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I'm listening to Albemarle County Supervisor Ann Mallek's virutal town hall tonight.
She usually does a few of these a year (in person). There are almost 60 people on the Zoom, she said.
She usually does a few of these a year (in person). There are almost 60 people on the Zoom, she said.
She asked people to send in questions ahead of time if possible, and she's going to answer those first.
All the master plan update questions will be answered at the end.
All the master plan update questions will be answered at the end.
I haven't written about the master plan update in awhile, but there's been a lot of discussions about density and the county keeping up with infrastructure (mainly roads and schools).
But we'll get to that later.
But we'll get to that later.
Ann said the police are working with community development around answering noise complaints from agritourism (wineries, etc.).
She's asking people to slow down, citing cut through traffic problems in some neighborhoods.
She reminds people to lock their cars, garages, sheds.
She's asking people to slow down, citing cut through traffic problems in some neighborhoods.
She reminds people to lock their cars, garages, sheds.
First question is about the ability to adopt an ordinance baring firearms from county properties. She said the process will start in January (public hearing type stuff, etc.).
2. Broadband in Earlysville -- Ann says they need to consider a shared ownership model like Orange
2. Broadband in Earlysville -- Ann says they need to consider a shared ownership model like Orange
3. ranked choice voting -- county attorney points to @SallyLHudson's legislation adopted last year, effective next year.
4. traffic and speeding around Dick Woods Road near Nelson. She said speed was reduced, and enforcement will be done by police.
4. traffic and speeding around Dick Woods Road near Nelson. She said speed was reduced, and enforcement will be done by police.
5. Someone wants a dead end road side on Smith Road. Ann says she'll be following up on that.
6. Something about US 250...there would need to be a study.
7. Many questions about Western Park. There is some money to start phase 1. Some final decisions are still needed.
6. Something about US 250...there would need to be a study.
7. Many questions about Western Park. There is some money to start phase 1. Some final decisions are still needed.
8. Elementary School Expansion question -- Ann is now talking about the budget (I'll have a story this weekend on the CIP discussion from yesterday's meeting.) She says the school board will need to say which school project is their highest priority (Likely Crozet, she says)
9. climate -- she said she's gotten a lot of rain, but not as bad as 2018. Question is about a tree/tree canopy ordinance. They've asked about this to the General Assembly, some work was done last year, she says.
"I've been trying really hard to work directly w/developers"
"I've been trying really hard to work directly w/developers"
10. Smith Road broadband -- she implies that CVEC may expand there once they start expanding outside their electric customers. Wants dominion to add fiber. Hopefully more info coming.
11. Closure of browns gap turnpike for Beaver Creek Dam (construction isn't happening on this until 2024, final designs in 2022). she says they're looking at an alternative, still don't know costs for that. Easier to close a road and get it all done. She understands concerns.
12. What part of the budget is most impacted by the pandemic? Taxes, she says, not necessarily real estate, but sales, TOT, etc. Still uncertain.
Impact on Crozet -- potential for capital projects. Schools, roads (Eastern Ave bridge).
Impact on Crozet -- potential for capital projects. Schools, roads (Eastern Ave bridge).
13. What is ranked choice voting?
Read here: https://dailyprogress.com/news/politics/hudsons-ranked-choice-voting-bill-advances/article_c780ce4c-b1d2-5d3d-80f6-fcf1fff2fe83.html
Read here: https://dailyprogress.com/news/politics/hudsons-ranked-choice-voting-bill-advances/article_c780ce4c-b1d2-5d3d-80f6-fcf1fff2fe83.html
14. How do we get cell service in White Hall?
Ann is explaining why companies don't build out in rural areas (because the ROI isn't good).
Also, FYI, Albemarle hasn't done a full update of it's cell tower policy in nearly 20 years https://dailyprogress.com/news/local/white-hall-cell-tower-highlights-growing-need-for-broadband/article_27287572-d091-11e7-b5c2-5f4b59253ee6.html
Ann is explaining why companies don't build out in rural areas (because the ROI isn't good).
Also, FYI, Albemarle hasn't done a full update of it's cell tower policy in nearly 20 years https://dailyprogress.com/news/local/white-hall-cell-tower-highlights-growing-need-for-broadband/article_27287572-d091-11e7-b5c2-5f4b59253ee6.html
15. Tourism figures for wineries/breweries? This person alleges these businesses have leverage and get lots of money from Albemarle.
Ann points to changes to state laws that don't allow the county to do much.
Ann points to changes to state laws that don't allow the county to do much.
16. Downtown Crozet Initiative question.
They're separate from the county.
The first phase of the redevelopment of the former Barnes Lumber site received approval in 2019. Ann said they're still working through road plans: https://dailyprogress.com/news/local/rezoning-approved-for-barnes-lumber-site-redevelopment/article_a62a737b-55e9-5919-87cd-e3776dba30ab.html
They're separate from the county.
The first phase of the redevelopment of the former Barnes Lumber site received approval in 2019. Ann said they're still working through road plans: https://dailyprogress.com/news/local/rezoning-approved-for-barnes-lumber-site-redevelopment/article_a62a737b-55e9-5919-87cd-e3776dba30ab.html
17. Considering homestay ordinance changes?
The board said no earlier this year: https://dailyprogress.com/news/local/albemarle-puts-the-brakes-on-changes-to-homestay-regulations/article_5298f9ba-f8d2-58fe-887a-cd38aa2c4cf8.html
The board said no earlier this year: https://dailyprogress.com/news/local/albemarle-puts-the-brakes-on-changes-to-homestay-regulations/article_5298f9ba-f8d2-58fe-887a-cd38aa2c4cf8.html
18. Is there a plan to slow down residential growth in Crozet?
She said they're "drowning in their own success." She said she's never thought it was a good idea to pack everyone in as much as possible.
She said they're "drowning in their own success." She said she's never thought it was a good idea to pack everyone in as much as possible.
19. Sidewalk along tabor, etc. ?
Ann says not able to proceed with it now due to state funding issues, needs a lot of right-of-way, will end up cutting down trees.
Ann says not able to proceed with it now due to state funding issues, needs a lot of right-of-way, will end up cutting down trees.
20. Boonesville, Free Union road issues
Ann will go look.
Ann will go look.
21. Infrastructure in older neighborhoods/older streets/pocket parks?
Ann says it's important, no magic answer.
Ann says it's important, no magic answer.
this person also wants the county to purchase land for a park on lower Saint George Ave.
22. I don't know what the question was.
Ann is talking about the Dillon Rule and proffers....
Oh, they want approvals of new housing to be delayed or denied until infrastructure catches up.
Ann says no....
Ann is talking about the Dillon Rule and proffers....
Oh, they want approvals of new housing to be delayed or denied until infrastructure catches up.
Ann says no....
23 & 24 sound similar.
Ann says she want's to make sure the quality of life for current residents is protected than "galloping into" more housing.
Ann says she want's to make sure the quality of life for current residents is protected than "galloping into" more housing.
25. Response times for fire/rescue and police, need more staff?
Police have been increased, she says.
Have had to hire fire/rescue staff to replace volunteer shifts, have increased that staff.
I could add a bunch of stories about fire/rescue issues.
Police have been increased, she says.
Have had to hire fire/rescue staff to replace volunteer shifts, have increased that staff.
I could add a bunch of stories about fire/rescue issues.
26. Traffic enforcement on Dick Woods Road.
27. Sidewalks to connect Highlands to downtown? Not soon
28. Drainage on Clark Road? Ann will call her
27. Sidewalks to connect Highlands to downtown? Not soon
28. Drainage on Clark Road? Ann will call her
29. Whitegate Farm?
I think they deferred it..
Ann has no answers
I think they deferred it..
Ann has no answers
30. Pledge that she will adhere to Crozet master plan density as it already approved?
Ann says she does not support any increases in density, except in specific circumstances like Bamboo Grove. She called it "useful and provides the type of growth that we need" (it's very small)
Ann says she does not support any increases in density, except in specific circumstances like Bamboo Grove. She called it "useful and provides the type of growth that we need" (it's very small)
31. Park road issue with Crozet Park expansion?
Ann said she had a meeting about it today. Connectivity in neighborhoods is important. People need to drive safer, she says.
Ann said she had a meeting about it today. Connectivity in neighborhoods is important. People need to drive safer, she says.
32. I can't see the question yet.
Ann basically said she's been trying to keep people out.
Ann basically said she's been trying to keep people out.
33. Downtown overlay protecting historic homes?
34. WARS expansion, developers and new residents should pay for it (!!!!!!) -- ann encourages people to support the agency in any way they can
34. WARS expansion, developers and new residents should pay for it (!!!!!!) -- ann encourages people to support the agency in any way they can
35. Another White gate farm question/comment
36. traffic enforcement comments. Ann wants cameras.
37. Another new brewery?
38. Nelson mutual aid? Not sure.
36. traffic enforcement comments. Ann wants cameras.
37. Another new brewery?
38. Nelson mutual aid? Not sure.
39. How do we persuade other supervisors to slow growth?
Ann says to tell them your thoughts.
Ann says to tell them your thoughts.
40. How can we advocate/protect our community from over development?
Get involved with the master plan, says Ann, letters to the editor in the progress, come to meetings
Get involved with the master plan, says Ann, letters to the editor in the progress, come to meetings
- Will a Route 29 bypass ever happen?
Me: no.
Me: no.
A question about taxes
Ann says growth doesn't pay for itself and the services needed.
"We don't need to be in any magazine or book about the best place to live because we graduate 6,000 future residents every year."
Ann says growth doesn't pay for itself and the services needed.
"We don't need to be in any magazine or book about the best place to live because we graduate 6,000 future residents every year."
The town hall is over after comments from Ann about staying safe from COVID.
