Goochland Supervisors to appoint interim for District 4; Campbell Supervisors to consider 59-unit single-family rezoning; Lynchburg to be briefed on $70M CSO tunnel
Plus: Legislative agendas on tap in Powhatan, Lynchburg, and Albemarle
This Halloween edition of the Government Glance for the Fifth Congressional District is in costume with an installment where many meetings are slightly out sequence.
There are no known meetings on Halloween, but this is not out of fear of ghouls and goblins gallivanting in government. Rather, this is the fifth Monday of the month, and that means it’s not one in which you would regularly schedule a meeting.
However, this is the time of year when meeting schedules are affected by the strange gravity that comes at the end of the year when holidays and elections affect everything else. You will note there are two special meetings related to discussions with legislators this week, as well as a work session in Lynchburg.
Let’s get to it!
Tuesday, November 1, 2022
Lynchburg Council to hold work session on legislative agenda; consider major rezoning on Old Graves Mill Road
The seven-member Lynchburg City Council will have a work session beginning at 4 p.m. followed by a regular session at 7:30 p.m. This meeting is not at the Council’s regular time.
The work session begins with an update of the city’s Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) project and planning for a tunnel to travel over a mile.
“Since the beginning of the City’s CSO Program in the 1980’s the City has eliminated 115 of 132 overflow points and reduced total overflow volume by 93 percent,” reads the staff report. “To date, over $307 million have been spent on the program.”
The $70 million tunnel project is being paid for in part through $50 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds.
Council will also be briefed on upcoming holiday events ranging from the CASA Super Hero Run at Percival’s Island on November 5 to the Lynchburg Christmas Parade on December 4. Take a look here for the full list.
Next, Council will take up the proposed legislative agenda for the 2023 General Assembly. There are a series of principles such as a request that the state government pay for its share of services it mandates.
One specific piece of legislation requested is a removal of a requirement that a law enforcement officer be present when transporting people with Emergency Custody Orders (ECO’s) or who are in Temporary Detention Orders.
“The City of Lynchburg has seen a large increase in mental health issues over the last several years, which has resulted in an increased number of patients under both an ECO and TDO,” reads the staff report. “This requires additional law enforcement officers to stay with these patients at the hospital, taking them away from answering calls for service and engaging with residents.”
The draft agenda also calls on more support for regional airports, power for localities to transfer blighted properties to land banks, and additional funding for programs that implement the Children’s Services Act.
There’s a lot of requests and elected officials in one locality would do well to read what other places are requesting.
The work session ends with briefings on two items that will come back to Council at the December 13 meeting. One is a potential creation of an ordinance related to requiring liability insurance for professional filming on city streets. The other is for a rezoning for Grace Orthodox Presbyterian Church from Light Industrial District to General Business District.
“The church has been in operation since at least 1955 and is currently considered a legal nonconforming use in the I-2, Light Industrial District,” reads the staff report.
In the regular meeting there are several public hearings for items Council has already been briefed on.
The General Services Administration seeks to rent more space at the Lynchburg Regional Airport (staff report)
A landowner seeks rezoning of 1.29 acres on Gardens Way from Low Density Residential District to High Density Residential District for six townhouses (staff report)
Providence Church seeks a conditional use permit for 108 Melinda Drive for a 500-seat sanctuary (staff report)
A developer doing business as ZZ & ZZ LLC seeks a Comprehensive Plan amendment to the Future Land Use Map from Medium Density to High Density residential for 11.93 acres of undeveloped land off of Old Graves Mill Road for 169 apartments, 29 condominiums, and other amenities. The Planning Commission recommended approval on October 12 after recommending denial of an earlier version of the plan. (staff report)
Sutton Landscaping seeks a rezoning of 0.477 acres to allow use of an existing building as a landscaping services office with parking for commercial vehicles. (staff report)
Goochland Supervisors to consider appointment of interim District 4 supervisor
The five-member Goochland County Board of Supervisors meets at 2 p.m. in Board Meeting Room 250 at 1800 Sandy Hook Road in Goochland. There is currently one open seat due to the death of District 4 Supervisor Don Sharpe. (agenda packet)
Filling that vacancy is the first item of business, and Supervisors will go into closed session immediately after the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Under new business, Goochland Christmas Mother Grace Creasey will make an appearance. The Goochland Christmas Mother Association raises money for eligible families in Goochland who need help purchasing food, clothing and other items.
In other new items, Reynolds Community College President Dr. Paul Pando will make a presentation and Dominion Energy will provide an update on the Regional Internet Service Expansion (RISE) project.
After a dinner break there will be four public hearings:
There’s a resolution to amend the FY23 budget to reflect state school construction funds.
A landowner on Roads End Land seeks a conditional use permit to build a detached accessory housing unit on a 15 acre parcel.
Columbia Gas Transmission seeks an amendment to an existing Conditional Use Permit to allow for an expansion of an existing natural gas compressor station on a 29.6 acre property.
There’s a boundary line adjustment with Louisa County regarding ten parcels of land.
Powhatan Supervisors and School Board meet to discuss 2023 legislative agenda
The Powhatan County Board of Supervisors will meet with the Powhatan County School Board at 6:30 p.m. in the Pocahontas Landmark Center. The agenda has a mix of regular government business and discussions on education policy (agenda packet).
The following are recommendations for the legislative agenda for the 2023 General Assembly:
Powhatan seeks greater protections for water quality from mega landfills such as the one proposed in Cumberland County. Specifically, they want impacts to private drinking wells to be treated the same as those to public drinking water supplies.
Powhatan wants state reimbursement for more administrative services required to keep the Department of Social Services operating.
Powhatan wants to be reimbursed by the Commonwealth for the expansion of early voting that began with legislation that passed the 2020 General Assembly.
Powhatan’s Registrar Karen Alexander seeks a removal of a requirement to report absentee results by precinct.
Powhatan seeks increased staffing at Powhatan State Park to create an environmental education program for the park, which was created in 2003. Supervisors also want funding for two additional phases of a master plan to add expanded campgrounds, equestrian facilities, cabins, and family lodges.
Powhatan wants the General Assembly to cover the cost of responsibilities placed on local government. This is the second year that a request against further undated mandates is on the list.
Powhatan seeks a “Code of Conduct for Special Education” related to students with Individualized Education Plans.
Under old business, the two bodies will get an update on the “Education Connection Trails” to connect Powhatan Middle School to the YMCA and other destinations. A bid to add 6,132 linear feet of new trail is expected to be released in December and a project contract awarded in January.
In a second item under old business, the two boards will get an update on a project to improve Judes Ferry Road and Route 60. A Smart Scale project applied for in 2018 was eventually funded and the additional left hand turn lane has been designed.
“Now that it has progressed to the design phase, the project’s cost has increased and we face a funding shortfall,” writes Interim County Administrator Bret Schardein in a staff report. “[The Virginia Department of Transportation] worked to find every possible alternative and cost savings, and now have a plan that which brings the cost to about $1.1M over budget, while not compromising on any of the benefits.”
An economist briefed the Commonwealth Transportation Board last week on what structural changes are happening that are leading to higher construction estimates. Take a look at a story I wrote on Information Charlottesville.
Under new business:
Supervisors will consider an amendment to the 2023 budget to incorporate $428,382.41 in federal grants for school bonus pay. A public hearing is not required because that amount is under one percent of the total budget.
There will be a discussion of additional school construction funds and additional funds specifically for HVAC installation. There are multiple sources, including nearly $1.8 million in school construction funds from the state’s biennial budget.
Supervisors will consider a request to amend county code to allow stop-arm cameras on school buses. There is a specific incident referred to in the meeting materials.
There will be a discussion of the revenue stabilization fund.
There will be a discussion of savings from FY22 and how they might be carried over.
Wednesday Club seeks tax exemption from Danville City Council
The nine-member Danville City Council will meet for a regular meeting at 7 p.m. followed by a work session. This is another meeting shifted due to various events happening the week after. (regular agenda) (work session agenda)
In the first item of new business, the Wednesday Club of Danville is seeking a tax exempt status to allow them to retain $2,916.48 in real property taxes for their location at 1002 Main Street.
“Since 1893, the Wednesday Club has served Danville and surrounding areas by providing weekly programs designed to enhance the public’s interest in music, education, literature, the arts, and other components of our society,” reads a letter to city manager Ken Larking from club President Jane Willis.
The second is a public hearing and consideration of a special use permit for St. Luke’s United Methodist Church to operate a child care facility at 2090 N. Main Street. The Danville Planning Commission voted 6 to 0 to recommend approval at its meeting on October 11.
Next, Danville is looking to follow Lynchburg’s lead in reducing business license taxes for companies below a certain gross income. Specifically, the annual fee would be lowered from $60 to $50 for companies below $100,00 a year. (staff report)
In the fourth item, Council will be asked to waive bus fares on Election Day. (staff report)
In the fifth item, Council is asked to add two standards related to the Public Utilities Regulatory Policies Act of 1978. These relate to “Demand Response and Demand Flexibility” and “Electric Vehicle Charging Programs.”
In item number six, Council will be asked to rescind a moral obligation agreement it entered into on July 2, 2022 for the White Mill property with American National Bank and Trust Company. The company wants to update the agreement (staff report)
The staff report for the new agreement provides more context for the action, which paves the way for a sublease.
“The project will cover the cost of constructing approximately 147,105 square feet of commercial space and 84,773 square feet of parking, also known as ‘Condo 1’ within the building,” reads the staff report for item number 7 (technically G). “American National Bank has committed a loan of $21,000,000 with White Mill Shell & Commercial LLC.”
The eighth item is a receipt of $86,999 from the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice for various programs. This is the first reading. (staff report)
Item number nine is for $31,746 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for food services at W. W. Moore, Jr. Detention Home. (staff report)
The final report is for a $106,554.40 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to assist with the creation of a community policing program.
“[The Danville Police Department] will work with Drs. Roberto and Rachel Santos at the Center for Police Practice, Policy, and Research at Radford University to conduct a comprehensive case study to understand the effects of DPD’s efforts on its relationship with the community and city officials, its organizational culture, and crime and disorder,” reads the staff report.
Campbell County Supervisors to affirm purchase of church property
The seven-member Campbell County Board of Supervisors will meet for a time-shifted regular meeting to avoid having one on Election Night. They’ll meet at the Haberer Building Boardroom. (agenda)
In the first item of business, Administrator Frank Rogers will update Supervisors on a proposal for the county to purchase land from Rustburg Presbyterian Church.
“The Rustburg Presbyterian Church is a unique architectural feature in the Village of Rustburg,” reads the agenda. “The County will acquire the building and associated parcels for $150,000. In the future, the facility will be converted to County office and meeting space.”
There are several land use public hearings:
An applicant seeks rezoning of 1.5 acres at 20795 Lynchburg Highway in Forest from “Business - General Commercial and Agricultural” to “Business - Heavy Commercial” to allow for an automotive body repair shop. The Planning Commission voted 7 to 0 to recommend approval.
A landowner at 523 Dawnridge Drive seeks a special use permit to authorize renting out a portion of the house to overnight guests through AirBnB. The Planning Commission voted 7 to 0 to recommend approval.
A landowner at 684 Arrington Drive in Evington seeks a special use permit to allow for one additional dwelling unit within an existing single family home. The Planning Commission voted 7 to 0 to recommend approval.
A developer seeks a rezoning of 55.374 acres in Evington from Agricultural to Residential for a new neighborhood with 59 building lots. The Planning Commission voted 6 to 1 to recommend approval.
Amherst Supervisors to consider two requests of ARPA funding
The five-member Amherst County Board of Supervisors will meet at 3 p.m. in the administration building at 153 Washington Street. (agenda)
After the invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, there will be a first reading of adjustments to the water and sewer rates charged by the Amherst County Service Authority. A second reading will be held at a joint meeting with the ACSA Board on November 15.
Under old business, there are two items. The first is an update on how Amherst has used its $6.14 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding. There’s also a request to use $8,500 to address mold issues in the Department of Social Services office and another request to use $10,000 to fix the broken sound system in the public meeting room.
Next, Supervisors will continue a discussion of goals and objectives and will be asked to adopt the draft list. (2022 Goals Objectives Strategies)
Under new business, there will be an update on Amherst County’s efforts to work with the VA250 Commission to plan for the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. There will also be two items related to employee health care plans.
End of this installment
We’re close to 2,700 words, so it’s time to publish this one. I’ll post a second installment with items happening on Wednesday and Friday, but all we have left are Albemarle County and Fluvanna County. Those are usually in the Week Ahead newsletter that goes out on Charlottesville Community Engagement, so there will be some duplication.
As always, please send me feedback or comments. Or perhaps more importantly, please send this on to other people you think would benefit from knowing what’s coming up at local government meetings all across the Fifth Congressional District.
Thanks for reading!