GG the Week of September 6, 2022 part 2: Albemarle to consider rezoning for 250 units; Louisa County PC to consider allowing deadline extension for solar facility
What's happening on Wednesday at government meetings in Virginia's Fifth Congressional District
There is so much happening on Tuesday, September 6 that I could not fit it all into the first post of the week. So, this edition is for Wednesday.
Wednesday, September 7, 2022
Albemarle Board to take up rezoning for 250 units on Rio Road near Four Seasons
The six-member Albemarle County Board of Supervisors will meet at 1 p.m. (meeting agenda)
After the usual items at the beginning of the meeting, Supervisors will first take up a special exception for a homestay in the Scottsville Magisterial District and another in the Rivanna Magisterial District.
After that, two financial issues with the first being an update to the county’s Financial Management Policies. One observation is that a policy that dedicated 60 percent of new revenues with the School Board has been amended. (staff report)
The second is an adoption of the budget calendar for FY24 as well changes to the budget process. One is a modification to the way nonprofits are funded to include a section for capital requests from those groups. (staff report)
As with Louisa County, Albemarle is also preparing for the next General Assembly session. They’ll review what they asked for in 2022 including failed requests that they might want to renew. One is to expand the authority for photo-speed cameras to apply to rural roads where regular traffic enforcement is made difficult by a lack of shoulders. (staff report)
The afternoon session concludes with an update from the chair of the Albemarle County School Board. One fact from the written report is that the enrollment at Albemarle High School has climbed over 2,000 for the first time. Another is that pupils minority groups make up a majority of the school population. (staff report)
In the evening session, there are two public hearings.
The first is a rezoning request to rezone property at 954 Old Lynchburg Road from Rural Areas zoning to R-2 residential. The land is within the designated growth area.The two acres property will see the construction of one single family home. (staff report)
The second is a rezoning of five parcels of land totaling 8.15 acres on Rio Road West from R-6 to Planned Residential Development to build up to 250 units.
“The proposed community would offer needed housing options for County residents and employees of nearby business and employment centers, and would significantly contribute to the urban redevelopment of the surrounding area envisioned by the Rio29 Small Area Plan, including by adding more residents who will support the implementation of the Rio29 Small Area Plan,” reads the narrative for the project. (staff report)
The Planning Commission voted 6 to 0 to recommend approval of the project.
Fluvanna Supervisors to learn about TJPDC road safety grant, Dominion activity
The five member Fluvanna County Board of Supervisors will meet at 5 p.m. in the Carysbrook Performing Arts Center in Fork Union.(meeting packet)
In the first action item, Fluvanna will also be briefed on the Safe Streets and Roads for All Comprehensive Safety Action Plan grant application. In the third, TJPDC will brief Supervisors on development of a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy with funding from the U.S. Economic Development Administration.
“The CEDS will facilitate a strategic blueprint for regional collaboration and grant opportunities such as the Build Back Better Grant (focusing on tourism and revitalization) which needs a regional CEDS plan in order to apply,” reads the staff report.
Fluvanna County is contributing $2,097.04 as their contribution to the local match.
There are three presentations. One of the is an update on Dominion Energy’s activities in Fluvanna County, followed by an appearance from TJPDC Director of Legislative Services on the 2023 legislative agenda for the region. Then there will be a request from Fork Union’s fire company for capital funds for a tanker.
There are no public hearings.
Nelson County Supervisors to learn about proposed recreation center
The five member Board of Supervisors will meet at 2 p.m. for a special meeting that will be held in the former Board room at the courthouse in Lovingston. The topic will be a presentation on a proposed recreation center. There’s no information available in advance. (meeting info)
The five-member Fluvanna County Board of Supervisors meets at 5 p.m. in the Carysbrook Performing Arts Center in Fork Union. (agenda packet)
Thursday, September 8, 2022
Louisa County Planning Commission to hold three public hearings including one for solar amendment
The Louisa County Planning Commission will meet at 5 p.m. for a long range planning session followed by a regular meeting at 7 p.m. The two topics at the work session are an overview of an ongoing review the PC will do of its own role in the county’s land use process, as well as a discussion of shifting some land use penalties to civil offenses rather than criminal.
In the first public hearing, the Commission will take up renewal of and additions to the Shelton’s Mill Agricultural-Forestal District (AFD) and the second is an addition to the South Anna AFD.
The third is a request for an amendment to a conditional use permit for an already approved 94-megawatt utility-scale solar facility.
“The applicant’s reason for the requested amendment is that Aura Power Developments (USA), LLC and Mine & Hemmer, L.C., have encountered unexpected delays in obtaining a final interconnection agreement from PJM, which is a prerequisite to start of construction,” reads the staff report on page 51.
The staff report details the causes of the delay. For those interested in solar in Virginia, this is one worth reviewing either in person or in the minutes.