Danville City Council to accept Caesars' funding to implement Schoolfield Master Plan; Amherst to consider options for waste transfer station
The second of three newsletters this first week of June
The second newsletter begins with a confession I didn’t include today’s meeting of the Halifax County Board of Supervisors in the newsletter yesterday. I am hopeful that eventually I’ll get to a point where I always include them as best I can.
You could argue I could use artificial intelligence to do a lot of this work. But then how would I learn as a human being the knowledge I am hoping to obtain by attempting to write about government meetings across Virginia’s entire Fifth District.
My decision to commit my life to journalism is a decision to live my life doing what I want to do. I am alive and I am human, just as you are. Somehow my lifelong dream was to be paid to write. I’ve been very fortunate and I’m hopeful that you are getting some benefit from the work.
Thank you to the reader who pledged a subscription if this were to go paid! At the moment, I’m not sure if one can have two paid newsletters on Substack. I’m also not sure I can do this second newsletter without another human.
I want more people to have knowledge about this place. That’s why I do this. I’m hopeful that’s why you are reading.
Amherst Supervisors to decide on future of solid waste transfer station
The five-member Board of Supervisors in Amherst County will meet at 3 p.m. in the administration building in the public meeting room at 153 Washington Street. (meeting info)
After the usual start to the meeting, Supervisors will hold first reading of an amendment to the zoning ordinance for the “Mixed-Use - Traditional Neighborhood Development” districts. The change is related to the size of a Neighborhood Center and to increase some building sizes and reduce others. .
There will be an annual report from an organization created to program and operate the former Amherst Baptist Church as a community creative center.
“As Second Stage enters its eleventh year of operation, they look to their Mission and Values statements to measure their success,” reads the staff report.
Under old business, Supervisors will resume a conversation on the options for the solid waste transfer station.
“The Board is being asked to consider keeping the Transfer Station open as-is, converting it to a convenience center, or closing it altogether,” reads the staff report.
Keeping it open will require hiring two full-time operators and staff is recommending proceeding and increasing rates to pay for their salaries.
There will also be an analysis report on the Bolton 457(b) and a resolution to continue the use of Bolton Consulting Services. This relates to pay scales and compensation.
Under new business they will discuss a potential code change related to the postponing of public hearings.
Danville City Council to accept $360K from Caesars LLC for Schoolfield Master Plan
The nine-member Danville City Council will meet at 7 p.m. for a regular meeting followed by a work session. (regular meeting info)
The meeting will begin with an update on Plan Danville, the name given to the city’s update of the Comprehensive Plan. (view the website)
Under old business, there will be a consideration of various fee changes. A public hearing was held on May 16. These include imposition of a $75 fee for a zoning letter verification
Under new business, there are several public hearing on land use matters:
There’s a rezoning for 3300 North Main Street from Neighborhood Commercial to Highway Retail Commercial. An existing structure would be removed and replaced with a Dollar Tree. The Planning Commission recommended the rezoning on a 6 to 0 vote.
There will also be a public hearing for a special use permit for two duplexes proposed on Baldwin Street. The Planning Commission recommended the rezoning on a 6 to 0 vote.
There will also be a public hearing for a special use permit for a duplex proposed at 821 Hughes Street. The Planning Commission recommended the rezoning on a 6 to 0 vote.
There will be an amendment to the zoning ordinance to create a West Main Street Corridor Overlay. This is to regulate growth and is part of the Schoolfield Master Plan developed by the firm WRT.
There will be an amendment to the zoning ordinance related to campground
There will be a consideration for the renewal of a radio tower lease at 646 Eagle Springs Road.
There will also be consideration of an update of the city’s transient occupancy tax.
There will also be consideration of an easement with Appalachian Power for the West Fork Substation.
There will also be consideration of $360,000 funding from Caesars LLC for the Schoolfield Master Plan mentioned above.
There will also be an amendment to the FY23 budget for a recreation enrichment program of $262,494.
There will also be a public hearing on the FY24 budget and capital plan.
The Danville City Council Work Session will feature an update on economic development. (meeting info)
Campbell Supervisors to seek new firm for waste hauling, to hold several land use hearings
The seven member Board of Supervisors in Campbell County will meet in the Haberer Building Boardroom in Rustburg at 6 p.m. (meeting portal)
Campbell County updates its county code once a year to reflect changes made in the General Assembly. Supervisors will authorize a public hearing for the August 1 meeting. The Planning Commission will review the changes at their public hearing on July 24.
Supervisors will also consider whether to renew a solid waste hauling contract with Republic Services. Costs are projected to increase by seven percent.
“In addition to hauling, the contract provides the essential equipment, such as compactors and hoppers, at all nine (9) transfer sites,” reads the staff report. “It provides five (5) dumpsters located on the County complex and 38 dumpsters for the schools.”
Staff is suggesting submitting a request for proposals for other contractors.
Supervisors will also consider an application through the Tobacco Revitalization Region Commission for grant funding for site preparation work at Seneca Commerce Park.
“The draft application estimates the project cost for engineering on lots J, K, and L at $1.2 million,” reads the staff report.
Supervisors will also be asked to approve a contract with SCS Engineers for groundwater monitoring services at the now-closed Campbell County Landfill.
There are a few land use public hearings:
A landowner on Waterlick Road seeks a rezoning from Single Family to Business to construct a mini-storage facility. An existing home would be removed in favor of an 82-unit building.
A landowner on Semmes Court seeks an additional dwelling unit within an existing single family dwelling.
A landowner on Alum Springs Road seeks a rezoning from Single Family to Business for a coffee shop, event venue, and tourist house. An existing building used to be a general store at one point.
A landowner of 387 acres seeks a rezoning from Single Family to Agricultural for silvacultural uses.
There’s also a public hearing for Rustburg Dixie Softball to be tax exempt.
Goochland Supervisors to learn about three year plan for transportation projects
The five member Board of Supervisors in Goochland County will begin their day at 11:30 a.m. with a transportation work session followed by a regular meeting at 2 p.m. (work session packet)
“The first part of the workshop will focus on a staff presentation reviewing Smart Scale results for the upcoming VDOT Six Year Improvement Plan,” reads the staff report.
Smart Scale is one of the ways that the Virginia Department of Transportation and the Commonwealth Transportation Board decide what projects get funded.
“An overview of the Goochland Local Six Year Plan to highlight and track local expenditures on transportation projects and how it ties into the Goochland Capital Improvement Plan will be provided,” the report continues.
Supervisors will then be briefed on what projects will be pursued for funding in the next three years.
“It is the intent of these Plans to remain flexible as transportation priorities can change with evolving safety needs, congestion, funding opportunities and development,” reads the report.
The regular meeting begins at 2 p.m. (meeting info)
Several reports will be presented at the beginning of the meeting including an introduction of new county staff and one on planning and development activity.
Under new business there will be a presentation of the Communications Strategic Plan.
After a dinner break, public hearings will begin after 6 p.m.
There’s a rezoning application for nearly 40 acres of land zoned Agricultural-2 to Industrial General on Pony Farm Road. However, this item is deferred until July 3.
There’s a public hearing to amend the FY23 budget to appropriate over $1.48 million for the extension of Fairground Road.
Reading material:
McDermid in the Running for White Hall School Board Seat, Lisa Martin, Crozet Gazette, June 2, 2023
Tunstall residents oppose development in first community meeting, Drew Mumich, Chatham Star-Tribune, June 2, 2023
Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority to hold ribbon cutting for public housing redevelopments, Erin O’Hare, Charlottesville Tomorrow, June 2, 2023
Experts, politicians weigh in on Laufer-Squire race, Sydney Shuler, Charlottesville Daily Progress, June 4, 2023
After Buckingham, more Virginia registrars find themselves on chopping block, Graham Moomaw, Virginia Mercury, June 5, 2023
How Danville has drastically reduced its crime rate since 2016, Grace Mamon, Cardinal News, June 5, 2023