Comments on: Streetscape Concerns in Crozet

By: Edward Strauss

Edward Strauss — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 06:32:13 +0000

Local government is part of the problem. The Jarman Gap problem came
about when the County allowed the housing before road upgrades were
in place. They thought that the state would solve their problem. Nope.
Water will be the next issue they will want to be saved from. They are
really lost but will tell you what you want to hear. Sorry to hear that you are not mature enough to tolerate an opinion other than what you want.
I and others will continue to oppose you. Streetscape project will not
provide water, jobs, or any real improvement to the people that live in
the area. How mant times do they have to tear up and replace the sidewalks for you to realize that the vast majority of people do not stroll up and down them. That money is badly needed elsewhere. Moving to a
area and then wanting to have local government change it to their liking is
an amazing concept to me. There is always the chance that the economy
will worsen or the predators will increase. Maybe that will save us…
The funny thing is that you people are so easy to notice. Just in my trips
to the Post Office. Get out of your car, lock your car, head down,mail letter, unlock car, stagger off. Or, park in handicapped spot cause the
other 3 are full ignoring the rest of the whole lot. But, what I am supposed
to do they cried in terror at the suggestion that they are more screwed up
than they even imagined. If I thought there would even be a slim chance
that Streetscapes would help I could tolerate it but, I don’t see it.

By: Leslie Burns

Leslie Burns — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 16:59:16 +0000

Such good input from so many people. I believe you came here from some other place at one time did you not Ed Strauss? Local governments that plan for growth and how best to contain/mold that growth actually protect farmland and open space from people just landing and sprawling wherever they happen to land. Larger acreage lots do not necessarily work in that plan. Unfortunately for you- you chose to live in a place where others have followed.
Native Americans didn’t have a choice when “the others” came. They basically lost the war and were killed off by disease or weapons. At least you can either 1) learn to adapt to your new neighbors 2) find a location that is a bit further removed. We come in peace.

By: Concerned

Concerned — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:20:02 +0000

Edward

Can’t you see Albemarle Co. is trying hard to protect the rural areas by creating designated growth areas where housing density is concentrated in the growth areas where there is public water and sewer available and the master plans are established to deal with the growth in these areas.

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:05:18 +0000

We’re adding a billion people to our planet every 15 years. Do you really think you’re going to escape the “more people” phenomenon when you live 15 mins. outside a growing metropolitan area? Cities grow, and they usually grow outwards, not upwards, it’s a fact of life. Residents usually respond one of three ways: 1) They accept it; 2) They don’t accept it and move farther out where they can find the rural atmosphere they prefer; or 3) They don’t accept it but don’t move farther out and incessantly complain and grow bitter.

By: Edward Strauss

Edward Strauss — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 07:33:18 +0000

In rural terms 2 acre lots are not large. If you travel outside the immediate Crozet area you will see that the 2 acre concept works quite well. In my opinion tract housing does nothing to enhance rural beauty. For this area to remain rural the tract housing must stop. Streetscapes must go away. Of course, If you want an urban area with a view of the mountains in the distance, that just could happen… Now I will ask what
would Western Albemarle and the extended Crozet area look like without
the above mentioned housing developments? Has their been an improvement? Less jobs, more expensive, more people, less opportunity,
changing lifestyle. No right answer but, you do need to look at the whole picture.

By: concerned

concerned — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 10:44:50 +0000

Edward

What would Western Albemarle and the Crozet area look like if every home in Western Ridge,Highlands, Grayrock,Grayrock North,Waylands Grant,Bargamin Park,Westhall,Cory Farm and Old Trail look like if they were all on 2 acre lots along our rural roads and farms in the Crozet area?

There would be very little rural beauty left in the Crozet area.

By: Edward Strauss

Edward Strauss — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 06:15:28 +0000

What is unique about the homes in Old Trail? Cutting edge design not
found anywhere else? What is unique about tract housing? Will you feel this way once it is built out? But, if you are happy to be in it,be happy. Be
so happy in fact, that you are satisfied to the point that you do not want to change everything and force others to live like you.

By: sJan

sJan — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 00:22:04 +0000

I agree with the comment Concerned wrote, Old Trail does not look bad!!

By: Concerned

Concerned — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 19:37:08 +0000

Edward

Drive thru Old trail again soon and you will see there is no vinyl on these homes.

The homes are quite unique and NO vinyl.

By: Edward Strauss

Edward Strauss — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 06:31:02 +0000

Mike, you do not want me to have an opinion so you call me bitter. What
is your point? I have clearly stated that I oppose the Streetscapes plan
that will destroy Crozet as it now stands. I also can not understand why people move to an area that they desperstely want to change. If you can not understand that, that is your problem. How would you know that I am bitter? Whoever Joe Crozet is, If you are so blessed why do you want a
drastic change like Streetscapes? You all like to make up your silly names
and whatever but, what have I avoided? To people that want some change
Streetscapes is not . It is drastic change. But, once the damage is done and
you do not like it you’ll just go somewhere else…

Elsewhere on this blog there is something about a car being hit and damaged outside the Mudhouse. It is sad when something like this happens.

Do you think that this is unusual?

Do you think that the expansion of the area has also caused and will continue to cause crime to go up? With the Streetscape project taking
away of available parking do you see more of these problems arising?

To the person that suggested a CVS: If I had to choose between mulitiple
overpriced coffee houses and restaurants and a decent drugstore out by
Harris Teeter I would have to go with the drugstore.

All you have to do is look at Charlottesville to see the future you all seem to crave. With a 25% poverty rate it is no shining star…

By: Jim Duncan

Jim Duncan — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 00:26:29 +0000

Thanks for the continuing conversation everyone, and welcome to those of you who are commenting for the first time.

It’s conversations like this that help to refine the plans that will hopefully be implemented.

sJan – I agree with you up to the point of the CVS; in a perfect world, Crozet (and Albemarle County, really) will be able to withstand more chains moving into the area. To my evolving definition of what I want Crozet to be, CVS and the like are anathema to what I would like to see. I realize that that’s a somewhat contradictory viewpoint, but it is what it is.

By: sJan

sJan — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 22:22:15 +0000

You avoid lots of questions Edward Strauss!
Some change is great change and Crozet is need of a dash of change … there are lots of great opinions on here such as Leslie’s, Katrien, Mike and Trolley! It’s important for everyone to voice their opinion! Lets all have a open mind!
But I really do think Crozet can be expanded in a positive way
It wouldnt hurt to have a CVS here and a nicer Library etc.

By: Sam

Sam — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 17:27:34 +0000

Interesting. Some folks will always consider new residents “from away”, as they say in a small town in Maine. Your not considered a “local” unless your grandparents, parents, and yourself were born and raised in that area. The ‘true’ locals are resistant to change, even if your efforts are to improve the area socially and economically. Growth here is inevitable. It provides opportunity. What is wrong with that?
When I see people carrying groceries, and kids riding their skateboards on Jarmans Gap road, maybe its time for a sidewalk…or when the shelves of books at the library are ready to collapse, maybe its time to expand. As our population grows, our community responds to accommodate. Efficient and planned growth is smart.

By: Joe Crozet

Joe Crozet — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 00:43:21 +0000

Hasn’t everyone tired yet of giving this responder the feedback and audience he seeks? Keep your thoughts on the good things instead; there are more than enough of them. We are blessed to live in his area. Love your neighbors, your family and yourself. Don’t spend precious energies feeding unnecessary obsessions–your own OR those of others.

By: Mike

Mike — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 21:56:07 +0000

Edward,

Is your goal to make everyone in Crozet as miserable and bitter as you seem? Someone above already asked why you continue to live in a place that you seem to be so disgusted by, but you ducked the question. So I’ll repeat it and see if you can give a straight answer since you already said above that you “don’t hide” from the truth. Why do you live somewhere that makes you so bitter?

By: Edward Strauss

Edward Strauss — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 06:58:13 +0000

Ok, lets narrow it down. Vinyl is Vinyl, not plastic. Are you claiming that there is no vinyl in Old Trail?? Or, are you claiming there is no plastic in Old Trail? Or, do you not really know and just want to say something which is fine since the name of this blog, Real Crozet, just motivates me to no end… Now, where the repo benches are by the railway underpass in
Crozet, is that real stone against the bank of dirt or ? Image that stuff everywhere. Streetscapes! Thats been done before. Rent the movie
Pleasantville.

By: Concerned

Concerned — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 21:02:07 +0000

Was not talking about signs Edward. I was talking about the siding of the homes.

By: Edward Strauss

Edward Strauss — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 07:33:36 +0000

What you describe above is normal life in Western Albemarle County.
Where you live exists because of previous peoples efforts to preserve
rather than wholesale change. But, the County Govt. seems prepared to
remake an area that has naturally evolved. This change will effect you.
How and, whether it will be good or bad remains to be seen. Careful for
what you wish for. You just might get it and just like your life there are no do overs… To the other person that thinks there is no plastic in Old Trail
, there is. And, just like plastic is not vinyl, there is no Town of Crozet.
There are plenty of plastic signs of pathetic business in Old Trail though.
ACAC signs for example. Stuck in the ground throughout the area. Since
that could be a sign of your future you should help them out by cleaning this mess up. Naw, let someone else do it…

By: Katrien

Katrien — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:05:18 +0000

Tonight, my son and I walked around my “plastic” neighborhood. I am sure that at one time it was a field or something, here behind Crozet Park. Now it has homes developed by someone, called a developer, and sold by people called realtors. And it’s lovely. Kids play outside until it gets too dark. Folks let their toddlers answer the door, because it’s a safe, kind place. Everyone my son greeted, as he sold popcorn for Cub Scouts, smiled and thanked him, whether they bought or not. We saw friends, my eye doctor, women I exercise with, kids he plays soccer with, and people we’ve never met before. It’s a neighborhood. I didn’t build it. I don’t feel a need to change it. I do give my input about plans, when asked. I feel lucky to live in a beautiful, safe, friendly place.
Edward, fight hard for the place you love. Work for what you believe in. And remember that the folks on the “other side” are not necessarily evil or stupid. They might just be happy with something different from you.

By: Concerned

Concerned — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 19:45:26 +0000

Edward

I recently drove thru Old Trail and found the homes to have different looks and features, interesting architecture and NO VINYL.

Why do keep referring to Old Trail as “plastic”? There is NONE in Old Trail.

By: Leslie burns

Leslie burns — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 13:40:29 +0000

It was very nice to meet some fellow Crozet town members at the meeting last night as well as leaders who are putting their time in to help make this area of development be more sustainable. Contrary to what one might hear, all projects included in the Master Plan are making good progress, and are on schedule.
There is a wealth of concerned and interested citizens in this community. That is one of the real attractions of this place. It takes a lot of volunteer time and energy to create something that is worthwhile and well thought out.
It does sound like we all need to put our heads together on fundraising for the new library and continued support of our City Park. (Attendance of the Crozet Arts and Crafts Festival helps the latter.)

By: Edward Strauss

Edward Strauss — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 06:25:19 +0000

And you are a case of not being able to cope with the opinions of others.
People move here, say they love it, blah, blah , blah, then want someone
to change it for them into what they like. Well, you can change your world
just you plan to be the one who pays for it. What developer would attempt
the Streetscape deal in Crozet? All the land is not for sale and there is no
benefit in tearing up the main street. Plus you need county govt. to steal
the right of way. A real fools paradise. You mention the above cities. What we are starting to have in common with them is the same flood of
mindless people coming to a place they no little about, buy more house
than they can afford, in an area that can not provide the employment
needed to pay for the lifestyle that is desired. And then, if we could only
change it, build a few more coffee houses, a dollar tree, whatever, maybe
you will feel better. Hopefully the external income will not run out before then… Oh, I do have a wall around myself. Thanks for the suggestion.

By: trolley

trolley — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:48:32 +0000

Edward – MEOW! You are a classic case of NIMBY. forget about building a wall around old trail as you suggest, but let’s build it around the unicorporated area that we like to a call the town of Crozet. You keep saying that people move here then want it changed, but maybe people moved here with the hopes that change was coming…
I realize that much happens without taxpayer harmony, but once again there is a plan in place (one that keeps evolving too) and I’d rather see something that resembles a plan then developers running amok.
If things were left alone years ago, in true capitalistic fashion, during the hot real estate years, developers would have been completely flattened Crozet to put up “plastic housing”. Then of course the current housing market would have left “ghost towns” of cul-de-sacs. Take a gander at the excess in Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Florida.
I recommend you build a wall around yourself.

By: Edward Strauss

Edward Strauss — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 06:21:26 +0000

Ok, I’ll bite. One at a time though. The Topic of Importance is destroying
an area with tract housing and taxpayer money. With developers and
realtors cheering it on. If you actually enjoy the area why do you want to
make it into something else. To Haters R US: I wish you would post everything you can find on me. I don’t hide. I have my opinion and you
can hide and moan all you like. Too bad you have such a negative name.
Why do you hate the area so much that you want to spend taxpayer money to change it? Can’t you find a safe, urban area to live in?
This is so typical with you people, you do not like the message so you
go after the messenger. ..

By: Haters R Us

Haters R Us — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 20:26:39 +0000

Edward Strauss has been spouting negativity on message boards for years. Even back in 2003 (probably even well before that), he had negative words to say about the area:

http://www.slashtravel.com/showthread.php?t=4593
(See the last post in the chain)

There are plenty of others, but I won’t bore everyone with them.

Edward, if you hate the area so much, why are you still here?