floodplains,
steep slopes, and wetlands.
Mr. Reitelbach said that surrounding land use designations included commercial mixed-use in
Hollymead to the north along Route 29. He said that Hollymead and Forest Lakes were primarily
designated neighborhood density residential. He said that RST Archer North was also designated
residential, with some areas designated Rural Areas around Route 29.
Mr. Reitelbach said that in the proposal for this application, there were eight parcels totaling
approximately 30.821 acres, currently zoned R1. He said that the existing use consisted mainly
of forests with a few single-family detached houses and accessory structures. He said that the
applicant requested the property be rezoned to PRD to allow for a maximum of 410 dwelling units.
He said that these units would be a mixture of multifamily and single-family attached units.
Mr. Reitelbach said that at 410 units, the property would have a gross density of 13.3 dwelling
units per acre and a net density of approximately 20 dwelling units per acre. He said that both
density calculations fell within the range recommended by the Places 29 Master Plan for urban
density residential.
Mr. Reitelbach said that the specifics of the proposal, based on the application plan shown in the
previous slide, included 410 units across seven different designated building envelopes. He said
that the development would consist of a mix of multifamily and single-family attached units with a
maximum height of four stories, as recommended by the Places 29 Master Plan.
Mr. Reitelbach said that the public street network would primarily consist of Archer Avenue, which
connected to US 29. He said that the proposed development would primarily run eastward and
then southward through the area, connecting to the RST Archer Nort h development in the south
and eventually reaching Ashwood Boulevard. He said that upon reaching Ashwood Boulevard, it
would connect with Archer Avenue, passing through the Brookhill neighborhood until it reached
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Polo Grounds Road.
Mr. Reitelbach said that the majority of this development consisted of a public street network;
however, the access ways and travel ways within the multifamily units would be privately owned
and maintained as part of those residential buildings.
Mr. Reitelbach said that there were two main entry points for this project. He said that one was a
right-in right-out entrance off Route 29, and the other connected to Archer Avenue, which
continued southward, ultimately linking up with Ashwood Boulevard.
Mr. Reitelbach said that two emergency access points only were recommended: Reuben Lane,
located near the intersection of South Hollymead Drive and Route 29 in the northwest area of the
property; and Derby Lane, a cul-de-sac within the Hollymead subdivision, situated in the
northeastern part of the property.
Mr. Reitelbach said that three future inter-parcel connections were proposed for the three parcels
located in the middle northern region of this project, which were not included in the current
proposal but were surrounded on the west, south and east sides by the subject property, and by
the Hollymead subdivision to the north.
Mr. Reitelbach said that the applicant had suggested a shared use path along Archer Avenue,
connecting with the shared use path proposed in the Archer North RST development and also
linking to the existing shared use path along the east side of Route 29.
Mr. Reitelbach said that the applicant proposed a Class B primitive trailway through the wooded
areas within the development, following the stream that runs through its center. He said that the
proposal included 15% affordable housing at 80% Area Median Income (AMI), consistent with the
County's affordable housing policy when this application was submitted and reviewed.
Mr. Reitelbach said that the construction of public streets, particularly Archer Avenue, required
some disturbance to the stream buffer and preserved steep slopes. He said that this was
necessary for connecting Route 29 to the Archer North development located in the south and for
associated utilities on public streets.
Mr. Reitelbach said that the project proposed 40.5% of the site dedicated to open spaces. He said
that a 100-foot forested buffer was planned along US Route 29, as per the Places 29 master plan
for entrance corridors. He said that along the north and east boundaries of the site, adjacent to
existing Forest Lakes and Hollymead neighborhoods, there was a proposed 30-foot buffer of
undisturbed and landscaped areas.
Mr. Reitelbach said that three main amenity spaces would be distributed throughout the site,
including recreational facilities such as a clubhouse, pool, and tot lots. He said that the forested
areas along the WPO stream buffer and preserved steep slopes would remain mostly forested,
with the exception of portions disturbed for public street construction. He said that a Class B
primitive trail was proposed in these forested areas to allow for recreation.
Mr. Reitelbach said that the multifamily buildings were primarily located in the central and western
parts of the development along Route 29 and Archer Avenue, while townhouses and single-family
attached units were situated near RST, Forest Lakes, and Hollymead.
Mr. Reitelbach said that with 410 multifamily units, it was anticipated that up to 148 additional
students may be generated and attend Agnor-Hurt Elementary School, Lakeside Middle School,
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and Albemarle High School. He said that Agnor-Hurt Elementary would become overcapacity with
this proposed development, while Lakeside Middle would remain under capacity. He said that
Albemarle High School, which was already overcapacity, would continue to be overcapacity with
additional students from this development.
Mr. Reitelbach said that there were several positive aspects of the rezoning request. He said that
it aligned with the urban density residential guidelines of 6.01 to 34 units recommended by the
Place's 29 Master Plan. He said that it adhered to the applicable neighborhood model principles,
providing affordable units at 15% of the total number of constructed units - a figure consistent with
the County policy at the time this application was submitted and reviewed.
Mr. Reitelbach said there were concerns regarding this development. He said that it would result
in additional student enrollment at area schools that were already overcapacity or cause a school
like Hollymead Elementary School to become overcapacity over time. He said that the initial
mention of Agnor-Hurt Elementary was an error. He said that the figures were correct, he just said
the wrong school name.
Mr. Reitelbach said that the second concern was the development's potential impact on preserved
steep slopes and WPO stream buffer areas, which would be disturbed to construct some of the
project's public spaces.
Mr. Reitelbach said that while constructing these streets helped connect various developable
parts of the property and avoid additional cul-de-sacs in the area, it did come at the cost of
disturbing preserved natural areas. He said that despite these concerns, staff recommended
approval of ZMA 2023-12 Holly Hills.
Mr. Murray said that he had a question concerning an intermittent stream depicted on the western
side of the property. He asked if a site determination had been conducted to verify its intermittent
nature. He asked if he would observe water flowing within the stream if he visited the location
today.
Mr. Reitelbach said that he was unaware if it had been determined whether they were intermittent.
He said it was reviewed with a stream buffer in certain areas.
Mr. Murray said that no site visit had been conducted yet. He said that he seemed to recall in the
past, there was a policy about mitigation when a stream buffer was impacted, involving a two-to-
one ratio. He asked what the present mitigation policy for impacts to stream buffers was.
Mr. Reitelbach said that he was unsure about the current policy. He said that the engineering
division would assess any effects on stream buffers and adhere to guidelines and regulations,
implementing necessary mitigation measures. He said that parking spaces or residential lots
would not be permitted in residential areas or within stream buffer zones. He said that he must
consult with their engineering division to determine the precise mitigation policies in effect at
present.
Mr. Bivins said that he would like to ask a couple of questions. He said that it was helpful to know
that RST had been renamed Archer North. He asked if they had any idea when this would go
through the site review process. He said that given the addition of a second entrance, they should
know when the project would actually happen.
Mr. Reitelbach said that there was a site plan under review for Archer North.
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Mr. Bivins said that in the CAC report, a response to a question stated that there was no conflict
with schools. He said that he was aware that both Hollymead and Lakeside schools were not
currently at full capacity, and the County was constructing another elementary school in the area.
He said that they were building two schools. He said that their concern remained that this
development, along with others proposed, may overcrowd these schools before the new school
was completed.
Mr. Bivins said that the completion status of the two new schools was unclear in the information
provided. He said that there seemed to be a discrepancy in the staff notes, as it stated that the
schools were at capacity, while also mentioning they were not currently at capacity. He asked for
clarification.
Mr. Reitelbach said that Albemarle High School currently exceeded its capacity, while Hollymead
and Lakeside were presently under their respective capacities. He said that upon the completion
of the development, it was anticipated that the student population would increase, causing
Hollymead to surpass its capacity as well.
Mr. Bivins said that at the same time, he believed it was essential for the public to understand that
there were two schools on the agenda for that part of the County, in addition to High School
Center Two, which would add capacity at the Albemarle High School location.
Mr. Bivins said that he wanted to emphasize that there was ample space to accommodate
students due to the elementary and high schools under consideration for this area. He asked if
the applicant would be able to provide more affordable units if they were able to do so.
Mr. Reitelbach said that should the applicant have interest; they could offer more affordable
housing than currently recommended in the policy.
Mr. Carrazana said that previously, Mr. Murray raised a question regarding the effects of stream
buffers. He asked whether the impacts to the buffers were only caused by the road construction.
Mr. Reitelbach said that it would be road construction and related utilities, including water lines.
Mr. Carrazana said there were locations where it was evident that they were crossing the stream.
Mr. Reitelbach said that no residential units or amenity facilities would be constructed within the
stream buffer.
Mr. Moore said that he was curious about the format of these reports, specifically the bottom
section of the front page that listed both positive aspects and concerns. He asked about the
consistency of a concern regarding additional student enrollment, given that they only catered to
this age group, and they did not list impacts on elder care or Fire and Rescue capacity. He asked
if it should not be presented as a negative factor but rather something they anticipated and
planned for.
Mr. Reitelbach said that it was worthwhile to take into account this aspect during the assessment
of rezoning applications. He said that the fire rescue department examined new applications to
evaluate the potential effects on their capacity to deliver adequate fire services.
Mr. Missel asked whether they could explain the rationale behind choosing a PRD over an NMD.
Mr. Reitelbach said that given that this development predominantly consisted of residential
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properties, it was more sensible to opt for the PRD approach as they were primarily focused on
residential areas. He said that the NMD, on the other hand, aimed to promote a diverse range of
uses within the development.
Mr. Reitelbach said that the applicant expressed no interest in incorporating commercial
development as part of this project. He said that since this area was mainly designated for urban
density residential in the Places 29 Master Plan, with residential being the primary use, it aligned
better with PRD rather than the more mixed-use NMD.
Mr. Missel said that VDOT reviewed the TIA, and they highlighted an issue concerning one of the
turning movements, specifically stacking on one of these movements. He said that this concern
arose from the assumption that Archer could be connected to Archer North. He asked whether
the site plan for Archer North included the connection of the street or if it was a separate internal
plan not yet triggering the interconnection.
Mr. Reitelbach said that the site plan included the Archer Avenue connection, extending from
Ashwood Boulevard to the property boundary. He said that the applicant could likely provide
further details on this aspect during their presentation.
Mr. Missel opened the public hearing.
Steve Blaine, representing the applicant, said that they had a joint venture in this application with
a highly experienced multifamily developer, Dominion Realty Partners, and Stony Creek
Development. He said that their CEO, Michael Campbell, was present that night, along with their
entire team.
Mr. Blaine said that he understood there were some questions that would be deferred to their
engineer. He said that the plan had evolved significantly since its inception, which started in the
summer prior. He said that they met with the leadership of both the Hollymead and Forest Lakes
neighborhoods before filing the application, receiving valuable feedback.
Mr. Blaine said that the revised plan addressed concerns raised by the community, particularly
traffic and inter-parcel and inter-community connections at Darby Lane and Reuben Lane. He
said that they had committed to maintaining both as emergency access only. He said that other
concerns included impacts to immediate neighbors, which the plan now reflected with a 20-foot
undisturbed buffer and a 10-foot landscape buffer.
Mr. Blaine said that the setbacks, as shown in the application plan, were 20 feet, providing a total
of 40 feet between buildings and the surrounding community. He said that they had increased
interparcel intermobility connections or multimodal connections in response to the community's
requests.
Mr. Blaine said that the future Archer Avenue would also have a 10-foot multi-use path. He said
that the conceptual images showed the proposed apartment buildings in higher density central to
the project, with lower density townhouses adjacent to conventional neighborhoods. He said that
the proximity to Hollymead Elementary School presented opportunities to enhance the trail
network.
Mr. Blaine said that there was an existing trailway in Forest Lakes, close to their project. He said
that they proposed connecting this trail to the northeast corner of their project and linking it with
Hollymead Drive. He said that a crosswalk would be installed to help students safely walk to
school using the 10-foot multi-use path.
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Mr. Blaine said that the bridge shown was from a path connecting Forest Lakes to Baker Butler
Elementary, and they envisioned a sensitive trail design with minimal disturbance. He said that
regarding concerns about the school, they had conducted an analysis based on projected
capacity numbers provided by the Albemarle County School Division.
Mr. Blaine said that Hollymead Elementary had a capacity of 429, but projections indicated it
would not reach anywhere near that number in the next ten years. He said that the addition of
their project would not overload Lakeside Elementary, as acknowledged by the school division.
He said that Albemarle County had faced capacity issues, but this was the projection for the area
with the given unit multipliers for elementary schools.
Mr. Blaine said that the big swing factor was the heavy weighting for multifamily units, which had
a 0.12 per unit multiplier. He said that in contrast to the analysis in the staff report, using an
average resulted in a nearly double multiplier, leading to projections of 86 students.
Mr. Blaine said that they did not fault the school division for this approach since they had not
committed to specific types of units. He said that it was fair to say that they used an average and
based it on an average multiplier. He said that the school division had a strategy in place,
acknowledging the growth in the area and projecting Hollymead to continue to be under capacity.
Mr. Blaine said that if the capacity was reached, as indicated by the presence of a North Feeder
school in the CIP, they had acknowledged this issue since their long-range planning advisory
report from five years ago. He said that Lakeside would continue to operate at under capacity.
Mr. Blaine said that a different strategy had been employed for the high school. He said that the
approach was unique, as they had developed a center-based system. He said that Center 1 had
already been funded, while Center 2 was projected but not yet fully funded. He said that with
these two additions, the system would accommodate 650 students. He said that it was the school
division recognizing the impending growth in the area.
Mr. Blaine said that the supervisors and CIP funds were aware of this issue, and they did not view
it as a negative or unfavorable aspect for this project. He said that they had submitted a special
exception for step backs or setbacks.
Mr. Blaine said that the developer's successful approach to green building had also been
highlighted by meeting the National Green Building Standard. He said that this standard focused
on six key areas of lot and land development to achieve certification, setting it apart from other
certifications like LEED and Energy Star.
Mr. Bivins said that he had a couple of questions. He said that he noticed that approximately 40%
of the project involved green space. He said that there was a significant topographical change on
the site. He asked if, once the development was complete, will a significant portion of it be
accessible to the community. He said that he was referring specifically, not to the part near the
stream, but the part above Route 29.
Mr. Blaine said that part of the reason for the primitive trail system was to promote passive use,
avoiding intrusion on natural features wherever possible. He said that it would be accessible in
that way.
Mr. Bivins said that everyone had recognized that while there were some good recreational
facilities available, they were somewhat tailored for specific groups. He said that as they
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considered the tot lots, they should think about them as intergenerational spaces where families,
single individuals, and people with children could all gather together. He said that these spaces
should not be exclusively designated for tot lots.
Mr. Bivins asked, considering the 62 affordable units of the project, if there would be an
opportunity to reassess the financial situation and potentially increase the number of affordable
units at any point during the development process. He asked whether they were committed to 62
units.
Mr. Blaine said that no potential owner or investor had been restricted by the County's policy. He
said that the developer or owner could review market conditions throughout the process.
Mr. Bivins said that they should maintain an open mind on that considering this would be beneficial
for future discussions. He said that there were bike racks present. He asked if there would be
electric vehicle chargers installed on the property.
Mr. Blaine said yes.
Mr. Carrazana asked if the special exception for the step backs applied to all the buildings or
specific buildings.
Mr. Blaine said that it concerned only two buildings along the entrance corridor on Route 29. He
said that the orientation of these buildings was influenced by an ARB preference, as they were
apprehensive about having two buildings aligned parallel and a long wall concept. He said that
they proposed an alternative: making one building perpendicular to the others. He said that this
proposal was well-received by the ARB.
Mr. Carrazana said that in regards to amenities, at present, there was a primary grassy area which
encompassed the central triangular space designated as an amenity zone. He asked if there
would be room in that space for sports activities.
Mr. Blaine said that he would ask about the developer's experiences, but they would not exclude
any activities. He said that they should mention that the facilities would comprise a swimming pool
and a clubhouse. He said he was not sure if the space would support a soccer pitch.
Mr. Carrazana said that they should consider some kind of activity. He said that it was essential
to provide them with sports options such as basketball courts or soccer fields. He said that
although tot lots and dog parks were available, they likely did not cater to the preferences of young
children.
Mr. Clayborne said that he would like to revisit the part in the staff report concerning VDOT's
concerns about the stacking in the current turn lane. He said that the project proposed an
additional turn lane and asked if that would address VDOT concerns.
Mr. Blaine said that it was a late-breaking development, and staff likely received a memo
yesterday or today. He said that until the last few days, they were in conversations. He said that
it appeared that they had addressed VDOT's concerns, and their recommendation was that no
improvements were warranted due to this development.
Mr. Clayborne said that the information was helpful. He said that regarding the affordable housing
units, he asked if the intention was to distribute them across the entire project, rather than
concentrating them in one building.
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Mr. Blaine said that there would not be a designated affordable area. He said that as units became
available, if a qualified tenant applied, they would be leased. He said that no distinctions in finishes
would exist among the various units.
Mr. Clayborne said that he appreciated the presentation regarding school impacts, and he
suggested including measures for offsetting this effect, even if the schools were under capacity.
He said that maintenance was essential, and it could be challenging to secure funding at both
state and local levels.
Mr. Clayborne said that as they progressed with the site plan, he asked them to consider the
green spaces amidst the predominant surroundings of asphalt. He said that they should consider
a thorough examination of vehicular and pedestrian traffic patterns for safety purposes.
Mr. Murray said that the headwaters of streams played a critical role in stream ecology. He said
that currently, the County policy required no buffer at all on intermittent streams, which were often
removed altogether. He said that it would be ideal to preserve as much of those intermittent
streams on the western side, even if it necessitated highly engineered solutions.
Mr. Murray said that the University of Virginia's South Lawn Project offered an excellent example
of how an intermittent stream had been preserved and engineered to provide filtering capacity.
He said that instead of running it as a culvert under a building, as shown in the plan, he
encouraged exploring alternatives that kept the stream on the surface or better managed
stormwater on the site by focusing on quality, not just quantity treatment.
Mr. Blaine said that he was quite familiar with the university project as he had resided on Lewis
Mountain Road for several years. He said that the stream had been covered for over a century,
and they did a good thing uncovering it.
Scott Collins, Collins Engineering, said that they had made efforts to preserve the 2,600 linear
feet of perennial streams in the project area, except for two stream crossings. He said that 75%
of the intermittent stream would be impacted from the road crossing, not the building.
Mr. Collins said that 50 to 60 linear feet were additionally impacted by the building. He said that it
would be routed around and connected to the culvert. He said that the total preserved streams
amounted to about 80-90% of the intermittent streams on the site.
Mr. Murray asked if they were seeking other methods for enhancing stormwater mitigation quality
and asked what options were being considered for implementation.
Mr. Collins said that the size of this project, as per the state mandate, necessitated 75% on-site
treatment. He said that this particular project would provide more than that requirement, making
it distinct from typical projects. He said that a significant aspect of this project involved the existing
VDOT sediment basin - a stormwater management facility similar to the one in the Brookhill
development.
Mr. Collins said that they enhanced the basin and incorporated stormwater management from the
Brookhill development. He said that they made the facility a more natural feature. He said that
their plan was to apply a similar approach to this project. He said that they aimed to enhance the
existing facility, incorporate more stormwater management features, and landscape the area for
aesthetic appeal and filtration purposes.
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Mr. Murray said that improving the VDOT facility into an effective biofilter would be a true asset.
He said that if they could find a method to channel the intermittent stream into the biofilter, it would
significantly enhance its functionality at that location.
Mr. Collins said that was a good point.
Mr. Bivins asked if they were talking about the existing biofilter near the blue and orange house
on 29.
Mr. Collins said yes.
Mr. Bivins said that it was a large structure made of stone and surrounded by a fence, with a
mound designed for water collection nearby. He asked if they were talking about redoing that and
integrating it into the property.
Mr. Collins said that was correct.
Mr. Moore asked for clarification regarding the number of units in the area, specifically the request
going from 500 units a few months ago to today's request for 410 units. He said that he recalled
that PRD allowed up to 700 units. He asked about the process behind determining the current
figure and why this particular density was considered in light of previous approvals.
Mr. Collins said that 410 was the suitable option for this development, considering the existing
infrastructure surrounding the development and the on-site streams. He said that by taking all
these factors into account, it generated the number itself. He said that this number aligned well
with the current traffic patterns and maintaining the streams while addressing the remaining
development areas. He said that with having recreational spaces and other considerations, it
resulted in the emergence of this number as the most appropriate choice.
Mr. Moore said that the site was more challenging than some they had seen previously.
Mr. Collins said yes, it was.
Mr. Moore asked for further information about the emergency exits located on Derby Lane and
South Hollymead Drive. He asked for additional details regarding these emergency access roads
connecting to the north, specifically what distinguished them as exclusively for emergencies.
Mr. Collins said that it would be a multi-use pathway that was 20 feet wide, allowing emergency
vehicular access when necessary. He said that bollards on both sides of the roadway would be
accessible for opening by emergency vehicles if main entrances were blocked. He said that this
applied to the location on Derby Lane and also the one on Reuben Lane, which served as their
connection. He said that an existing driveway along Reuben Lane ensured continued access to
properties north of them.
Mr. Bivins said that he needed to state that the Board of Supervisors had been quite clear on this
matter. He said that Derby Lane was assumed to be a public road, as was South Hollymead Drive.
He said that it was frustrating for communities to request VDOT maintenance while opposing
drive-throughs. He said that it was not acceptable for developers, who were making reasonable
contributions to an area, to be disadvantaged by residents who wanted the benefits of a public
road but did not wish for its usage.
Mr. Bivins said that if a group of taxpayers did not want others to use their public road, they should
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convert it into a private road. He said that as long as everyone shared the responsibility of funding
these roads through their taxes, everyone should have free access. He said that he could not
support the bollards for personal convenience and would suggest they make it a private road in
that case.
Mr. Moore said that Mr. Bivins had stated some of his opinions on this issue. He said that he
supported grids and multiple roads connected to one another, reducing congestion on major
routes like 29. He said that this approach provides alternate pathways for cars, improving overall
traffic flow. He said that he could acknowledge that increased traffic may cause concerns for
residents on Derby Lane, but he wanted to emphasize the importance of prioritizing proper
infrastructure development. He said that personally, he preferred the construction of real roads in
the area. He said that to clarify, one of the developments would be for rental units.
Mr. Collins said that was correct.
Mr. Moore asked if there was any interest in increasing the affordable units up to 20% with the
new developer incentives.
Mr. Blaine said that the client developed the plan for this site, and they had heard how they
determined that plan. He said that at that time, those incentives had not yet been implemented.
He said that it remained to be seen what impact the incentives would have. He said that the
County needed to adopt an ordinance before the incentives could take effect. He said that it was
certainly in the right direction for promoting affordable housing, but it may be a different developer
that would do that.
Mr. Moore said that he had to ask. He said that he commended the numerous pathways,
pedestrian walkways, and sidewalks that appeared to connect various areas, including the school.
Ms. Firehock said that her comment was that she appreciated the maintained connectivity
throughout the site. She said that the other comment pertained to the impacts on streams. She
said that it was generally true that placing any part of a stream within a box culvert would affect
the stream. She said that a bridge would be preferable, although she understood it was more
expensive. She said that her question was directed towards Mr. Blaine.
Ms. Firehock said that towards the end of his presentation, he mentioned environmental
certifications and a new approach he was adopting that focused more on the land rather than just
the building. She said that he had compared this to LEED and other similar systems. She asked
if further information could be provided about whether this development would follow a set of
environmental principles or if they were seeking certification for this project.
Mr. Blaine said that the developer plans to pursue a certification for this development, aiming to
achieve at least the bronze level of the national green building standard. He said that while he
was unable to enumerate all factors considered for this certification, the general areas assessed
during the evaluation process were outlined in his presentation. He said that Mike Campbell may
provide further details on this matter, as the approach had been successfully applied to other
projects and garnered positive feedback from both investors and local residents.
Ms. Firehock said that they did not proffer it, so she was seeking more information about what
was intended. She said that an exhaustive list was not necessary, but she would like to know
what was so green about this proposal.
Mr. Campbell said that approximately 10 to 12 years ago, their company made a decision to
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incorporate a green designation for all of their developments. He said that over that time, they
had completed over 35 green projects, which included office buildings and various levels of LEED
certification as well as residential green globes in rehabilitated properties. He said that however,
they discovered that the National Association of Home Builders' bronze designation certification
aligned effectively with this type of product.
Mr. Campbell said that it appeared that Ms. Firehock was familiar with designations and their
associated scorecards. He said that essentially, this designation involved a similar process where
inspectors evaluated insulation, series ratings on mechanical units, and established a specific
scorecard to achieve the bronze certification during construction.
Mr. Campbell said that over that time period, they had completed 35 green projects designated
at different levels. He said that for this particular project, it aligned exceptionally well with the
garden-style walk-up product and adhered to their corporate philosophy of being environmentally
conscious and doing what is right for their residents.
Mr. Missel asked if there were any members of the public who wished to speak on this item.
Seeing none, he asked the Clerk if there were any speakers signed up online.
Ms. Shaffer said that there were none.
Mr. Missel closed the public hearing and the matter rested with the Commission.
Ms. Firehock said that she had nothing further to add other than that she appreciated how they
maintained connectivity throughout the site. She said that the proposal had a relatively light
footprint while adding the necessary density for the growth area.
Mr. Moore said that he agreed with Ms. Firehock and that earlier, he had expressed his preference
for actual roads instead of bollards at the northern end. He said that however, overall, he found
the design to be well-constructed and suitable for adding solid housing to their community's stock.
Mr. Murray said that he appreciated the emphasis on maintaining density within the growth area
as well as promoting interconnectivity. He said that he believed these attributes, along with the
substantial allocation of green space on the site and the consideration of providing stormwater
mitigation measures beyond merely resorting to a large muddy pit, were significant assets.
Mr. Clayborne said that he concurred with his fellow Commissioners' sentiments. He said that it
seemed like a nice project, and it was encouraging to see an increase in density. He said that
their parcels were being developed in accordance with the comprehensive plan's
recommendations, and he applauded that. He said that he had shared his other comments on the
proposal earlier.
Mr. Bivins said that he would give a lift to his colleague on the right regarding the allocation of
space. He said that he would suggest expanding the area designated for recreation rather than
creating smaller pocket parks. He said that he believed that this would be advantageous for the
community as it was built out. He said that additionally, incorporating taller buildings in certain
areas, without necessitating elevators for all structures, can contribute to a more diverse skyline
and promote the idea that density can coexist with a pleasant environment. He said that by
integrating density with trees, hillsides, and green spaces, they could create a comfortable living
area that people can enjoy with honor.
Mr. Carrazana said that he believed this comment applied to the staff as well. He said that when
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reviewing these applications for increased density, which was a frequent topic, he was unsure of
how much consideration had been given from the staff’s perspective to potentially request
exceptions to exceed the current four-story limit. He said that there were developments like this
one where they did not encounter road impact issues, which was not always the case.
Mr. Carrazana said that by allowing increased development, they would see more affordable
housing units but also an increase in overall housing supply. He said that there were locations
that could accommodate this additional density. He said that it was essential to recognize that
density was not inherently negative; however, it may not suit every area. He said that this
particular location seemed suitable for higher density.
Mr. Carrazana said that moving forward, he suggested finding ways to encourage more density
in appropriate sites through dialogue and discussion. He said that initially, this development aimed
for a denser community or intended to utilize the challenging site more effectively. He said that
therefore, the number of units was reduced. He said that by allowing for greater height, they could
accommodate more units.
Mr. Carrazana said that he proposed that internally, they explore ways to maximize density in
suitable sites and potentially encourage it. He said that they had observed that a significant
amount of untapped density potential remained on the table. He said that when examining their
numbers, they should consider this aspect.
Mr. Bivins said that in the past, they had focused on providing net density information to
applicants; however, it may be advantageous to allow the applicants to consider gross density
instead. He said that this approach would enable the applicants, who invest in costly staff and
consultants, to determine how best to utilize the property. He said that this would benefit both the
applicants and their community by encouraging creativity and contributing to their vision of a
beautiful and thriving area.
Mr. Missel said that he had a few comments, some specific to this application and others more
editorial in nature. He said that he wanted to commend the proposal’s density, location, and the
creative approach to designing infrastructure and the network of streets and buildings. He said
that secondly, regarding streets, he agreed with Mr. Bivins.
Mr. Missel said that if there was a public road ending in a cul-de-sac and the opportunity for
interconnection to the adjacent property, it seemed illogical to make that inaccessible to the
developer. He said that it would help with trip absorption internally. He said that there was no
commercial use in this development so there was not a lot of trip absorption, but something like
that would help provide with the dispersal of that grid.
Mr. Missel said that from a coordination standpoint, if there was any site plan for Archer North,
knowing that that aligned well with their street layout without impacting development density was
important. He said that it was crucial to maintain consistency in the area's natural interaction and
leverage those benefits. He said that in terms of the special exception application, he noticed that
it did not explicitly mention the two buildings, but did mention all of the buildings, which was
different from what the applicant stated.
Mr. Clayborne moved that the Planning Commission recommend approval of ZMA202300012
Holly Hills for the reasons stated in the staff report. The motion was seconded by Mr. Murray and
passed unanimously (7-0).
ZMA202300016 Stonefield Code of Development Amendment – Motor Vehicle Sales and
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SP202300019 Stonefield Outdoor Display/Storage
Mr. Missel said that there was consensus from the Planning Commission to combine
ZMA202300016 and ZMA202300019 into a single public hearing.
Rebecca Ragsdale, Planning Manager with the Planning Division, was accompanied by Margaret
Maliszewski, another Planning Manager who had also worked on this item. She said there were
two items on the agenda, which would be combined into one presentation covering both items,
followed by separate actions for the Commission.
Ms. Ragsdale said that the subject matter was associated with Stonefield, zoned Neighborhood
Model and had a code of development which lists the permitted uses. She said that there was an
application plan and proffers related to this matter. She said that the rezoning proposal aimed to
amend the use table within the code of development to include motor vehicle sales of up to 4,500
square feet in certain blocks. She said that if more than 4,500 square feet was required, it would
still need a special use permit. She said that currently, motor vehicle sales required a special use
permit, so this amendment would include two tiers.
Mr. Ragsdale said that a special use permit was also required for the proposed outdoor storage
or display of vehicles, limited to about 10 parking spaces. She said that this location was in the
entrance corridor, which necessitated the special use permit. She said that the property in
question was located at the corner of Seminole Trail, or Route 29, and Hydraulic.
Ms. Ragsdale said that as shown on the map provided, the two areas where the use was proposed
were 1951, which included the old Pier 1 space, some adjacent spaces to that, and 1954, which
comprised some other spaces adjacent to the Regal Movie Theater. She said that the
comprehensive plan designated this area as urban mixed-use, with auto uses contemplated. She
said that automobile service and sales were proposed as secondary uses, which were minimal
and limited, fitting well within the master plan's guidelines. She said that consequently, they had
no concerns regarding this aspect.
Ms. Ragsdale said that they reviewed the proposal's location alongside the Architectural Review
Board's recommendations for approval. She said that this analysis focused on the spaces near
the Regal Theater and those proposed adjacent to the potential showroom and sales office. She
said that additionally, that they included a closer look at the areas surrounding the theater. She
said that the existing landscaping effectively screened the parking lot, preventing any negative
impacts from the parked vehicles. She said that cars were situated in existing parking spaces, so
no additional landscaping was recommended.
Ms. Ragsdale said that they considered the consistency of the proposal with the master plan
guidelines and believed that, given its size, scale, and nature, it aligned with the original intent of
the Stonefield code of development. She said that as a result, staff recommended approving both
proposals: the rezoning to amend the code development and the special use permit for outdoor
storage and display, adhering to the Architectural Review Board's conditions. She said that these
conditions included parking spaces being within the existing striped spaces and vehicles not being
elevated anywhere on site.
Mr. Clayborne asked if this would require charging stations anywhere on the site.
Ms. Ragsdale said that they anticipated having charging stations installed in the current parking
spaces for potential display purposes.
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Mr. Clayborne asked if they were anticipating some there.
Ms. Ragsdale said they were. She said that the applicant could clarify that further.
Mr. Clayborne said that he understood that this item had been presented before the ARB. He
asked if there was any plan to install building-mounted security cameras to monitor vehicles, or
similar measures. He said that he was unsure if this topic had been discussed with the ARB, but
knew that these were very valuable assets.
Ms. Ragsdale said that she would allow the applicant to address that; however, she believed it
was not discussed at the ARB.
Mr. Bivins said that he could not identify which were Blocks A, B, C, D, and G on the plan. He
said that he did not believe they were included in the packet.
Ms. Ragsdale said that she thought it was. She said that it was from the Code of Development,
focusing on Neighborhood Models. She said that uses were determined by blocks, and A
represented the area anchored by the Trader Joe’s. She said that A was home to building 19,
while C was where the movie theater was. She said that to clarify, the layout consisted of A, C,
and B as commercial blocks, with an additional commercial block located in G.
Mr. Bivins asked if approving the proposal would not only benefit one vendor but also allow
another vendor located nearby to conduct sales there. He asked whether they could potentially
permit an additional vendor to participate without obtaining a special use permit.
Ms. Ragsdale said that yes, the rezoning was meant to allow such flexibility.
Mr. Bivins asked if they would allow staff to say no vehicle elevation as opposed to having to go
through the ARB.
Ms. Ragsdale said that the flexibility pertained to motor vehicle sales and was based on the
underlying use. She said that if a proposal ensured no visible vehicles from the entrance corridor,
it might not require revisiting ARB or the SP process. She said that the SP was very specific in
terms of the permitted vehicles, allowing 10 spaces in the reviewed location.
Mr. Bivins said that if another vendor or manufacturer sought to engage in direct-to-consumer
sales, they would need to secure additional parking spots allocated to them, as the current ten
spots are reserved exclusively for the expected dealership expansion.
Ms. Ragsdale said that there were ten approved spots for use by anyone who wanted to use
them.
Mr. Bivins asked if another manufacturer would have to get spots allocated to them.
Ms. Ragsdale said yes.
Mr. Bivins said that he was troubled by the fact that they needed to go to the ARB to get six
parking spaces. He said that as this was his neighborhood, he knew that there could be 20 Teslas
at any point in time over there. He said that by chance, they could have 20 Teslas parked in a
line. He said that the fact that they had to go to the ARB to get permission to park six Teslas next
to the structured parking for the movie theater felt like they had wasted a lot of people’s time as
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well as staff’s time and people’s money.
Mr. Bivins said that it was a parking lot, so at any point in time there could be at least 15 or 20
Teslas parked over there. He said that as they reconsidered this situation and the idea of what
constitutes sales and services in the ordinance, they must be flexible with a specific vendor type
that deviates from traditional automobile vendors. He said that they should not treat them the
same as, for example, L.L. Bean selling kayaks. He said that they needed to adapt their
ordinances to accommodate this new approach to direct-to-consumer sales.
Mr. Missel said that for the record, the ARB did review the kayaks on the L.L. Bean.
Ms. Ragsdale said that they indeed did, and she included it in the historical record.
Mr. Carrazana said that they had previously handled the outdoor display with the Home Depot.
Mr. Bivins said that in the future, he hoped that they could engage in a conversation with the ARB
so they may focus on matters not related to trivial issues. He said that Ms. Maliszewski would
keep him straight on this issue, but he believed they could use their time better.
Margaret Maliszewski, Planning Manager, said that they all agreed. She said with the zoning
ordinance changes, that their aim was to alter the requirement for a special use permit concerning
outdoor displays by replacing it with design standards. She said that these standards would
represent the typical conditions of approval.
Mr. Bivins said that they did not have that many outdoor displays, so perhaps they should address
the holiday displays. He said that they were all aware of the Frank Lloyd Wright building on Park
Avenue and 56th Street, where Mercedes and Porsche had their building. He said that while this
would not be that it would be taking over half of the Pier 1 spot, but the fact that times change and
Albemarle County should be able to change, too. He said that they would not be Frank Lloyd
Wright, but they could create some freedom for this new way for people to sell vehicles, and
Stonefield was a perfect place for that.
Mr. Missel opened the public hearing. He asked if the applicant would like to address the
Commission.
Steve Blaine said that he was representing Stonefield. He said that project manager Kendra
Wallsman was present as well. He said that he would confess that he did not have any unique
images because Ms. Maliszewski and Ms. Ragsdale had created exceptional slides, which he
used during the community advisory committee meeting and would not go through them again.
Mr. Blaine said that they were requesting the ZMA because they were amending the code of
development. He said that when they initially wrote the development code, they were less
experienced and perhaps more earnest. He said that Frank Cox and he were the authors of the
original code, and when considering an urban destination neighborhood model, they did not
envision a conventional auto dealership.
Mr. Blaine said that it was simple to categorize it as a special use permit. He said this was an
example of what Mr. Bivins had been discussing in regards to the evolution of business models.
He said that the Tesla business model, for instance, did not involve displaying numerous car
models on the floor. He said that in a way, it was a return to the past; when he was growing up in
Chicago, Mercedes and Cadillac dealerships showcased their vehicles in office building lobbies.
He said that they had come full circle.
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Mr. Blaine said that he concurred with the comments about the need for the ARB. He said that
Tesla initially applied on its own but withdrew after learning about the process. He said that
fortunately, Stonefield, along with the O'Connor Group, recognized the potential benefits and
brought them back into the project. He said that in that case, they had to resubmit the application.
He said that he understood and agreed with their stance on this matter. He said that consequently,
Tesla remained within the County rather than the City. He said that that was an example where it
could make a difference.
Mr. Bivins asked if Mr. Blaine could elucidate on whether there would be chargers at this location.
Mr. Blaine said that there would be additional chargers for the display models. He said that there
were currently six to eight Tesla chargers already present.
Mr. Missel asked if there were any members of the public who wished to speak on this item.
Seeing none, he asked the Clerk if there were any speakers signed up online.
Ms. Shaffer said that there were none.
Mr. Missel closed the public hearing and the matter rested with the Commission.
Mr. Moore said that he would find another parking spot when he visited the coffee shop.
Mr. Bivins said that to foster economic growth for shopping and commercial locations, they must
adopt a flexible approach to what constitutes commercial development. He said that this flexibility
is crucial as consumer behavior evolves over time. He said that by cultivating synergy and energy
at Stonefield, they could potentially attract high-quality businesses, benefiting the community. He
said that introducing diverse establishments, rather than focusing solely on vehicular traffic, can
serve as a model for their other shopping centers. He said that despite his lighthearted skepticism,
he genuinely believed in this strategy.
Ms. Firehock said that she supported the SUP and this development. She said that she recalled
her experience when she purchased her first car, a Chevy Nova, in an elevator-operated office
building in Bethesda. She said that it was efficient and space-saving. She said that she always
thought about the fact that the car dealerships at Pantops had the best views, yet they were
unappreciated because there were just a bunch of dead cars sitting out there. She said that she
would like to see more of this small-scale retail auto sales, and she was sure it would be quite
tasteful, so she had no concerns.
Mr. Bivins moved that the Planning Commission recommend approval of ZMA202300016 as
stated in the staff report. The motion was seconded by Mr. Murray.
Mr. Bivins said that he would request that when this item is brought before the Board of
Supervisors, the packet should contain the information regarding A, B, and C.
Mr. Missel said that Mr. Bivins’ request was noted. He called the vote for recommendation of
approval of ZMA202300016.
The motion passed unanimously (7-0).
SP202300019 Stonefield Outdoor Display/Storage
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Mr. Bivins moved that the Planning Commission recommend approval of SP202300019 as stated
in the staff report. The motion was seconded by Mr. Clayborne and passed unanimously (7-0).
Committee Reports
Mr. Bivins said that he had a CAC meeting last night, which involved information regarding the
budget, transportation project update, and a School Board update. He said that over 35
community members attended the meeting, making it one of the more well-attended budget
update sessions he had experienced throughout his years of involvement. He said that the three-
part presentation format seemed to be quite helpful in informing attendees, leading to a successful
event overall.
Mr. Moore said that the Rio Places 29 Community Advisory Committee convened, discussing a
proposal to expand Our Lady of Peace senior living facility. He said that the proposed addition
included a wing with several dozen memory care and nursing care private rooms.
Mr. Moore said that there was minimal objection, though some concerns were raised regarding
stormwater runoff into a pond situated behind Branchlands Drive. He said that Mr. Galloway had
been particularly concerned about this issue in the area, as increased runoff and flooding events
had occurred in the vicinity of Woodbrook and Branchlands due to increased development.
Mr. Bivins said that for the public’s awareness, the County had hired someone to assess the
intersection in question and examine the area where the old senior center once stood, at the
corner of Hillsdale and Greenbrier streets.
Mr. McDermott said that for clarification, it was not a road project. He said that Facilities and
Environmental Services was examining the stormwater management in that area to address that.
Mr. Moore said that he should have mentioned that staff time had been dedicated to the issue
and Mr. Galloway was working with them and the homeowners in the area.
Review of Board of Supervisors Meeting: April 3, 2024
Mr. McDermott said that the Board of Supervisors held a meeting on April 3, 2024. He said that
during this meeting, two public hearings were addressed: one concerning Service Dogs of Virginia
and another regarding Kentridge landscaping and rezoning. He said that both passed
unanimously with minor changes incorporated based on feedback received.
Mr. McDermott said that in the day work session, the Board discussed the Secondary Six Year
Plan, focusing on potential paving projects. He said that staff will present a final list of these
projects to the Board in May. He said that they also held a work session on AC44 community
facilities, goals, and objectives, resulting in a thorough discussion similar to previous ones. He
said that these were the primary items addressed by the Board during the meeting.
Mr. Murray said that after reviewing the meeting regarding the Secondary Six-Year Plan
improvements, he found it intriguing to hear some Supervisors' comments suggesting the
potential need to consider pedestrian usage and development impact on those roads. He asked
Mr. McDermott if he believed they should incorporate such information into the staff report this
year.
Mr. McDermott said that they could absolutely do that. He said that in the past, when roads have
been proposed for paving, their staff had consistently checked whether these roads were heavily
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used for recreational purposes such as hiking or biking. He said that moving forward, they
intended to address this issue more clearly in the updated comprehensive plan by identifying
roads with high recreational usage. He said that regarding development, these roads were
typically located in rural areas where there was little potential for additional development. He said
that if they became aware of any developments in the area, they would certainly highlight them in
their staff report.
Mr. Murray said that historically, numerous regions have remained undeveloped primarily due to
their gravel roads. He said that the prospect of constructing subdivisions in these areas was
minimal, as gravel roads acted as a deterrent for potential developers. He said that Fox Mountain
Road served as an illustrative example of this phenomenon. He said that following its inclusion
on the paving list, several properties along the road have been listed for sale. He said that if this
road got paved, it was reasonable to anticipate an influx of for-sale signs advertising the
picturesque mountain views.
Mr. Murray said that taking this into account, it was crucial to assess the development impact
associated with paving such roads and consider the potential upzoning implications. He said that
if a significant portion of the land along the road was under conservation easement, then no
development impact could be claimed. He said that however, if there were numerous
development rights in the vicinity, and most of the area remained undeveloped, it became
essential to include this aspect in the staff report. He said that failing to do so may result in a de
facto upzoning scenario that warranted careful examination.
Mr. Bivins asked which road Mr. Murray was referring to.
Mr. Murray said that he was referring to Fox Mountain Road, but that was only one example. He
said that they should be looking at that with all of these roads. He said that taking into account
the Rural Rustic Paving Proclamation's stipulation that no known development will cause
increased traffic, it was crucial to thoroughly analyze this aspect before the Board of Supervisors
signed it. He said that considering the data they possess for conducting this analysis, it should be
possible to make an informed decision about the impact.
AC44 Update
Mr. McDermott said that they presented the Board with information regarding community facilities.
He said that that was the last time they would go to the Board with goals and objectives. He said
that currently, they were focusing on developing action steps and finalizing a schedule for their
presentation.
Mr. McDermott said that this would be submitted to both the Planning Commission and the Board,
along with prioritized action steps and identified major projects. He said that a comprehensive
document covering these aspects would be prepared for the summer and fall season. He said
that as of now, no upcoming meetings were scheduled as they transitioned into this new phase.
Mr. Missel said that the Planning Commission’s next meeting was April 23. He asked when they
could expect work sessions on AC44 to begin coming back up.
Mr. McDermott said that he was unsure about that at the moment because they were currently in
the process of developing it. He said that he did not anticipate any developments within the next
month. He said that he believed that the next two Planning Commission meetings would be held
without any AC44 work sessions.
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Mr. McDermott said that, however, their schedule was undergoing changes. He said that they had
not fully discussed the revised schedule yet, but there were concerns regarding the scheduling
that necessitated reconsideration. He said that staff would update the Commission on the
complete schedule soon. He said that they expected work sessions would take place eventually,
but they were likely to occur during the summer rather than the remainder of spring.
Mr. Missel said that regarding the summer, he would ask that Commissioners let staff know if they
planned to be out, because it was going to be a busy year.
Ms. Shaffer said that she would update the invites she had sent out today, which she would do
tomorrow.
New Business
Mr. Bivins said that said that many of them had received information regarding a regional
economic development plan from the TJPDC. He said that it would be beneficial for the
Commission to hear more about that regional economic plan, as it was likely that several of its
components would affect their community. He said that as they progressed through this process,
gaining more knowledge about the TJPDC Regional Economic Development Plan seemed
important.
Mr. McDermott said that he would reach out to them for more information and potentially have
them provide a brief presentation on that.
Old Business
There was none.
Items for follow-up
There were none.
Adjournment
At 7:42 p.m., the Commission adjourned to April 23, 2024, Albemarle County Planning
Commission meeting, 6:00 p.m.
Michael Barnes, Director of Planning
(Recorded by Carolyn S. Shaffer, Clerk to Planning Commission & Planning Boards; transcribed
by Golden Transcription Services)
Approved by Planning
Commission
Date: 04/23/2024
Initials: CSS