Public hearing in Pittsylvania County is precursor to large development; Halifax seeks Danville’s support for waterline expansion to raceway
Plus: Amherst Supervisors raising some water and sewer fees
If you’re new to this newsletter, it’s an experimental one that seeks to expand awareness of local government meetings in the localities that make up Virginia’s Fifth Congressional District. At the bottom of each one is a list of recent stories that may be of interest to anyone who wants to know more about what’s going on.
I’m interested. I’ve lived in the Fifth District for most of my life having grown up in Campbell County. My parents have been residents there for over forty years and I’ve been in Charlottesville for nearly 21 years.
I’m learning a lot doing this work and hope that you will as well. Please send it on to others so we can build the audience. If you want to support the work, consider a contribution through Patreon or pledge a Substack subscription. I may turn that on soon if I can figure out how to do so without messing up my main feed, Charlottesville Community Engagement.
In this edition:
Pittsylvania Supervisors to hold a public hearing on zoning changes in anticipation of large development with over a thousand new homes.
Amherst County Supervisors will consider two special exceptions and discuss ways to cover a $10.5 million shortfall for construction at the county high school
Danville will consider a resolution supporting Halifax County’s efforts to extend a waterline to the Virginia International Raceway.
Some older articles in the “reading material” reflecting things this reporter missed in late June.
Pittsylvania Supervisors and School Board to discuss land acquisition
The seven-member Board of Supervisors in Pittsylvania County will meet with the School Board at 3:30 p.m. That’s the first of three meetings today. (agenda #1)
The first work session will be closed to the public as the two bodies will discuss the acquisition of property. However, the agenda identifies this as “Jail Land.”
The second work session begins at 4:30 p.m. and takes place in the Board Meeting room at 39 Bank Street in Chatham. There are two presentations. (agenda #2)
The first is a presentation from the Virginia Department of Transportation on improvements at Tightsqueeze and the Route 57 East Bridge update. Here’s a description on the former:
“The project consists of reconfiguring the existing signalized intersection at US Route 29 and Tightsqueeze/ Fairfield Roads (Route 703) to a Restricted Crossing U-Turn (RCUT),” reads the Virginia Department of Transportation’s website. “The RCUT design redirects left and through movements on Tight Squeeze Rd. and Fairview Rd. to turn right onto Route 29, and then make a U-turn to cross the median at one of two new crossover intersections that are located on either side of the main intersection.”
The second is an update on the 2024 reassessment.
“Pittsylvania County has retained Pearson’s Appraisal Service, Inc. to perform its 2024 General Reassessment of real estate, which will become effective on January 1, 2024,” reads the county’s website.
Then there’s another closed session related to the Southside Housing Development rezoning.
The regular meeting begins at 7 p.m. There’s a lot on the consent agenda but i’m running out of time. (agenda #3)
There is one land use public hearing and one on amendments to the county’s ordnance.
A land owner seeks a rezoning from Residential Combined Subdivision District to Agricultural District. This is to allow a second unit to be built on the property. The Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval.
The amendments to the code are PCC §§ 35-295, -296, -298, -301, and -305. This involves the Residential Planned Unit Development District related to a 614 acre development that will include 308 multi-family units, 613 townhomes, and 1,068 single-family homes. There will be commercial units, too. The rezoning itself is on hold until these items related to setbacks and building dimensions are addressed.
Amherst County Supervisors to consider $10.5 million shortfall for new high school
Amherst County has joined the number of localities who use the new CivicPlus interface for their meeting management. Yesterday I tried to better understand how to use this software as I wrote up in this section of the post. Now that I understand it, I can see how this will make it easier to link to information.
The five member Board of Supervisors meets at 7 p.m. in the administration building at 153 Washington Boulevard in Amherst. (meeting files)
There are two public hearings.
One is for a special exception to allow a photography and special event venue on property on Riverville Road. (summary) (staff report)
The second is for a special exception to allow a short-term rental on property in the General Residential District (R-2) at 1648 S. Coolwell Road. (summary) (staff report)
There is a commemorative resolution for David Proffitt.
“The Board recognizes David Proffitt upon his retirement as Amherst County Purchasing
Agent and Deputy County Administrator,” reads the staff report. “David Proffitt served Amherst County as Purchasing Agent since February 1987, eventually adding the title Deputy County Administrator to the role.”
Under new business:
There’s an amendment to an already approved solar project development related to the project’s ownership. Appalachian Power Company is now the owner. (summary)
There’s a resolution of financial support for Amherst County Public Schools related to a $10.5 million shortfall for the construction of new facilities at the Amherst County High School. Specifically, how to finance the additional money required.
“The construction project includes a new auditorium, dining commons, baseball and softball field house, and renovations to the Career and Technical Education wing of Amherst County High School,” reads the project summary. (discussion materials)There’s a resolution for the solid waste rates and fees.
“After a thorough analysis of the costs associated with the provision of solid waste services by Amherst County, it has been determined that it is now necessary to increase certain fees and rates to offset the increased expenses of providing such services,” reads the summary.
Danville City Council to consider two more rental inspection districts
The nine member Danville City Council will meet at 7 p.m. in the municipal building. (meeting files)
Under new business, Council will hold a public hearing on the expansion of the city’s rental inspection district program.
“The City currently has three rental inspection districts. The northside, Old West End and south
(Schoolfield) inspection districts,” reads the staff report. “This program will create two additional rental inspection districts, one being the Paxton Street area, and the second being Almagro.”
There will also be consideration of the Community Development Program for the current fiscal year. This is also a public hearing and is related to federal Community Development Block Grant funding.
“The CDBG entitlement for fiscal year 2023 is $853,442 which includes $25,000 of anticipated program income,” reads the draft plan. “HOME entitlement is $335,524, which includes anticipated program income of $35,000. Under the HOME program, the City is required to set aside at least 15% of HOME funds for a Community Housing Development Organization.”
Those organizations are the Southside Outreach Group and Habitat for Humanity.
The third item is consideration of a resolution supporting a water main expansion to the Virginia International Railway. Halifax County is seeking an Economic Development Administration grant for the project and needs both Danville and Pittsylvania County’s support.
“This will serve VIR and a nearby industrial park, as well as those along the route of the Waterline,” reads the staff report. “Halifax County has secured about $5 million in funding for the project, which is projected to cost $8.9 million.”
The regular meeting will end with a closed session on legal matters.
There’s also a work session afterward. There’s no agenda listed on the CivicPlus page for that meeting. (take a look)
Reading material:
Note: Some of these may have paywalls. I pay for subscriptions to those I link to but understand many may not be able to do so. I will try to indicate which ones have that.
Growth is bringing big changes to Danville and Pittsylvania County. Residents say the region is prepared for some — but not all, Grace Mamon, Cardinal News, June 21, 2023
Nancy Eanes tapped to fill open seat on Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors, Charles Wilborn, Danville Register & Bee (paywall) , June 21, 2023
Moon to run for 7th term in SR District of Pittsylvania School Board, Altavista Journal, June 21, 2023
