HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-08-24
FIN A L
7:00 P.M.
August 24, 1994
Room 5/6, County Office Building
1) Call to Order.
2) Joint Meetinq with Planninq Commission.
a) Discussion: Community Vision Statement.
b) Discussion: Telephone Survey.
c) Discussion: Comprehensive Plan Schedule.
d) Other Matters Not Listed on the Agenda.
3 ) Ad j ourn .
TEN TAT I V E
7:00 P.M.
August 24, 1994
Room 5/6, County Office Building
1) Call to Order.
2) Joint Meetinq with Planninq Commission.
a) Discussion: Community Vision Statement.
b) Discussion: Telephone Survey.
c) Discussion: Comprehensive plan Schedule.
d) Other Matters Not Listed on the Agenda.
3) Adjourn.
Charlottesville
COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE
Office of Board of Supervisors
401 Mcintire Road
Charlottesville, Virginia 22902-4596
(804) 296-5843 FAX (804) 972-4060
Charles S. Martin
David P. Bowerman
Rivanna
Charlotte Y. Humphris
Jack Jouett
Walter F. Perkins
White Hal!
Forrest R. Marshall, Jr.
Scottsville
Sally H. Thomas
Samuel Mi1Ier
MEMORANDUM
TO: Robert W. Tucker, Jr., County Executive
V. Wayne Cilimberg, Director, Planning &
Community Development
FROM: Ella W. Carey, Clerk~
DATE: September 2, 1994
SUBJECT: Board Actions of August 24, 1994
At its meeting on August 24, 1994, the Board adopted the Community Vision-
ing Statement as proposed, provisionally, as a working document. The Board will use
and review this document as it goes through the update and study of the Comprehen-
sive Plan. The Board requested that all comments be attached to the Statement so that
it provides all additional information, feelings and thoughts by members of the public.
Following completion of the Comprehensive Plan process, the Board will revisit the
Statement and along with all the attached documents, attempt to develop a final
Community Visioning Statement that the University of Virginia, City of Charlottes-
ville and County of Albemarle can all agree upon.
EWC:mms
cc: Richard E. Huff, II
Roxanne White
Larry Davis
File
*
Printed on recycled paper
COlflfUNITY VISIONING
City of Charlottesville
Albemarle County
University of Virginia
A Statement of Values
We value a community made up of diverse individuals and groups who
recognize the community's unique history and culture; who adhere to principles
of justice, equity and respect; who practice stewardship of the natural and
the built environment as well as human resources; and who make public deci-
sions through an open democratic process.
A SUlflfARY OF OUR VISION
We visualize our c01lllllfHlity as one...
· that balances the natural and built environments and that has a
vital urban core surrounded by a rural area that remains predomi-
nantly green and open
· where each individual is valued and where all can live affordably
and safely
· that has a strong diversified economy with opportunities for local
businesses and meaningful jobs
· that values and provides quality education for all ages, voca-
tions, and abilities, and
· that has open and accessible governments which cooperate to
provide quality services economically.
Our Vision - Land Use Environmental Balance
Balanced development is the phrase that may best summarize what we seek
in the land use pattern of our community. We visualize both a strong and
vital urban core that acts as a magnet at the center of our community at the
same time that we seek a surrounding rural area that remains predominantly
green and open where farming can stabilize and perhaps return. We hope to
retain the feel of a town, a vibrant university town, rather than a large
city. We seek also to maintain a human scale rooted in strong neighborhoods.
We want to be a community that offers a variety of transportation modes to
provide convenient travel within and around the urban core and between the
core and outlying areas. The University will continue to be a defining
landmark in our community, so will the downtown, a reworked 29 North, and the
other entry corridors into the community. We want our growth to add to our
already built and planned communities and to strengthen, rather than compete
with what already exists. Growing within the limits of our resources is a key
concept in our attitudes about balancing development and the natural environ-
ment. Water resources, in particular, must be conserved and protected. Air
quality, too, is essential to maintaining the health and beauty of our area.
Beauty and aesthetics, including respect for our historic character and
resources, will be principles applied in judging our environment. We seek to
continue to be attractive and distinctive - because of this we expect to
attract visitors and new residents, but we do not want to exceed our ability
to extend a warm welcome.
Though we focus on our immediate community, we will also think in terms
of our larger region and the surrounding counties which orient toward Char-
lottesville, the University, and Albemarle County for many services, functions
and purposes.
Our Vision - social Well Being
How we share the benefits of our community, whether people feel they
have a fair chance to get ahead rather than be left behind, and how well we
communicate and listen to each other are all key components of our success.
We seek to reduce the problems of crime and drugs and to make every citizen
comfortable and secure about their personal safety. We seek to increase the
opportunities available to those who today have the least and to promote self-
reliance. We seek to provide housing that will allow anyone who works and
contributes their labor to the community to be able to live here. We seek to
improve race relations and to strengthen our sense of being one community. We
recognize that a variety of people are needed in a community and seek to value
each individual for their contribution to ours. We seek to extend our health
care to those who lack access. We seek to enrich our lives through strong
cultural resources.
Our Vision - Economic opportunity
It is the strength of the overall economy that provides jobs and tax
base and the means by which individuals, families, businesses and public
institutions are able to afford the type of community we envision. "Intelli-
gent growth" is the way one citizen described their vision of change in the
area. Intelligent economic growth provides our community with more meaningful
jobs - those with better salaries and a future; enables us to employ our
children who wish to stay in the area; contains a significant portion of
community based and locally owned business including agriculture and forestry;
and which keeps the community well positioned for advances in information and
other forms of technology. In dealings with potential business/industry, we
hope to be clear about what we seek and to pursue appropriate economic
opportunities. We will build on our past strengths but realize that the
educational component of the University of Virginia will expand only gradually
and that other University activities and other sectors will play a larger role
in the future. We hope to diversity both in industry and firm size in order
to become more recession proof in future years.
Our Vision - Educational Quality
Education has been a strength in our community and we seek to continue
that. We seek to maintain overall quality while we address the needs of many
different types of students - those going on to college and those going
directly to jobs, the pre-schooler, the adult learner and the career changer;
those who find learning to be difficult and those who need to be challenged.
Keeping our public schools matched with our community's needs, involving and
including parents and citizens, and paying for public education are the
biggest challenges now and in the future. The majority of our budgets at the
local government level will continue to go into education and so we must be
certain that our education system is performing in ways that provide essential
support for the social, economic, and other elements of this vision.
Our Vision - Government structure and Public Services
How we govern ourselves will play a key role in how well we achieve our
visions. We envision just and accountable government with affordable and
equitable taxes, quality services, results oriented activities, and open
deliberations and decision making. We look to government to be an innovator
and to be willing to reinvent itself when that is appropriate. We see a
number of possibilities between the City, the County, and the University, to
work together on employment, planning, education, transportation, public
safety, services and community involvement. We have created innovative
arrangements in the past (e.g., the revenue sharing agreement, PACC, joint
authorities for water, sewer, library, airport, etc.). We seek ways in the
future to continue innovating about how we are governed and provide services.
Possibilities include joint service districts, charter changes, new revenue
sources, consolidation of governments, reversion to town status and others.
~{ í ¿ -(,;c.¡
COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
AGENDA TITLE:
Community Visioning Statement
AGENDA DATE:
August 24, 1994
ITEM NUMBER:
q<f, U,.2 (I ';:,.-j I
INFORMATION:
ACfION: X
SUBJECfIPROPOSALIREOUEST:
Adoption by County of Albemarle
CONSENT AGENDA:
ACfION:
INFORMATION:
ATTACHMENTS:
STAFF CONT ACf(S):
Messrs. Tucker, Cilimberg
REVIEWED BY:
BACKGROUND:
The attached summarizes the results of the Community Visioning process conducted jointly by the County, City of Charlottesville
and University of Virginia. The Planning and Coordination Council has accepted the Visioning Statement and recommends each
jurisdiction adopt the statement and follow it as a common starting point in their respective Comprehensive Plans. The City of
Charlottesville has already adopted the Visioning Statement as recommended.
DISCUSSION:
Staff has received one letter of concern (attached) that there is no recognition of small towns within Albemarle County. The
Committee formulating the Visioning Statement had no intent to ignore the importance of small towns to the community. Such
places were considered to be a natural element of the land use and environmental balance. The Visioning Statement as offered
pre-supposes the County will incorporate the role of such places into its Comprehensive Plan.
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt the Visioning Statement as recommended by PACe. Such adoption recognizes the importance of neighborhoods, villages
and small towns to both the County and overall community with the understanding that the County will articulate the role of these
places as part of its Comprehensive Plan review.
VISIONIN.vWC
94.113
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Community Visioning*
CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE · .4LBElrL4RLE COUNTY · ù7lv7VERSITY OF Y7RGßI4.
I prefer the dream of the future to the history of the pest -- Thomas Jefferson
A Statement of Values
We value a community made up of diverse individuals and groups who recognize the
community's unique history and culture; who adhere, to principles of justice, equity and respect;
who practice stewardship of the natu.ral and the built environment as well as human resources;
and who make public decisions through an open democratic process.
A SVM3'L4.RY OF OUR v7SI01V
We visualize our community as one...
· that balances the natural and built environments and that has a vital urban core
surrounded by a rural area thatremJ:l;T1q predominantly green and open
· where each individual is valued and where all can live affordably and safely
· that has a strong diversified economy with opportunities for local businesses
and me8D.ÍD.gfuljobs
· that values and provides quality education for all ages, vocations, and
abilities, and
· t1;1.at has open and Rœessible governments which cooperate to provide quality
services economically.
Our Community: What We See Today
We see today that we reside in a
very livable community, one that
many visitors en....? We see an area
rich in history that has evolved as the
University of Virginia has grown.
We see Charlottesville and the
surrounding urban areas of the
County as focal points for many
diverse cultural, shopping, and
entertainment activities as well as
employment opportunities. We see
the natural environment, the rural
areas and the Blue Ridge Mountains
providing a "green frame" and open
space which enhances our
community core. Though our
community is within easy reach of
our national and our stat.. C3.pitals
and ot..'1er large cities, we retain a
small-town frlendliness and sense of
COI::I::lU¡Üty. We take pride in t.~e
overall quality of our local
governments and the services they
pro....ide at relatively low costs.
We also see that we need to
im':Jrove. V.¡e are concerned about
cri=-e, drugs and safety for our
citizens and visitors. Race relations,
affordable housing and poverty are
concerns. We see that unmanaged
growth can rnea.."1 sprawl but also, a
lack of growth can mea.."1 a loss of
eco~omic opportunity and stagnation.
We see our sc.11ools as bell-wethers of
our community and are concerned
abo'..:.t maintaining and paying for
hig~ quality education. We see
transportation needs growing as we
face increased traffic. We see a nèe¿
for greater cooperation oet-..veen the
city, county, and ù:niversity, as well
as between our community and th..
t .
.arger reg¡on.
We see a great deal of energy i.-_
our community. We are a
community - diverse in income, age,
length of residence, race and, m~ny
times, opinions. We view plann:-ng,
community involvement and act;ve
discussion as part of who and w:J.ac
we are.
The next twenty years are
c.-..lòal to what we wish to become.
* Recommended by PACC Policy Council to Governing Bodies of the City of
Charlottesville Albemarle County and University of Virginia
5/26/94
O[~R A.GE.l\7)A..: 1YHA.T VVE SEEK FOR TOlrfORROW
Five interrelated t...~emes make
u-;) our "key success factors" for the
n~xt twenty years or more. For some
of t:.s, one issue may stand out abo....e
tie others. For some, this is jobs.
For others, the o....erriding issue is the
C::.:1:.inued prot.ection of the
e:.·.-irorunent and the rural areas.
For some, education is the basic
foundation for being able to achieve
everything else. It is this diversity of
priorities which makes us a vital
community. Regardless of our
individual priorities, however, we
have agreed on five themes. They
are:
Land UseÆnvironmental Balance
· land uselen....ironmental balance
· social well being
· economic opportunity
educational quality
· go....ernment stn.lcture and public
services
Our challenge is to integrate
and balance these themes to
maintain a cohesive whole in our one
community.
)ur Vision
Balanced development is the phrase
t:1at maj' best summarize what we seek in the
land use pat"..em of our community. We
visualize both a s:r-ong and vital urban core
tat acts as a ma..,anet at the center of our
community at the same time that we seek a
S"..lITounding rural area that remains
Fedominantly green and open where
-I'a:-ming can stabjjj:z:e and perhaps return.
We hope to ret,ajn the feel of a town, a vibrant
t7niversity town, rather than a large city.
We seek also to maintain a human scale
Tooted in strong neighborhoods. We want to
be a community that offers a variety of
t-ansportation modes to provide convenient
t:-avel within and around the urban core and
between the core and outlying areas. The
tniversity win continue to be a àefuling
1a.."1¿mark in our community; so win 'fe
dov.-ntown, a reworked 29 North, and tr.e other
e.."1~ corridors into the commu.."1ity. We
want our growt.~ to add to our already built
1/
J
/I.
:3":rategic Questions
and planned communities and to strengthen.
rather than compete with what alread)" exists.
Growing within the limits of our resources is
a key concept in our attitudes about balancing
development and the natural environment.
Water resources, in particular, must be
conserved and protected. Air quality, too, is
essential to maintainin~ the health and
beauty of our area. Beauty and aesthetics.
including respect for our historic character
and resources, will be principles applied in
judging our environment. We seek to
continue to be attractive and distinctive·
because ofWs we expect to attract visitors
and new residents. but we do not want to
exceed our ability to extend a warm welcome.
Though we focus on our immediate
community, we will also think in terms of
our larger region and the sUITounding
counties which orient toward Charlottesville,
the University, and Albemarle Count)· for
, many services, functions and purposes.
In judging how wel1 we are d6ing, we wil1 ask ourselves. are we . . .
protecting our historical and cultural heritage?
strengthening the urban core?
building on established areas?
planning for future groW1h?
pr~tec:ing the rural areas and o;=e:1 space?
maintaining a human scale?
reenforcing the downtown?
protecting and improving 29 and other entry corridors?
gaining strength from new growth by complimenting existing development?
staying within the limi!s of our resources?
improving the aesthetics and bea:Jty of our community?
maintaining those qualities that make us attractive to residents
and visitors?
Wç,r1{.:"1; '"yith ~t~2 :ar;er -~....-....
SelectOO. Comments
(The fol1owing are selected from
comments offered by individuals attending
the two Forum meetings. In some instances,
they have been edited for form or length.)
I especially l1alue the open. space, the
l1iews, the architecture, the rural roads, the
mountains a.n.d. the access to them.
I like the Downtown Mall the way it is
free of cars and Lee and Jackson Parks - at
the Unil1ersity I appreciate the libraries, the
Bayly, the music programs a.n.d. the medical
center.
We must imprOl1e the iruter city.
We mu.st stop wasting 14nd - we mu.st
cluster del1elopment.
We must prol1id4 the Î11fra.st.ructure to
allow denser del1elopmen.t.
Sometimes our laws discourage what we
want most.
It appears that "big buswss· has great
clout a.n.d. CClt get ju.st about anything they
want.
The City is the center of the community -
we hal1e a responsibility to susta.in. &-'tis
function.
UVA's growth along Main. Street needs to
be handled carefully.
We need to bring more peopú to
downtown a.n.d. resist 29 becoming the center
of the world.
It is still a place of great nc:tural beaut)'.
Social Well Being
Our Vision
How we share t.'-Ie bene5ts of our
community, whet.'-Ier people feel they have a
fair chance to get ahead rather t..'-Ian be left.
behind. and how well we communicate and
listen to each other are all key components 0:
our success. We seek to reduce the problems
of crime and drugs and to make every citize
comfortable and secure about their personal
safety. We seek to increase the opportunitie:
available to those who today have the least
and to promote self·reliance. We seek to
provide housing that win allow anyone who
Strategic Ques::iODS
wor~ a.nd contribute6 their labor to the
~om::::unity to be able to live here. We seek to
Improve ra~ relations and to strengthen our
sense of bemg one community. We
re<:ogni:::e that a variety of people are needed
in a community and seek to value each
indi...-idua1 for their contribution to ours. We
seek to er..end our health care to those who
lack access. We seek to enrich our lives
through strong cultural resources.
In judging how wen we are doing, we will ask ourselves, are we . . .
reducing crime and drug use?
improving social justice and equity?
improving communications and understanding among diverse individuals and
groups?
increasing the number of households able to rise out of poverty?
narrowing the gap between the least well off and the most well off households?
increasing the supply of affordable housing?
prcviding needed social services?
addressing the needs of special populations?
supporting cultural and recreational opportunities for all?
increasing feelings of being one community?
Economic Opportunity
Selected Comments
· . We m.ust proùct 01lJ city from. drugs er..c
ulOkll.Ce and abuse to women cuui chilbcr..
· We should be kn.own a.s a community
with. 11.0 tolerance for drugs anG crime. .
· I look for..uard to seeÚtg t~ time agair.
w~n you haue 11.0 fear to wcúk eny street c..:
night.
We need equal housi.ng for all. We aLso
need to strengthen our neighborhood
essocia:ions.
In a community wi.th so much wealth,
there still is pouer.y . this concerns me!
Segregation of economic and ethnic
groups is still a signiftCant probkm in
Charlottesville.
We ere still la.ck.Útg in terms of real
Úttegration of the black community.
· We need to redJ.ce t.lu number of -have
11.0"- . and I don't mean by forcÚtg them au:
Individuals need ec.o1l.Omic security a.s c
ba.seline in their lilies.
Some of 01lJ youth feel MpekssTt.C$S.
InstiU pride!
· Until peopk can ru:apt differen.as and
1D0r~ for compromi.se, peopk will wa.ste a lo:
of ~ fighting i.n.sùad of cor.$tr~i.ve!y
gettUlll something done.
Our VISion
I t is the strength of the overall
economy that provides jobs and tax base and
the means by which individuals, families,
businesses and public institutions are able to
afford the type of community we envision.
"Intelligent grO'l\-t.h" is the way one citizen
described their vision of change in the area.
Intelligent economic growth provides our
community with more meaningful jobs·
those with better salaries and a future;
enables us to employ our children whe wish to
stay in the area; contains a signjficant
portion of community based and locally
owned business including agriculture and
Strategic Questions
forestry; and which keeps the community
well positioned for advances in information
and other forms of technology. In dealings
with potential businesstindustry, we hope to
be dear about what we seek and to pursue
appropriate economic opportunities. We will
build on our past strengths but realize that the
educational component of the University of
Virginia will expand only gradually and
that other University activities and other
sectors will playa larger role in the future.
We hope to diversify both in industry and
firm si::e in order to become more recession
proof il'l future years.
In judging how well we are doing. we will ask ourselves, are we
maintaining steady low unemployment?
providing a mix of job opportunities for people of various
skills/educational levels?
maintaining a strong tax base?
retaining and supporting existing businesses?
encouraging new locally owned. minority and s:':1all business/industries?
taking advantage of research and related opportunities available because of the
University?
taki:1g advantage of tourism and other opportunities?
suC'ooning tr3ci:iona[ agric"Jlt"Jral and forestal ~usinesses"
-:"::'. '2~:::;"'::::C: 'J;":~ :::~:-:í"7":;;: ':Jse :'1 :~;:;e:¡;, ç :.-':':~ "::;:8:::
bC$¡r:e$s..'JnCLs~r1i wr.ic:'i can contíibute the ;TICS: :0 the ar¿~?
panlcipating in regional economic and job deveic;:JmenV
If 31nlng a:JprC3ches"
.-----------
Selected Comments
· If you don't have ajob, you can.'t cere
about anythÚtg else.
· Our children do not have the same
oppor.UlIuies for weU paying jobs that we
once had.
We need jobs jor all Útcome levels.
· We may only have. a 3% unemp[()yrr..er.:
rate but:hat doesn't ~flect the loss of jobs :he
area ha.s e::perienced in recent years.
· We should build up jobs of qualitj', no:
quantity, and attract jobs which improve ,r..l!
community.
· We should promote small bu.siness =c.
local intles'~nt that stays lccal.
We should be very =utwus in our
·sellir.g- of !his area· IDe sMuld pick and
ch.cose aM not -seU our souls. -
Re¡f.oncl ,growth is the best grou::J:. . we
sr.ouldn·: forge: our SUl7"our,.¿ing c.-eC.5.
Money is n.ot going i.n the right direc:ior.
this is an agricultural cour':y end people c.-c
not stimulated to contin.ue Út ferrr.ing.
. We must provide job oppor.:.....iti.es ¡or
tÌ&.ose who are not colkge educ:lted.
. Education and the economy arc lÙ1.k.cd
PVCC will p14y a role. . .
Educational Quality
Our V¡sioa
Educa~¡on has bee:1 a strength in 0=
communi~y and we seek w continue that..
We seek to maintain overall quality while
we address the needs of many different types
of students - those going on te college and
those going directly to jobs; the pre-schooler,
the adult learner and the career changer;
those who find learning w be difficult and
~h.ose who need te be chalIenged. Keeping
ou.r public schools matched with our
Strategic Questions
community's needs, involving and
inc:luding parents and citizens, and paying
for public education are the biggest
challenges now and in the future. The
majority of our budgets at the local
government level will continue te go into
education and so we must be certain that our
education system is performing in ways that
provide essential support for the social,
economic, and other elements of this vision.
In judging how well we are doing, we will ask ourselves, are we . . .
challenging all learners to their highest potential?
maintaining overall quality?
addressing the needs of the college bound and the job bound student?
addressing pre-school as well as adult learner needs?
providing specialized services for those who need them?
fully utilizing school facilities?
linking public education at all levels with community needs (parents.
employers, community groups)?
providing sufficient funding within the ability of the community?
creating a sense of one community through our schools?
Selected Co=ents
· The sense of community be¡ins ilt
school.
· School buildings should ser.:e a lJariety of
community functions.
· Kids are the future.
· We recently mOlJed here from Richmond
and we rU1.d much less fighting and
negatilJe competitilJeness here. Schools here
are raci4lly dilJerse.
· We look too much to teachers to deal with
social problems· the home MeC::S to get more
inlJollJed.
· Parents who need w go to school or to work
need affordable child care.
· Educati..on must address socio-economic
disparities.
· I wmlld like to see UV A open up more to
the community.
· We halJe an agin.g populati..on . they must
keep up their support for educati..on..
· Our community and our schools should
restore optimism and encourage
adlJancement.
· We lUed to challenge our studems with
questions about the future.
Government StruCture and Public Services
Our Vision
·r
How we govern ourselves win playa
key role in how well we achieve our visions.
We envision just and accountable
government with affordable and ec~table '
taxes, quality services, results oriejted
activities, and open deliberations and
decision making. We look w government to
be an innovater and to he willing to reinvent
itself when that is appropriate. We see a
number of possibilities between the City, the
Count;y, and the University w work together
on employment, plannin{;', education,
:'ransportacion, public safety, services and
community involvemenc. We have created
Strategic Questions
innovative arrangements in the past (e.g.,
the revenue sharing agreement, PACC, joint
authorities for water, sewer, library. IÜrport,
etc.). We seek ways in the future to continue
innovating about how we are governed and
provide serl'Ìces. Possibilities include joint
service districts, charter changes, new
rever,ue sources, consolidation of
governments, reversion to town status and
others.
In judging how well we are doing, we will ask ourseIves, are we . . .
meeting citizen needs?
man~~ing our resources effectively?
providing quality services?
seeking innovative solutions to our concerns?
monitoring results and adjusting activities accordingly?
seeking Continuous ~mmunity invOlvemer.:?
C:Jns:cering way:> to cxpera:e and communicate eflec:ively between the City,
County, and UnIversity, as we!! as with the larger region?
Selected Q>mments
It really does begin. with ecu:h of us.
CharlctteslJille and Albemarle can be a
model for other ,commun.ities.
· Good public Sertliœs at/rat:: people.
· The techn.ology of the future will maU
the present form of gOlJern.ment obsolete.
· The City and Cour.ty are cirifiin.g further
apart - these Visi..onin.g Forums are their lest
chance to cooperate. There is sentiment
for the City to relJert to Town status.
· We need one gOlJernment that in.cludes
the whole region, rwt just Char!.tJtteslJille and
Albemarle.
· Social equity requires some kind of
con.sol idGotion.
· GOlJernment can act as a facilitator - it
doesn't always halJe to be the prolJider.
.4..!l our problem.s are resolvable with will,
energy. and honesty.
· I hope that 20 years from rww I can still
tell others what a wonderful comm:mity
CharlotteslJille I ALbemarle is.
f hope our gra.n.dcltildren will see this
area as beautif'J.L and prosperous GoS it is n.ow_
PLANNING AND COORDINA TION COUNCIL (PACC)
Community Visioning
CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE * ALBEMARLE COUNTY * UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
May 27, 1994
TO: Members of City Council
City of Charlottesville
P. O. Box 911
Charlottesville, VA 22902
Albemarle County Board of Supervisors
Albemarle County Office Building
401 Mcintire Road
Charlottesville, VA 22901
University of Virginia Board of Visitors
University of Virginia
P. O. Box 9027
Charlottesville, VA 22906
We would like to forward to you the Community Visioning Statement developed jOintly
by the City of Charlottesville/Albemarle CountyjUniversity of Virginia staff and citizens. The
process included: two community forums, attended by approximately 400 people; results of
a questionnaire to invitees to the forums; results of previous visioning efforts of the
community; and suggestions by the Vision Advisory Committee representing a wide
spectrum of our community (see attached).
The Planning and Coordination Council (PACC) feels that the attached document
represents an excellent statement of community vision to be followed by all three
jurisdictions as a common starting point in their Comprehensive Plans. Each jurisdiction is
asked to include this at the start of their Comprehensive Plan and respond to this Vision
Statement and questions as appropriate for each jurisdiction. .
The PACC Policy Council requests that City Council, Board of Supervisors and Board
of Visitors adopt this Vision Statement and ask that it be followed by each jurisdiction. Once
each jurisdiction's governing bOdy adopts this statement, the PACC Policy Coouncil will adopt
this as a common vision statement for the whole community. We would request your early
adoption of an feedback on this important document.
'ðftf;£
City Manager
City of Charlottesville
C9unty Executive
Albemarle County
. ~!:H
Leonard Sandndge
Executive Vice President &
Chief Financial Officer
University of Virginia
-- ----
c_-
Cole Hendrix
Mr. Satyendra Singh Huja
Director of Planning and Community Development
P. O. Box 911
Charlottesville, Virginia 22902
Mr. Tom Leback
Office of the Architect for the University
The Rotunda
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, Virginia 22903
Mr. Wayne Cilimberg
Director of Planning and Community Development
Albemarle County Office Building
401 Mcintire Road
Charlottesville, Virginia 22901
Mr. Gary O'Connell
Deputy City Manager
P. O. Box 911
Charlottesville, Virginia 22902
Representative of County Executive Office
Albemarle County Office Building
401 Mcintire Road
Charlottesville, VA 22901
VISION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
(0) 971-3182
(0) 924-6015
(0) 296-5823
(0) 971-3101
(0) 296-5841
Ms. Susan W. Lewis
1615-B Amherst Street
Charlottesville, VA 22903
Representative of Planning Commission
Albemarle County Offfice Building
401 Mcl ntire Road
Charlottesville, VA 22901
Ms. Betty Page
Federation of Neighborhood Association
2308 Crestmont Avenue
Charlottesville, VA 22903
Mr. Robert Hauser
Blue Ridge Homebuilders Association
2788 Hydraulic Road
Charlottesville, VA 22901
Ms. Lois Rochester
League of Women Voters
103 Shawnee Court
Charlottesville, VA 22901
Ms. Colette Capone
Vice President for Management and Budget
Madison Hall
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA 22903
Ms, Sheila Jackson
President of NAACP
2614 Huntington Road
Charlottesville, VA 22901
(0) 296-7185
(0) 296-5823
(h) 293-9595
(0) 973-3377
(h) 973-2795
(0) 924-3349
(0) 980-7481/7204
* Executive Committee
, .
Citizens for Albemarle, Inc.
Box 3751 University Station
Charlottesville, Virginia 22903
16 August, 1994
Walter F. Perkins, Chairman
Albemarle County Board of Supervisors
401 Mcintire Road
Charlottesville, VA 22901
Dear Walter:
As you are aware, Citizens for Albemarle has an established interest in vIsioning
processes in our community. In previous years we have cosponsored community visioning
forums. This past winter, many our members attended the two forums sponsored by
Albemarle County, the City of Charlottesville and the University of Virginia.
We have concerns about the processes that were followed in conducting these two
forums and in generating a vision summary document. Since this document will in some way
be incorporated into the new Albemarle County Comprehensive Plan, we regard the content
of the vision summary document as a serious matter.
Enclosed is a statement of our concerns regarding processes involved in generating the
26 May, 1994 "Comprehensive Visioning" document. Also enclosed is our suggested
revision of the "Comprehensive Visioning" document. We have moved the statment of values
into the summary, we have revised the text in the bulleted statements on the first page of the
original and have added a new bulleted statement dealing with the stabilization of our
population size. All else has been eliminated.
It is our understanding that the vision summary document will be discussed at the joint
meeting of the Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission scheduled for 24 August. I am
writing to ask that this letter and these enclosures be distributed to members of the Board and
Commission prior to the joint meeting.
I also am writing to ask that Citizens for Albemarle be allowed a few minutes at this
meeting to discuss its concerns regarding the visioning process and to explain our suggested
revisions to the summary document.
17 - 19 August. Thank you for your consideration.
SincereIY~///J
-þ~ (d¿~;~~L/
Tom Olivier
President
804/831-2408
~
J
Citizens for Albemarle
16 August, 1994
COMMENTS ON THE PROCESS USED TO DEVELOP
THE MAY 26, 1994
II COMPREHENSIVE VISIONING II DOCUMENT
We are delighted that the three primary administrative units of our community-
- the city, the county and the university -- agreed to seek a common "Comprehensive
Vision" that would constitute the foundation for planning of the next twenty years.
And we commend the decision to solicit public input in developing the common
vision.
We believe, however, that the process of obtaining and utilizing local residents'
opinions was flawed, creating the illusion of public input without adequately reflecting
the views of many of the people who participated hopefully.
First, there was no opportunity for the public to provide fundamental criticism
of the process by which the "Comprehensive Visioning" document was produced.
The procedure was strictly controlled by the PACC Technical Committee, the
Executive Committee of the Common Vision Advisory Committee, and the leaders of
the visioning forums in January and February 1994.
Second, in the process of reducing the sizable and disparate public input at the
forums to manageable categories, the public was not involved. It is obvious that this
categorization -- and the labeling of the categories -- determines the structure and tone
for the results. This step is the essence of the whole exercise, for the individual
elements can be arranged to suit nearly any purpose and to justify nearly any
preconceived notion. The neglect of public participation in this step has led to the
appearance, rather than the reality, that the final document represents the structure
of the ideas that emerged from the public.
Third, many ideas -- including worthwhile ones -- got lost in the winnowing of
input into the categories. Some of the best ideas and most creative proposals heard
by our members were left out of the summaries, or homogenized in the synthesis, or
stated in different words that changed their meaning so that they became trivial.
Fourth, the priorities identified by the public ( through the assignment of colored
dots) were not reflected in the document.
· .
Fifth, at the first forum no one was allowed to do visioning of what we all
should want for the whole community twenty years from now. Instead, participants
were asked to voice their "concerns" abou the present. From an analysis of factors
in these "concerns" ( not visions), five themes were selected by the leader of the
forum. At the second forum, visioning was allowed only on these themes. The result
is five fragments of a vision of our future -- not a summary vision. Also, the focus in
the visioning process of "what we see today" distracts from statements about what
we wish to see in the future.
Sixth, the statement of values was tacked on the last ( extra) meeting of the
advisory committee. The meeting occurred on Good Friday, and only one voting
representative of any community organization was present. Although we agree with
most of the statement, neither it nor its components were on the agenda for
discussion at any session of the two forums, nor any regular session of the advisory
committee or the PACC.
Seventh, the general public had no input in the format/structure of the draft
report. The inclusion of the selected comments and strategic questions, for example,
might have been modified or eliminated in the interests of brevity and focus.
Eighth, it is unfortunate that the Advisory Committee was not permitted to
discuss the final document before it was distributed through the PACC. Indeed, even
the PACC did not carefully discuss the structure or content of the draft despite the
imprimatur on the 5/26/94 version stating "Recommended by the PACC Policy Council
to governing bodies of the City of Charlottesville, Albemarle County and University of
Virginia" .
Ninth, the public has not yet been asked to participate in a public review of the
document and affirm or deny its overall agreement.
Tenth, the goal of the process changed from developing a common vision which
would be a system of commitments, to developing a list of questions without an
implication 'of commitments. This radical methodological change was made in the
last two meetings of the Advisory Committee, to which the public was not invited.
In conclusion, we believe the process should have been more open, democratic
and methodologically appropriate to determine the content of an interjurisdictional
community vision statement that will help guide our community in the coming years.
The process that has occurred cannot be substituted for the normal community input
process for any public document: public hearings, work sessions, letters, media
comment and oral conversations, etc. This normal public process allows individuals
to criticize and make proposals which are weighed in the final product. This normal
process should now begin in order to produce the vision statement we all need.
~ .... .
Citizens for Albemarle Suggested Summary Vision Revision
16 August, 1994
City of Charlottesville
Albemarle County
University of Virginia
A SUMMARY OF OUR VISION
A Statement of Values
We value a community made up of diverse individuals and groups who recognize the
community's unique history and culture; who adhere to principles of justice, equity and
respect; who practice stewardship of the natural and built environments; who improve human
aspirations and resources and who make public decisions through an open democratic
process.
We envision our community as one ...
· that balances the cultural environment within the natural environment
and that has a vital urban core surrounded by a rural area that
remains green and open
· that values each individual and is a place where all residents can live
affordably and safely
· that has begun effective but noncoercive steps to stabilize its population
at a size that is supportable by forecasted ground and surface water
supplies and that is consistent with preservation of our natural resources
and quality of human life.
· that has a strong diversified economy with opportunities for local
businesses and meaningful jobs, with assisted training to foster
economic advancement by minorities
· that values and provides quality education for all ages, vocations,
abilities, and ethnic groups, and
· that has open and accessible governments which cooperate to ensure
social tranquility and provide quality services economically.
.
'..
PIEDMONT ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL
Protecting The EnviromllCTlt 1s £ueryIJOd.y's H ,sítll'$~
August 18, 1994
Mrs. Sally Thomas
AJbemarle County Board of Supervisors
901 West Leigh Drive
Charlottesville, Virginia 22901
Dear Mrs. Thomas,
An examination of the transcripts of public comments from the two Vision Forums as
well as the results of the survey done in conjunction with this process indicates that
certaio areas of public concern or interest, relating to land use and the environment, have
not been adequately represented in the Common Vision Statement, 1ne Vision
Statement, as it relates to "'Land Use/Environmental Balance", reads:
Bnlanced deoelopment i. the phrase thnt may best sllpnmarize what we ,ed< ill tht!
laud ,ise pattern of our comrtumity. We vi$wdize both a strollg a'ld vital lirbar' core that acts as
a magnet at the center of our commlinity at the tll1lne til1ft tltat we seek a surr(1Jmdi'l~ rural aren
th~t wTtnills predominantly green al1d open where farmi1lg can stabilize alld perhaFJS relltru. .
We hope to retaÎ1r the feel of a town, a fJibrtlHt U'liver'Îty tOUlll, rather tholl a lar~e çity. We
$e£k also to maintain a human scale rooted in strong neighborhoods. We wanl to be Q
éOl7t77JUJlity that offers Q variety of tra'''portation modes to provide (':()tlVcTlient travel within
a1ld (J.roulId the urb(J.n core and between the core and outlying areas. TIle Ut,ivcrsíty wl11
C01lti'lIIe to be a defining landTT1llrk in OIIT community; so will the downtown, a reworked 29
North, a"d the other entry corridors into the cO'rrmumity. We want our growth to add .to olir
already btÛlt and planned cOTl1mu.nities IInd to strengthen, rather that' compete with "that
already exists, Growing JÞithin the limits of ollr reSources ill a key co,~cept in our attitudes
ab(Hd balancing deøelopmttrt and the natur(J.l tntlirorrment. Water resources, in partic.rdar,
must be conserved and protected. A.ir quality, toe, is essential to mtÛntainin8 the he'tllth alld
beauty of oUr area. Be4~ty Ilnd aesthètìcs, including respect for our historic character and
res()IiTctø, will be principles applied in judging C)llT environment. We seek to cQt,tinr~e ·to be
attractive and distinc.tive - because of this UJC: expect to attract visitors Qud neVJ resÚte,its, bllt
we do n9t want to exceea our abiliry to e:de7ld a wtlrrn Øe1coIHC.
. Though we focus on our immediate community, we will also think in terms of (IIII' larger
reglot' 471d the surrounding counties which orieflt toward Charlottesville, t1 (~ Ulliocrsit 1/. mId
Albemarle County foT nlany seTPices, functi9ns and plHposes, -
The following public comments and concerns are not seem 'adequately represented i.n the
above statement; .
... Avoid sprawl" .
There were a number of comments during the two forums expressing
T">
~....n ,,,,
_. . ~ I '....
\'....,...¡"¡.,, ""-þ' 10(~ 1-/f,·:t._·:(¡j7_):l,~q Ir"~y ~4q-")rJ()")
-.--,. .....----- "
'1
Aug\1Bt 18, 1994
PAge 2
COI1cerns about "sprawl". A desire for "no spraw1" was directly expressed. 137
out of the approximately 200 survey responses indicate cortcerns about sprawl
and growth. The compilation of the survey results distributed by the Ins~itute
for Environmental Negotiation notes the "pattern of development descrtbed
as 'sprawl' is the most frequent growth issue". De~pite t1ús strong respoß..'5e,
the Vision Statement only barely alludes to the desirability of eliminating or
containing " sprawl" .
"StT~SS den$er d~yelopment pø~~"
The forums produced a num~r of comments indicating a need for more
dense development patterns. Survey results indicate that one of the
respondents' most important priorities was II growth management and
com.pact development." In fact, this item was mentioned more often than
any other item in all the broad categories discussed. The Vision Statement'
alludes to this desire through only two 1/ selected comments". These
COlnments are:
. "We must stop wasting land ~ we must cluster development."
· "We must provide the infrastructure to allow dense!'
development. "
These sentiments are not clearly represented in the "Vision" itself.
"Planned growth"
Many comments indicate an awareness of the need for active planning in
order to achieve the community's desired results. The role of planning jn the
area's future is not addressed in the Statement.
IIÇhannel growth into growth areas. restrict growth Íll other areas" .
The Vision Statement does not clearly reflect sentiments such as these which
indicate a desire for limiting development to planned areas.
Concern about .. aggressive pursuit of.. ~owtb."
Participants in the first forum objected to the "aggressive pursuit of growth"
in the area. This concern, or a vision which mitigates it, is not reflec'ted in the
Vision Statement.
Land as a finite 1\atu.ral reSQVIce
Both air and water resources, and a concern for them, are reflected in the
Vision Statement. Nowhere does it mention, as participants in the foruIh.<;
did, that land is also a valuable resource which waITlII1bs the same concenl as
either water or air.
-Þ._.___..___
. .. ..- .-.--.---
--. ..... .-.-.--.-.----....-
.....;.,............
August 18, 1994
Page 3
We recommend the following revised vision statement be used because it reflects more
accurately the public input collected during the proces~.
8alatlced deoelopment is the "hrflsc ll¡at mrry besl summarize what t41e seek ill HIe
lt1l1d IIse pattern of our commrmity. We visllalize both a strong l111d vital ~rbQn C(lre Hlal acts as
a maplet at the' Cßufer of our community at the same time that we $eek a surrolmdillg rtfral area
that re,nain, predominantly green and Opetl whcre farmiflg carl stabilize and per·haps relllr".
We hope to retain the feel of Q town, R fJibrant University tawIl, rather aum a large dty. We
seek also to maintain a humarl scale rooted ilt strong neighborho{)ds. We wa"t to be Q
COln7ntittity t1,lal offel'$ a rJariety of tralfsporlatieH/ modes to prom"de COllven;Cllt travel wit1fÌl1
arid around the urban core and between the core and olltlyitlg areas. The Utliuersíly will
. c01Iti IIÚ fo be a defining landmaTk in our comlT/unity; so will the doumtowtl, a rew01'ked 29
North, and the other entry corridors into the community. We UJlwt our grDwth to add ta our
already built arid plQ'lrled communities and 10 strerlgfllen, 1'ather that! carnpl!te with what
al1'cady exists. )his presumes active platHliu~ which prolr1!llä..bi.J:MI-.dwiil,Jl--!f~.dQ¡!m.C1lJ
ÍJLx.rowth areas and limits fTaV'lh in tural 'f1.&as. 1J we_1l.lJU:LÌlI_l~~...mn..s:.lJ.1.Úß.ill
~sprawl" develòpmenf Growing within t~ limits (If our rcsources is a key concept in 011 r
attiludcs about balancitlg dt:rJelopment and the natural enfJironment. lla1h...iunÙ..Jß1J.LßIIJ!
Il'aler re5C1W~e9 are s;gni.ficant and must be çotl5erv~4 and proudJ:L Air quality, too, is
fsst!tltial to maÌ1ltaining the helllth ant! beafl.ty of o~r Mea. Beauty a11d aesthetics, z,¡c1ucfil1g
respect for our historic character and resources, will bt principles applied iu judging our
environment. We leek to continue to be attractitle and distinctive - be~QlIse of this we expect to
flttract visitors Rm! new residents, ht we do not want to t:Xceed our ability to ulend (1 warm
welcolrtt. Thecefore. IIn auressive PlJnfLÌt of growth Is ill&(pprol1rlale"
Though we focus on our immediate commu1fity, we will also thillk i" terms of our larger
regio,t Rnd the surroundins counties which orielll tðward Charlottesville, the l1l1iversity, and
Albemarle County foT mRny services, tunctiu", aud put'po8eð.
Please call me if you would like to discuss t1ùs issue further.
Sincerely,
&~;~
Babette 1110rpe
..:
Citizens for Albemarle, Inc.
Box 3751 University Station
Charlottesville, Virginia 22903
16 August, 1994
Walter F. Perkins, Chairman
Albemarle County Board of Supervisors
401 Mcl ntire Road
Charlottesville, VA 22901
r>
o
Dear Walter:
As you are aware, Citizens for Albemarle has 'an established interest in vIsioning
processes in our community. In previous years we have cosponsored community visioning
forums. This past winter, many our members attended the two forums sponsored by
Albemarle County, the City of Charlottesville and the University of Virginia.
We have concerns about the processes that were followed in conducting these two
forums and in generating a vision summary document. Since this document will in some way
be incorporated into the new Albemarle County Comprehensive Plan, we regard the content
of the vision summary document as a serious matter.
Enclosed is a statement of our concerns regarding processes involved in generating the
26 May, 1994 "Comprehensive Visioning" document. Also enclosed is our suggested
revision of the" Comprehensive Visioning" document. We have moved the statment of values
into the summary, we have revised the text in the bulleted statements on the first page of the
original and have added a new bulleted statement dealing with the stabilization of our
population size. All else has been eliminated.
It is our understanding that the vision summary document will be discussed at the joint
meeting of the Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission scheduled for 24 August. I am
writing to ask that this letter and these enclosures be distributed to members of the Board and
Commission prior to the joint meeting.
I also am writing to ask that Citizens for Albemarle be allowed a few minutes at this
meeting to discuss its concerns regarding the visioning process and to explain our suggested
revisions to the summary document.
rl,~:o~e,that I will be away
/ ,
/' "
17 - 19 August. Thank you for your consideration.
Ene!.
,
.~
'"
/
/
/
/"
/
//
Sincerely,/.------~
-----¡;:::~ (d~!C~~L~j
Tom Olivier
President
804/831-2408
/"
/
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
<---------__J
í:' ..
Citizens for Albemarle
16 August, 1994
COMMENTS ON THE PROCESS USED TO DEVELOP
THE MAY 26, 1994
II COMPREHENSIVE VISIONING II DOCUMENT
We are delighted that the three primary administrative units of our community-
- the city, the county and the university -- agreed to seek a common "Comprehensive
Vision" that would constitute the foundation for planning of the next twenty years.
And we commend the decision to solicit public input in developing the common
vision.
We believe, however, that the process of obtaining and utilizing local residents'
opinions was flawed, creating the illusion of public input without adequately reflecting
the views of many of the people who participated hopefully.
First, there was no opportunity for the public to provide fundamental criticism
of the process by which the "Comprehensive Visioning" document was produced.
The procedure was strictly controlled by the PACC Technical Committee, the
Executive Committee of the Common Vision Advisory Committee, and the leaders of
the visioning forums in January and February 1994.
Second, in the process of reducing the sizable and disparate public input at the
forums to manageable categories, the public was not involved. It is obvious that this
categorization -- and the labeling of the categories -- determines the structure and tone
for the results. This step is the essence of the whole exercise, for the individual
elements can be arranged to suit nearly any purpose and to justify nearly any
preconceived notion. The neglect of public participation in this step has led to the
appearance, rather than the reality, that the final document represents the structure
of the ideas that emerged from the public.
Third, many ideas -- including worthwhile ones -- got lost in the winnowing of
input into the categories. Some of the best ideas and most creative proposals heard
by our members were left out of the summaries, or homogenized in the synthesis, or
stated in different words that changed their meaning so that they became trivial.
Fourth, the priorities identified by the public ( through the assignment of colored
dots) were not reflected in the document.
Fifth, at the first forum no one was allowed to do visioning of what we all
should want for the whole community twenty years from now. Instead, participants
were asked to voice their "concerns" abou the present. From an analysis of factors
in these "concerns" ( not visions), five themes were selected by the leader of the
forum. At the second forum, visioning was allowed only on these themes. The result
is five fragments of a vision of our future -- not a summary vision. Also, the focus in
the visioning process of "what we see today" distracts from statements about what
we wish to see in the future.
Sixth, the statement of values was tacked on the last ( extra) meeting of the
advisory committee. The meeting occurred on Good Friday, and only one voting
representative of any community organization was present. Although we agree with
most of the statement, neither it nor its components were on the agenda for
discussion at any session of the two forums, nor any regular session of the advisory
committee or the PACC.
Seventh, the general public had no input in the format/structure of the draft
report. The inclusion of the selected comments and strategic questions, for example,
might have been modified or eliminated in the interests of brevity and focus.
Eighth, it is unfortunate that the Advisory Committee was not permitted to
discuss the final document before it was distributed through the PACC. Indeed, even
the PACC did not carefully discuss the structure or content of the draft despite the
imprimatur on the 5/26/94 version stating "Recommended by the PACC Policy Council
to governing bodies of the City of Charlottesville, Albemarle County and University of
Virginia" .
Ninth, the public has not yet been asked to participate in a public review of the
document and affirm or deny its overall agreement.
Tenth, the goal of the process changed from developing a common vision which
would be a system of commitments, to developing a list of questions without an
implication 'of commitments. This radical methodological change was made in the
last two meetings of the Advisory Committee, to which the public was not invited.
In conclusion, we believe the process should have been more open, democratic
and methodologically appropriate to determine the content of an interjurisdictional
community vision statement that will help guide our community in the coming years.
The process that has occurred cannot be substituted for the normal community input
process for any public document: public hearings, work sessions, letters, media
comment and oral conversations, etc. This normal public process allows individuals
to criticize and make proposals which are weighed in the final product. This normal
process should now begin in order to produce the vision statement we all need.
";; ...
Citizens for Albemarle Suggested Summary Vision Revision
16 August, 1994
City of Charlottesville
Albemarle County
University of Virginia
A SUMMARY OF OUR VISION
A Statement of Values
We value a community made up of diverse individuals and groups who recognize the
community's unique history and culture; who adhere to principles of justice, equity and
respect; who practice stewardship of the natural and built environments; who improve human
aspirations and resources and who make public decisions through an open democratic
process.
We envision our community as one ...
· that balances the cultural environment within the natural environment
and that has a vital urban core surrounded by a rural area that
remains green and open
· that values each individual and is a place where all residents can live
affordably and safely
· that has begun effective but noncoercive steps to stabilize its population
at a size that is supportable by forecasted ground and surface water
supplies and that is consistent with preservation of our natural resources
and quality of human life.
· that has a strong diversified economy with opportunities for local
businesses and meaningful jobs, with assisted training to foster
economic advancement by minorities
· that values and provides quality education for all ages, vocations,
abilities, and ethnic groups, and
· that has open and accessible governments which cooperate to ensure
social tranquility and provide quality services economically.
Charlottesville Branch NAACP
P. O. BOX 1061
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA 22901
August 18, 1994
Walter Perkins, Chair
Albemarle County Board of Supervisors
401 McIntire Rd
Charlottesville, VA 22902
Dear Mr. Perkins:
We understand that the document "Community Visioning," dated 5/26/94, has been
recommended by the Planning and Coordination Council to the governing bodies of
the County, the City, and the University.
In a letter to the Chair of the PACC (see attached copy), we are asking for some
changes in this document. We would appreciate it if you would ensure that copies
of tIns letter and its attachment are distributed to all members of the Board of
Supervisors before discussions about adopting any version of the "Community
Visioning" document.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
jJviLOv Q. () ,u:jJJð1!
Shelia A. Jackson Ú-'
President
Attachment
Charlottesville Branch NAACP
P. O. BOX 1061
CHARLOITESVILLE, VIRGINIA 22901
August 18, 1994
Charlotte Humphris, Chair
Planning and Coordination Council
c/o Albemarle County Board of Supervisors
401 McIntire Road
Charlottesville, VA 22902
Dear Ms. Humphris:
The Charlottesville Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
has reviewed the draft of the "Community Visioning" dated 5/26/94. It indicated that it was
recommended by the P ACC Policy Council to the governing bodies of the City of Charlottesville,
the County of Albemarle, and the University of Virginia. We believe that major changes are
needed in the draft if it is to be at all effective in the comprehensive plans of the City, the County,
and the University.
The draft vision statement totally submerges the problems faced by minorities, especially
African-Americans. The concerns of minorities were either "washed out" by huge majority
"averages" or unjustly silenced. I believe this is why many African-Americans did not attend the
second forum. After the first Common Vision Advisory Committee meeting, I knew the concerns
of minorities would not be addressed. Civic obligations kept me from attending more Advisory
Committee meetings.
There are two changes to the draft Community Visioning statement the NAACP feel should take.
place. The first change concerns the "Statement of Values". Please find on the attached page
how we feel it should be stated. The second change involves the "A Summary of Our Vision".
This statement should emphasize commitments -- using the word ".Y!ill::" or "will" instead of
"visualize" before each of the five topics.
Thank you for the opportunity to share my views with you. If you have any questions, please feel
free to contact me at 973-4661.
Sincerely,
!Mvk Q. {)w~
Shelia A. Jackson
President
Attachment
A statement of Values
We ~ a community made up of diverse individuals and groups:
who value every individual, family, and minority group; who
recognize the community's unique history and culture; who adhere
to principles of justice, equity, and respect; who practice
stewardship of natural and built environment as well as of human
resources; who promote policies in the private and independent
sectors that fairly advance the quality of life for all residents
in the region.
CROZET COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION ~··11
P.O. BOX 653
CROZET, VA 22932
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May 22,1994
Mr. Wayne Cilimberg
Director of Planning & Community Development
Albemarle County Office Building
401 Mcintire Road
Charlottesville, Va 22902
Dear Mr. Cilimberg,
I have just finished reading the Community Visioning Statement of Values and to say the least I
am very disappointed with the results. Nowhere to be found in any of the statements is there
recognition of the small towns that reside within Albemarle County. I find this most surprising
since I, as well as residents from other small towns in our county attended the forum and know
that the importance of our small towns and role they play in the life of Albemarle County was a
frequent topic of discussion. If there is any doubt of this fact, I would direct you to the handout
distributed during the second forum which describes rural villages such as Crozet and North
Garden as "Special Placès" and "Community Resources". Despite these facts, the Statement of
Values again divides the region into either the City of Charlottesville or the surrounding rural
area.
As president of the Crazet Community Association I will continue to put forth the proposition that
the small towns in Albemarle County have their own unique identities and life styles. In a survey
done by our association the most important item identified by our residents was preserving the
small town identity of Crozet. I would hope your committee will take the time to review the
results of the small group discussions and make the proper revisions to include a statement of
the role small towns play in the overall vision for our region.
Sincerely,
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Thomas Loach
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Group coordinating mentoring efforts
By REX BOWMAN
Daily Progress stall wrter
With the goa! of improving service, an
organization that recruits role models
for Charlottesville-area people is
leading an effort to identify and coordi·
nate all groups involved in such work.
"We're making an effort to bring
together a!l the existing mentoring pro-
grams, but we don't know how many
there are; said Jackie Houlihan,
chairwoman of the Partnership Alliance
for Lifelong Sucœss, created by the
CharlottesvillelAlbemarle Children and
Youth Commission. "Our etrorta are
focuaed on finding out."
Sixteen IpDCieø with mentoring pr0-
grams are &heady involved in the part.
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nership alliance, including the United
Way's volunteer center; the University
of Virginia's Madison House Big Sib-
lings program; Big Brothers-Big Sisters
of the Blue Ridge; the Sa!vation Army;
and the Charlottesville-Albemarle
Chamber of Commerce.
"Some of the programs are for teens,
some are for older adults," Houlihan
said. "They're varied."
A person interested in becoming a
mentor might give up after going to one
group and finding that the time
required is too burdensome, Houlihan
said. That person might be unaware
that another group could accommodate
them.
"We need to pool resources and
streamline eem-.. Houlihan said.
"It's basically the theory of coordina-
tion. We want to come up with a consol-
idated way to recruit volunteers, train
them and offer mentoring.·
In the next couple of months, she
said, the partnership alliance plane to
determine which area agencies offer
mentor programs and enlist them in the
alliance.
The allisnce plans to create a
brochure listing all the agencies and
describing their particular mentor pro-
grams and, during the week of Oct.
10-14, put on a mentoring-awarenesa
campaign.
Seven area businesses haw employee
volunteer programs, in which
employees are allowed to spend a COIlp!e
See MENTOR, Page C2
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COMPREHENSIVE PLAN REVIEW
Feb.
Growth Area
Expansion
(P.C. Decision)
Economic
Development
Policy
(P.C. Decision)
Land Use Designations
(P.C. Decision)
April
Land Use Plan
(P.C. Decision)
May - July
· Growth Area Cmte. review
- - · Public Input Meetings
· P.C. Public Hearing(s)
August
B.O.S. Receives
P.C. Recommended
Land Use Plan
Aug. - Nov.
P.C. Review of Second Tier of Comprehensive
Plan Components-Issues
Water Resource Education· Culture/Arts*
Agriculture/Forestry Housing Human Services
· new to plan
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Date:
From:
To:
Re:
24 August, 1994
Tom Olivier, Citizens for Albemarle
Albemarle County Board of Supervisors, Planning Commission
Vision Forums and Summary Document
Our organization has an established interest in community visioning efforts. We
view such efforts as doubly important when their results are incorporated into
Comprehensive Plan Updates.
In a visioning process, members of a community attempt to look beyond short
term political horizons, past the concerns of the day. Visioning demands that a
society's members imagine a better future. Both the elements of a better society and
how such elements fit together must be addressed in a vision. Generation of a vision
requires leaps of imagination and hope. If it is to function, members of a community
must affirm and commit to a vision.
We salute the innovativeness of the County, City and University in including
joint visioning forums in their Comprehensive Plan Update processes. However, we
have concerns about procedures that have been followed in holding forums and
analyzing related data. We also have been dissatisfied with some aspects of the
resulting vision summary document. For these reasons, we wrote to Mr. Perkins last
week and asked for an opportunity to present our views to you this evening.
Our discontent regarding processes is detailed in the document you have
received titled "Comments on the Process used to Develop the May 26, 1994
Comprehensive Visioning Document". We believe that the strong emphasis in the
forums on areas of concern to participants inhibited the kind of imaginative, synthetic
thinking that gives visioning its power.
We do not understand the process used to analyze public comments from the
forums; some topics of considerable interest to participants have been given short
shrift in the summary document. The text in the Land Use/Environmental Balance
section says virtually nothing about land use planning in rural areas and protection of
our ecosystems. Many forum participants indicated that they viewed these subjects
as extremely important.
Since the forums, during the generation of draft revisions of the summary
document, there has been little call for public comment.
We view the summary document itself as unfocused. Strategic questions are
not elements of a vision. The selected comments and strategic questions result in an
intellectual sprawl to the summary and do not contribute to a clear, coherent central
vision.
..
Citizens for Albemarle suggests that for a summary vision statement, less would
be more. We believe that a brief joint vision statement containing values and general
principles would serve effectively as a preamble to more detailed and specialized
Comprehensive Plan documents of the County, City and University. We also
anticipate that agreement among local governments on a common vision statement
will be simpler if that statement is brief and strongly focused. As difficult decisions
are faced in the future, and we refer to the Comprehensive Plan for guidance, a brief
vision can provide a quick reminder of the priorities we have set for ourselves.
To this end, we propose a revised, one page summary vision document. In our
revision we have moved the statement of values in the original into the summary. We
have mildly revised the five bulleted statements on the first page of the original. In
these revisions of bulleted statements, we have, for example, tried to place the built
environment in the context of the natural environment and we seek a firmer
commitment to economic opportunities for minorities.
We also have added a new bulleted statement dealing with the stabilization of
our population size. Simply, we believe that if we are to meet our obligations to future
generations, we must now seek to understand and face squarely the constraints that
finite resources place on the growth of our numbers. Deliberately, all else in the
original vision document has been eliminated.
We believe that public affirmation should be obtained for a vision statement that
is incorporated into our Comprehensive Plan. We understand that some form of
affirmation process is anticipated but not yet fully specified. We urge that the
affirmation process include opportunities for suggestions by residents of revisions to
any and all proposed vision summary documents.
1,\ /" --;f - f./<--{
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COUNTY OF ALBEMARLE
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
AGENDA TITLE:
Schedule for Comprehensive Plan Review
AGENDA DATE:
August 24, 1994
ITEM NUMBER:
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ACTION:
x
INFORMATION:
SUBJECTIPROPOSALIREOUEST:
Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission
acceptance of this schedule.
CONSENT AGENDA:
ACTION: INFORMATION:
ATTACHMENTS: Yes.
STAFF CONTACT(S):
Messr. Tucker, Benish
REVIEWED BY:
BACKGROUND:
Attached is a proposed schedule for the review of the Comprehensive Plan. Included with this schedule are the
assumptions and parameters staff considered in establishing this schedule.
DISCUSSION:
Staff opinion is that the highest priority for this review of the Comprehensive Plan should be placed on development
of the Land Use Plan. Given the time fÌ'ame for review desired by the Board, emphasis should be placed on reviewing
and updating this section first. This would include development of an economic development policy since such a
policy is a necessary input in developing a Land Use Plan.
The proposed schedule is based on the assumption that the Planning Commission will conduct public hearings and
forward a draft Land Use Plan to the Board prior to the Commission reviewing other components of the Plan. The
Land Use Plan could then be adopted by the Board in advance of other revisions to the Comprehensive Plan. The
other components the Commission would review after completion of the Land Use Plan would include the housing,
human services, water resources, agriculture and forestry sections, as well as possible new sections on education and
cultural arts.
In establishing a schedule for the Plan review, staff can reasonably estimate the needed time to review the various
components of the Plan and present recommendations to the Commission. However, it is difficult to estimate the
amount of time necessary for the Commission and Board to review each component. This schedule is based primarily
on the Commission and Board reviewing the recommendations presented by staff within a reasonable time frame.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the Board and Commission accept the attached schedule.
CPSUM.RPT
94.114
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SCHEDULE FOR THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN REVIEW
Staff has developed a schedule for the Comprehensive Plan Review which is based on the
following assumptions or parameters identified for staff:
· The Board of Supervisors desire to have the revised Plan adopted by December 1995.
· Staff resources are fixed. No significant increase in staff or consultant assistance is
anticipated.
· Based on the findings of the telephone survey and visioning process, the major goals and
policies of the current Plan are consistent with community desires. Issues and initiatives
should focus on refinement and update of the Plan;
· The Land Use Plan is the highest priority component of the Plan to review. A necessary
input to develop the Land Use Plan would be an economic development policy.
Therefore, an economic development policy (goals, objectives, strategies) should be
developed early in the process. A second tier of components for review (listed in
schedule) will be undertaken after the Land Use Plan is forwarded to the Board for their
reVIew.
· No major changes to the Rural Areas development policy are undertaken. Emphasis
during this Plan review should be placed on expanding Growth Areas and making
development more feasible in those areas. Recent development trends indicate that the
Rural Area District is becoming more effective (65% of growth now occurring in Growth
Area since 1989). The survey results indicate a general satisfaction with current growth
management efforts and control of development in the Rural Area. Furthermore, the
Agricultural-Forestal Industries Support Committee, which consistent primarily of
farmers/foresters, stressed a need for consistency and predictability in regulations. They
have recommended against changes to the Rural Areas District. Should the Rural Area
development policy be reviewed, staff would recommend that it be undertaken after the
completion of the Land Use Plan as a second tier priority.
· Control of the Plan review process and schedule, once accepted by the
Board/Commission, is at the staff level. The staff will develop complete packages of
information and deliver recommendations on major components of the Plan for
Commission review.
· The Planning Commission/Board of Supervisors will want to have public input meetings
throughout the County on a revised draft of the Plan, similar to those planned for this
September/October.
· In order to meet the December, 1995 time £fame, the use of Growth Area Citizen
Committees will be de-emphasized. Staff proposes to establish the committees and meet
with each one-two times to review the proposed draft Land Use Plan. The committees
would remain as standing committees and staff would utilize them for the development of
specific neighborhood/community/village plans after the Comprehensive Plan is adopted.
1
.,
....
Based on these assumptions and directives, staff has developed the following schedule for the
Plan review:
SEPT-OCT 1994 Public input meetings (report results).
DECEMBER 1994 Staff provides recommendations on Growth Area expansion to
Commission (p.C. decision reported to the Board).
DECEMBER 1994 Staff recommendation on economic development policy forwarded to
Commission (p.C. decision reported to Board).
FEBRUARY 1995 Staff completes review of land use categories and designations, forwards
recommendations to Commission (p.C. decisions reported to the Board).
APRIL 1995 Draft of Land Use Plan completed by Staff, forwarded to Commission.
MAY 1995 Review of draft Plan by Growth Area Citizen Committees is
completed/reported to Commission.
JUNE-JULY 1995 Public input meetings on draft Land Use Plan.
AUGUST 1995 Planning Commission Public Hearing on proposed Land Use Plan.
Forward recommended Land Use Plan to Board.
AUG-NOV 1995 Commission begins review of second tier of components for review:
* Water resources~
* Housing~
* Agriculture and forestry~
* Human services~
* Education (new to PIan)~
* Culture-arts (new to Plan).
If Rural Area policy/density issues are to be reviewed, staff would
anticipate an additional two-three months added to the review period.
Nov-Dec 1995
Public input meetings on draft Comprehensive Plan.
Dee, 1996-Jan 1996 Planning Commission Public Hearing on proposed Comprehensive Plan.
Forward to Board.
2
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APPENDIX A
SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE
Hello. My name is and I'm calling on behalf of the Albemarle
County government. I'm with the Center for Survey Research at UVA and
we're conducting a survey to find out what people think about various
issues that could affect the future of the County. Your household was
selected at random to be part of our survey. The County will be using
the results to revise and update the Comprehensive Plan that guides
growth and development in our area. Do you have some time to help me
out by answering some questions?
TO GO ON
OR
CTRL-END TO ENTER DISPOSITION
Let me mention that all your answers are confidential, and we don't use
anybody's name. The survey takes about 20 minutes to complete. First,
I just need to confirm that you are at least 18 years old [IF NOT, ASK
TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE WHO IS AND PRESS Fl FOR RE-INTRO) and that you live
in Albemarle County, and not within the City or some other place.
Are you a resident of Albemarle County?
1 YES, ADULT CONFIRMS COUNTY RESIDENCE [GO ON]
2 NO, ADULT RESIDES IN CHARLOTTESVILLE [TO THANKS ANYWAY SCREEN)
3 NO, ADULT RESIDES IN ANOTHER COUNTY OR CITY [TO THANKS ANYWAY]
4 REFUSES TO CONFIRM RESIDENCE, [TO THANKS ANYWAY SCREEN)
5 NOT SURE IF CITY OR COUNTY--[ASK NEIGHBORHOOD TO CHECK)
6 CONFIRMS RESIDENCE, BUT WON'T CONTINUE [TERMINATES IMMEDIATELY]
7 OR [CTRL-END FOR CALLBACK OR NO ADULT AVAILABLE ETC.]
[IF UNSURE: "Where do you buy the tax sticker for your car or
truck?")
[IF R ASKS ABOUT SPONSORSHIP, EXPLAIN THAT THE STUDY IS BEING DONE
FOR THE ALBEMARLE COUNTY GOVERNMENT]
A-I
2#9 {asked only if Q#3 = 5}
Do you happen to know the name of the area where you live? [IF
NECESSARY--Is there a name for your neighborhood, community or
subdivision?]
1 YES, R KNOWS A NAME FOR AREA--IN ALBEMARLE
2 NAMED AREA IS CLEARLY IN C'VILLE CITY--[THANKS ANYWAY]
3 R GIVES STREET NAME ONLY
4 "THERE IS NO NAME FOR THiS NEIGHBORHOOD"
5 NO, R DOESN'T KNOW NAME FOR AREA
2#10 {asked only if Q#3 = l}
Do you happen to know the name of the area of the County where you live?
[IF NECESSARY--Is there a name for your neighborhood, community or
subdivision?]
1 YES, R KNOWS A NAME FOR AREA--IN ALBEMARLE
2 NAMED AREA IS CLEARLY IN c'VILLE CITY--[THANKS ANYWAY]
3 R GIVES STREET NAME ONLY
4 "THERE IS NO NAME FOR THIS NEIGHBORHOOD"
5 NO, R DOESN'T KNOW NAME FOR AREA
2#11 {the complete list of neighborhood codes used for this study is included
at the end of this Appendix.
I need to take just a second to look up the code for that neighborhood.
(ASK FOR NAME AGAIN IF NEEDED.)
INTERVIEWER: REFER TO POSTED LIST OF NEIGHBORHOOD NAMES
ENTER NEIGHBORHOOD CODE HERE
AND PRESS RETURN
PLEASE TYPE 3 NUMBERS
ENTER "998" FOR NOT ON LIST
ENTER "999" FOR REFUSED
2#11A {entered only if Q#lO = 998}
NEIGHBORHOOD NAME WAS NOT ON LIST... PLEASE ENTER IT HERE:
2#12
{asked only if Q#lO = 998 or 999}
Please think of the nearest major intersection to your house. Could you
tell me the names or route numbers of the roads that cross there?
[IF NECESSARY: We've dialed your number at random and we don't want to
know your address--all your answers on this survey are confidential.]
A-2
Q#13 {entered only if asked Q#12}
(PLEASE ENTER "2" IF IT IS CLEAR THAT R LIVES IN CHARLOTTESVILLE CITY)
1 RESPONDENT SEEMS TO BE A RESIDENT OF THE COUNTY
2 IT IS CLEAR THAT RESPONDENT LIVES IN CHARLOTESVILLE
3 NOT CLEAR IF CITY OR COUNTY, (CONTINUE AND CHECK LATER)
Q#14 {asked only if Q#13 = 2}
Q#15
Q#16
Q#17
I believe that's a Charlottesville city neighborhood. Is that correct?
1 YES, IT IS A CHARLOTTESVILLE CITY NEIGHBORHOOD
2 NO, I'M SURE IT IS IN THE COUNTY, (CONTINUE AND CHECK LATER)
3 NOT CLEAR IF CITY OR COUNTY, (CONTINUE AND CHECK LATER)
How long have you lived in Albemarle County?
1 LESS THAN ONE YEAR
2 ONE TO TWO YEARS
3 THREE TO FIVE YEARS
4 SIX TO TEN YEARS
5 ELEVEN TO NINETEEN YEARS
6 TWENTY YEARS OR MORE, BUT NOT ALL MY LIFE
7 ALL MY LIFE
8 NOT SURE/REFUSED
DEFINITION: COUNT TOTAL TIME THAT R HAS EVER RESIDED WITHIN THE
COUNTY, NOT COUNTING CITY OF C'VILLE.
Would you describe the area where you live as
lout in the country,
2 a rural village,
3 a suburban area,
4 or an urban area close to the City?
5 DON'T KNOW, CAN'T SAY
And do you own your own home, or are you renting?
1 OWNS (OR IS BUYING]
2 RENTS
3 OTHER (SPECIFY):
4 DON'T KNOW/REFUSED
A-3
Q#18
Q#20
What kind of place are you living in? Is it a...
1 single-family home, [DETACHED DWELLING)
2 a duplex or 2-family structure,
3 an apartment, [3 APTS OR MORE IN STRUCTURE)
4 a townhouse or row-house [3 OR MORE ATTACHED)
5 a mobile home or trailer,
6 or some other kind of structure? [SPECIFY:)
7 DON'T KNOW/REFUSED
We'd like first to get a sense of your overall impressions about the
Charlottesville-Albemarle area.
Please imagine a scale from 1 to 10, where 1 represents the worst
possible community in which to live, and 10 represents the best possible
community. Where on that scale would you rate the Charlottesville-
Albemarle area as a place to live, from 1 to 10?
1
2
3
4
6
5
7
8
-------
WORST POSSIBLE
COMMUNITY
INTERVIEWERS: ENTER RESPONSES 1 - 10
ENTER 98 = DON'T KNOW
ENTER 99 = REFUSED
Q#21 {asked only if Q#20 > 4}
A-4
9
10
BEST POSSIBLE
COMMUNITY
Where on the same 1 to 10 scale would you say that the Charlottesville-
Albemarle area stood five years ago?
1
2 345 6 7 8 9
-------
WORST POSSIBLE
COMMUNITY
INTERVIEWERS: ENTER RESPONSES 1 - 10
ENTER 98 = DON'T KNOW
ENTER 99 = REFUSED
10
BEST POSSIBLE
COMMUNITY
Q#22
Q#23
Q#26
Q#30
Thinking about the future, would you like to be living in Albemarle
County five years from now, or do you hope to be living someplace else
by then?
1 LIVE IN ALBEMARLE
2 CHARLOTTESVILLE CITY [VOLUNTEERED]
3 SOMEPLACE ELSE
4 DON'T KNOW/NA
What are the main things that you like about Albemarle County, things
that should be protected or made even better?
{open-ended response}
What are some of the things you DISLIKE about Albemarle County, things
that should be changed or improved?
{open-ended response}
Over the next year, the City of Charlottesville, Albemarle County, and
UVA will be updating their comprehensive plans for our area. These plans
can include many different goals, and we'd like your help in deciding
which of these goals should be considered most important.
I'm going to list some things that
community a better place to live.
how important you think it is as a
Charlottesville-Albemarle area.
we might plan for, to make this
After I read each one, please tell me
goal that we should plan for in the
A-5
Q#80
A-6
2#31-55 {13 were chosen at random}
"high quality education in the public schools"
"bringing more jobs to our area"
"improving the quality of housing"
"making housing more affordable for people of lower income"
"preserving natural resources and open space"
"promoting economic growth in the area"
"providing more parks and recreation facilities"
"making the area's neighborhoods and streets safer"
"expanding cultural and entertainment opportunities"
"making the cost of living more reasonable"
"increasing the racial and cultural diversity of neighborhoods "
"extending and improving water and sewer service "
"reducing traffic congestion"
"providing better public transportation"[BUSES, JAUNT, ETC; NOT PRIVATE
AUTOS]
"controlling the rate of growth of our area"
"expanding social services offered by our local governments"
"improving medical and health services in the area"
"keeping taxes at or below their current level"
"creating a better sense of community between UVA, C-VILLE, and the
County"
"keeping future growth of the University focussed within the UVA
grounds"
"preserving historic buildings and places"
"preserving farmland and forested land"
"promoting tourism in our area"
"protecting water quality in reservoirs, streams, and wells"
"preserving the freedom of property owners to use their land as they
want"
1 VERY IMPORTANT
2 SOMEWHAT IMPORTANT
3 NOT THAT IMPORTANT
4 UNABLE TO RATE OR DON'T KNOW
IF NECESSARY: [How important is as a goal we should plan
for in the Charlottesville-Albemarle area: very important,
somewhat important, or not that important?]
Thank you. Next I'd like you to rate the overall job the County is now
doing in providing services and programs to its residents. Would you
say you are very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied,
or very dissatisified in general with the job the County is doing in,
providing services to its residents?
1 VERY SATISFIED
2 SOMEWHAT SATISFIED
3 SOMEWHAT DISSATISFIED
4 VERY DISSATISFIED
5 UNABLE TO RATE/DON'T KNOW
6 REFUSED
· .
Q#l60
Q#l6l
Q#l62
As you probably know, Charlottesville is an independent city with a
separate government and school system from Albemarle County. Over the
years, people have talked about different things that might be done to
increase cooperation between the City and the County. Please tell me if
you favor or oppose each of the following proposals:
The first proposal is:
"The City and the County should work together more closely in planning
for the whole community."
Do you favor or oppose that?
1 FAVOR
2 OPPOSE
3 NO OPINION
4 DON'T KNOW
The next proposal is:
"The City and the County should set up more joint programs and services
that would serve the entire area."
Do you favor or oppose that?
1 FAVOR
2 OPPOSE
3 NO OPINION
4 DON'T KNOW
The next proposal is:
"The City and County should merge their park and recreation systems into
one area-wide system."
Do you favor or oppose that?
1 FAVOR
2 OPPOSE
3 NO OPINION
4 DON'T KNOW
A-7
Q#163
Q#164
Q#165
A-8
The next proposal is;
"The City police department and the County police department should be
merged."
Do you favor or oppose that?
1 FAVOR
2 OPPOSE
3 NO OPINION
4 DON'T KNOW
The next proposal is:
"The City schools and the County schools should be merged."
Do you favor or oppose that?
1 FAVOR
2 OPPOSE
3 NO OPINION
4 DON'T KNOW
The next proposal is;
"The City and the County should consolidate into a single, unified
government that serves the whole area."
Do you favor or oppose that?
1 FAVOR
2 OPPOSE
3 NO OPINION
4 DON'T KNOW
Q#201
As you may be aware, Albemarle County's population grew by 12,000 people
between 1980 and 1990, an increase of 22 percent--or about 2 percent per
year.
In your opinion, what rate of growth would be in the best future
interest of our county:
1 continuing to grow at the same rate,
2 growing at a faster rate,
3 or growing more slowly?
4 NO GROWTH/NEGATIVE GROWTH [VOLUNTEERED]
5 DON'T KNOW
Q#202 {asked only if Q#201 = 2}
Do you think the County ought to grow
1 a lot faster
2 or just a little faster?
3 DON'T KNOW/REFUSED
Q#203 {asked only if Q#201 = 3}
Do you think the County ought to grow
1 a lot more slowly
2 or just a little more slowly?
3 DON'T KNOW/REFUSED
Q#205
The County's comprehensive plan currently includes a growth management
policy. Under this policy, the County is attempting to concentrate
growth into "growth areas," in order to make services more efficient and
limit the sprawl of development. The County is attempting to limit
growth in the rural areas, in order to protect farmland, natural
resources, water quality and open space.
In your opinion, is this a good approach for the County to use in
relation to growth?
1 YES--GOOD APPROACH
2 NO
3 GOOD AND BAD--DEPENDS [VOLUNTEERED]
4 DK/NO OPINION
A-9
2#206 {asked only if Q#205 = 2 or 3}
2#210
2#211
. A-10
How would you like to see the County's growth management policy changed?
{open-ended response}
INTERVIEWER: USE / TO INDICATE YOUR PROBES. SUGGESTED PROBES:
Could you tell me more about what you have in mind? Does anything
else come to mind? Is there anything else about the growth
management policy that you would like changed? Anything else?
Right now, about 5% of the land area in the County is included in the
growth areas. Over the next ten years, do you think the County should
INCREASE or DECREASE the amount of land in growth areas--or should they
keep them about the same as they are now?
1 INCREASE AREA FOR GROWTH
2 DECREASE AREA FOR GROWTH
3 KEEP AREA THE SAME
'4 DK/NO OPINION
IF ASKED: The growth areas include 40 square miles out of a total
of 742 square miles in the County. Most of the growth areas are
located close to the urban area around Charlottesville, but there
are also some community and village areas designated for growth,
like Crozet and North Garden.
In order to limit growth in the rural areas, the County has placed
significant restrictions on the subdivision of rural parcels. Do you
think the County should continue these restrictions, or relax them to
allow rural property owners to subdivide more lots?
1 CONTINUE CURRENT SUBDIVISION RESTRICTIONS
2 RELAX SUBDIVISION RESTRICTIONS
3 TIGHTEN RESTRICTIONS (VOLUNTEERED]
4 ONLY ALLOW SOMETIMES--DEPENDS (VOLUNTEERED]
5 DK/NO OPINION
[IF NECESSARY: THE RESTRICTION IS THAT A RURAL AREA PARCEL MAY
NOT BE DIVIDED INTO MORE THAN FIVE LOTS AND EACH OF THESE MUST.BE
AT LEAST TWO ACRES IN SIZE. ANY ADDITIONAL LOTS MUST BE AT LEAST
21 ACRES IN SIZE]
Q#212A {asked of approximately half of the respondents}
The area along Route 29 north is currently the fastest growing growth
area. Do you think the County should continue to accommodate growth
along 29 North, or should it try to shift future growth to other growth
areas of the County instead?
1 ROUTE 29--ACCOMMODATE
2 SHIFT TO OTHER GROWTH AREAS
3 BOTH [VOLUNTEERED]
4 LET RURAL AREAS GROW [VOLUNTEERED]
5 NEITHER--NO GROWTH [VOLUNTEERED]
6 DK/NO OPINION
Q#2128 {asked of approximately half of the respondents}
The area to the north of Charlottesville, out past the airport and
beyond, is currently the fastest growing growth area. Do you think the
County should continue to accommodate growth in that area, or should it
try to shift future growth to other growth areas of the County instead?
1 NORTH OF CHARLOTTESVILLE -- CONTINUE TO ACCOMMODATE
2 SHIFT TO OTHER GROWTH AREAS
3 BOTH [VOLUNTEERED]
4 LET RURAL AREAS GROW [VOLUNTEERED]
5 NEITHER--NO GROWTH [VOLUNTEERED]
6 DK/NO OPINION
Q#214 {asked of approximately two-thirds of the respondents}
As more people move into the County, more money may have to be spent on
County services. Some counties have started to have developers pay an
extra fee for each new home that is built. Critics of these fees point
out that they unfairly increase the cost of a new home. Those who favor
them say it is better than having all the taxpayers pay the added
service costs. How about you, would you favor or oppose such fees on
new homes built in the County?
1 FAVOR
2 OPPOSE
3 DK/NO OPINION
A-1!
Q#21S
2#231
2#233
A-12
Right now, the County has a program called "use value taxation" or "land
use tax." Through this program, the County rewards property owners who
use their land for farming, forestry, or open space by reducing their
property tax, as long as the land is not further developed.
Some people in the County say that use value taxation gives an unfair
tax advantage to some people, and that it should be discontinued.
others say it is a good way to preserve farms and open land, and should
be continued. What's your opinion: should we . . .
1 discontinue the program, or
2 keep it in place?
3 MODIFY OR CHANGE [VOLUNTEERED]
4 HAS NOT HEARD OF IT
5 DK/NO OPINION
We hear a lot these days about how to make housing more affordable for
low and moderate income people. I'd like to know your opinion about
some ways that more affordable housing might be provided.
In your opinion, should the County make efforts to provide more
subsidized housing and housing assistance within the County?
1 YES
2 NO
3 DEPENDS [VOLUNTEERED]
4 OK/NO OPINION
DEFINITION: Subsidized housing means special government programs for
financial assistance with mortgages, rent, or construction costs.
Should the County do more to encourage developers to put moderate-income
housing units into every new development?
1 YES
2 NO
3 DEPENDS [VOLUNTEERED]
4 DK/NO OPINION
2#235
2#250
Q#252
Do you think owners of single-family homes throughout the County should
be allowed to turn their basement or extra space into a separate
apartment?
1 YES
2 NO
3 DEPENDS [VOLUNTEERED]
4 DK/NO OPINION
IF NECESSARY: Currently this is not allowed in areas that are
zoned for single-family homes only.
In general, do you think most of the new development in the County has
been visually attractive, or do you think most of it has been unsightly?
1 MOSTLY ATTRACTIVE
2 MOSTLY UNSIGHTLY
3 MIXED, DEPENDS [VOLUNTEERED]
4 DK/NO OPINION
The quality and attractiveness of development could be regulated in a
number of ways. We'd like your opinion on some of these. Do you think
Albemarle County should have an ordinance for protecting historic sites
and buildings?
1 YES
2 NO
3 DEPENDS [VOLUNTEERED]
4 DK/NO OPINION
2#254 {asked of approximately half of the respondents}
Do you think there should be a regulation against building homes or
other buildings that are highly visible on mountains and ridges?
1 YES, PROHIBIT BUILDINGS
2 NO, ALLOW BUILDINGS
3 DEPENDS [VOLUNTEERED]
4 DK/NO OPINION
A-13
2#255 {asked of approximately half of the respondents}
Q#256
2#271
2#273
A-14
Do you think there should be a regulation against cutting down large
areas of trees that are highly visible on mountains and ridges?
1 YES, PROHIBIT CUTTING
2 NO, ALLOW CUTTING
3 DEPENDS [VOLUNTEERED)
4 DK/NO OPINION
Right now, anyone who puts up a building other than a single family
residence along many of the major roads leading into town has to get
approval on the architecture and appearance from a review board set up
by the County. Do you think the County should continue to require new
development to have this kind of review?
1 YES, CONTINUE REVIEW
2 NO, DISCONTINUE
3 DK/NO OPINION
We're getting near the end of the survey now. I have a couple of
questions about economic development.
Do you think Albemarle County should adopt policies that would more
strongly encourage economic development and job growth?
1 YES
2 NO
3 DEPENDS [VOLUNTEERED)
4 DK/NO OPINION
Do you think the County should make efforts to increase the VARIETY of
new jobs, or do we have the right mix of jobs now?
1 YES--MORE VARIETY
2 NO--RIGHT MIX NOW
3 DEPENDS [VOLUNTEERED]
4 DK/NO OPINION
Q#290
Q#291
Q#292
Q#293
Here are some questions about transportation issues in the County.
The state is planning to build some major new roads here in the next few
years, and the County can help decide about how they are designed. In
general, do you think it would be worth the extra expense to provide
sidewalks and walkways along all the major new roads in the urban areas?
1 YES
2 NO
3 DEPENDS [VOLUNTEERED]
4 DK/NO OPINION
Would it be worth the extra expense to provide for bicycle paths or
bicycle lanes along all the major new roads?
1 YES
2 NO
3 DEPENDS [VOLUNTEERED]
4 DK/NO OPINION
Would it be worth the extra expense to provide attractive landscaping
along all the major new roads?
1 YES
2 NO
3 DEPENDS [VOLUNTEERED]
4 DK/NO OPINION
The County has some say in where state highway money is spent here.
Where should we put emphasis in the future--
1 improving the roads in the areas that are now most congested,
2 improving the roads in areas where future development is
expected, or
3 on improving the roads in rural areas of the County?
4 NEITHER/NO ROAD IMPROVEMENTS [VOLUNTEERED]
5 DK/NO OPINION
A-I5
Q#307
Q# 3 11
Q#313
Q#356
A-16
Now I just have a few final questions to ask. We ask these questions
just for statistical purposes, and as I mentioned all your answers are
strictly confidential.
In what year were you born?
ENTER YEAR HERE AND PRESS RETURN
PLEASE TYPE 4 NUMBERS
ENTER "9999" FOR REFUSED
Which of the following best describes you? Are you working full time,
working part time, looking for work, homemaker, retired, or student?
IF YOU ARE GIVEN TWO, ASK: Which one best describes you?
1 WORKING FULL TIME [30 HRS/WK OR MORE]
2 WORKING PART TIME
3 LOOKING FOR WORK
4 HOMEMAKER
5 RETIRED
6 STUDENT
7 OTHER [SPECIFY:]
8 DON'T KNOW/REFUSED
Do you feel the job you have now is suitable for someone of your
education and training?
IF R HAS MORE THAN ONE JOB, ASK: This question refers to your primary
job.
1 YES
2 NO
3 DK/NO OPINION
4 REFUSED
Including yourself, how many adults, 18 and older, live in your
household?
ENTER NUMBER HERE AND PRESS RETURN
ENTER "99" FOR REFUSAL
Q#358
Q#362
Q#471
Q#472
And how many children live in your household?
ENTER NUMBER HERE AND PRESS RETURN
ENTER "99" FOR REFUSAL
CHILDREN = PERSONS 17 AND UNDER
What is the highest level of education you completed?
1 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ONLY
2 SOME HIGH SCHOOL, DID NOT FINISH
3 COMPLETED HIGH SCHOOL
4 SOME COLLEGE BUT DIDN'T FINISH
5 2 YEAR COLLEGE DEGREE IA.A./A.S
6 4 YEAR COLLEGE DEGREE IB.A./B.S.
7 SOME GRADUATE WORK
8 COMPLETED MASTERS OR PROFESSIONAL DEGREE
9 ADVANCED GRADUATE WORK OR PH.D.
A DON'T KNOW
B REFUSED
I am going to read a list of income ranges. Please stop me when I read
the one that best describes your annual household income from all
sources. That would be before taxes and other deductions. Is it .
1 Below fifteen thousand dollars?
2 Fifteen to 30 thousand?
3 Thirty to 45 thousand?
4 Forty-five to 60 thousand?
5 Sixty to 75 thousand?
6 more than seventy-five thousand?
7 DON'T KNOW / REFUSED / NO ANSWER
PRECISE
$0
$15,000
$30,000
$45,000
$60,000
$75,000 +
CATEGORIES:
$14,999
$29,999
$44,999
$59,999
$74,999
Finally, I am going to read a list of racial and ethnic categories.
Would you tell me what category best describes you?
INTERVIEWERS: READ LIST BUT NOT WHAT'S IN ALL-CAPS. ALWAYS READ FIRST 3
CATEGORIES.
1 White, [NOT HISPANIC]
2 [READ ONE:] African American I Black, [NOT HISPANIC]
3 Hispanic. . . ?
4 Asian? [INCLUDING SOUTH ASIAN]
5 American Indian? [ALSO CALLED NATIVE AMERICAN]
6 OTHER
7 REFUSED I NO ANSWER
A-l7
· .
2#473
Q#474
Q#477
A-IS
INTERVIEWERS; RECORD SEX OF RESPONDENT BELOW. IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO TELL
FROM THE INTERVIEW, SAY; Now I need to put down if you are male or
female.
1 MALE
2 FEMALE
That's all the questions I have for you. Before we finish up, are there
any other comments you'd like to make?
{open-ended response}
Thank you very much for participating. We appreciate the time you have
taken to complete this i.nterview.
[READ IF NECESSARY;] If you have any questions on the purpose of this
study, please call our study director at 924-6523.
Again, thank you and goodbye.
INTERVIEWERS; HANG UP THE PHONE IMMEDIATELY
THEN PRESS "1" TO CONTINUE
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
THE RESULTS OF THIS CALL WILL NOT BE SAVED UNTIL YOU
COMPLETE THE REMAINING QUESTIONS