Category: Growth

Posted on

BOS still hasn’t met a subdivision it didn’t like

On Wednesday evening, the Board of Supervisors approved a zoning change for the Patterson subdivision in Crozet, from R-1 to R-6, allowing for the potential of up to 6 homes per acre on the approximately 3.5 acre lot (althougth the developer agreed to build not more than 10 homes). The BOS approved this change despite the Planning Commission’s recommendation against the rezoning (twice) and the objections of the surrounding community. Among the concerns of the planning commission and the surrounding community are that the proposed development is out of character with the existing Grayrock and Grayrock North communities and that the infrastructure is not suitable for the increased traffic along Lanetown Road and Lanetown Way,

Specifically, both the planning commission and the Grayrock HOA expressed concern that the only entrance to the new development is through the existing Grayrock North community, rather than directly from Lanetown Road. The Grayrock North community consists of 26 homes on a rural section of road (18 feet wide, no sidewalks). The concern is that the roughly 30% increase in traffic through the community will increase the danger to the families and over 40 children in the community who have no choice but to use the street for walking, biking, baby strolling, etc.

In fairness to the developer, a number of changes were incorporated into the plan to make it more acceptable. However, the concerns expressed above were not addressed. Instead of focusing on these issues, the BOS chose to engage in an inane discussion of exactly what was intended by the word “edge” in the “Development Edge” area on the Crozet Master Plan and finally voted 5-1 in favor of the rezoning. The only voice of reason on the Board come from Ann Mallek, who actually took the time to visit the community so she could understand the concerns raised.

One has to wonder a) what the purpose of the Planning Commission is, and b) what it would take for a subdivision request to be deemed unsuitable for the Crozet community.

Posted on

You want more fields in Crozet?

Mark you calendars, then.

Community Workshop for the Western Park Master Plan Scheduled for March 25

Crozet area residents are invited to attend a Community Workshop to discuss their vision for the new Western Park on Tuesday, March 25, from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Western Albemarle High School Cafeteria.

The goal of this community workshop, which is the first step in the park master plan process, is to solicit comments, advice and suggestions from Crozet citizens about the features they would like to see in the long-term plan for the new Western Park.  The workshop will also include information about the existing conditions at the site.

As identified in the Crozet Master Plan, the creation of Western Park in Old Trail is an essential part of the network of public parks and greenways envisioned for the Crozet Development Area. The future parks and greenways network will provide recreational opportunities for the community, protect sensitive natural systems, preserve public areas that characterize Crozet, and link neighborhoods to downtown and other areas in Crozet and the region.  35.8 acres have been established for the Western Park greenway and park area, to include a mix of recreational uses such as sports fields, trails, picnicking, and preserved areas. The first step towards the creation of Western Park is the creation of a master plan for the long-term development of the park and greenway area.

Rieley and Associates, a local landscape architectural firm, has been selected to develop the Western Park Master Plan. A committee consisting of County staff, Old Trail staff, representatives of the Crozet Park Board, the Crozet Community Advisory Council, the Crozet Community Association, and an at-large member will meet regularly to provide direction to the consultant throughout the Western Park Master Plan process.

For more information, including maps and graphics of the actual park location, visit the Western Park Master Plan page on the County websiteTo receive email updates about the progress of the project, go to www.albemarle.org  and sign up for Amail, the County’s e-news service.

Thanks for the heads-up, Lee!

(reprinted entirely from an email from Albemarle County)

Technorati Tags:

Posted on

Pulled from the Comments – Why I chose to move to Crozet

My family moved out of Charlottesville to a farm near Crozet 9 years ago. We moved out this way because we could see the way things were changing in the north of Albemarle County, way more traffic, more subdivisions, more shopping centers. I grew up in SC which has been taken over by shopping centers and developments. When one gets run down, the developers move a mile down the road, abandon the first shopping center and build another. There are many abandoned shopping centers around Greenville, SC. It is an ugly, concrete filled, traffic inundated place, that used to be green and lovely until the developers took over. I would hate to see that happen to Crozet. It seems to be already happening in the north of the county.

I love old Crozet. Yes, it is rundown in some ways, but my kids love watching the train at the old library, I love being able to look for books in the library and still being able to keep an eye on my kids. If the library doesn’t have a book that I want, they will get it for me from another library in the county or in the state. I love that the librarians know my name, and that I know the people in the hardware store, and the pizza and grocery store.

I really would rather not see the Harris Teeter go in on 250. Our traffic will increase substantially, and where one store goes, others will follow. I make a trip to Charlottesville or Waynesboro once a week for a major shopping trip, what I run out of during the week, I shop for locally.

I love that I can have chickens, roosters, donkeys, horses and cows and no one complains about the noise, smell, flies, … We live in what is now a rural area. How long that it will remain that way is questionable, but I chose to move here because it was a largely rural area. I think that it is the charm of the area, and keeps it unique. If we add all the things that people want like a movie theatre, Chinese restaurants, more pizza places, more stores, then it will begin to be more like NoVA and less like Crozet. What will make our town unique? We will look like every other place in suburban USA.

Editor’s Note – anyone is welcome to submit a story to be published on RealCrozetVA.com. If you’re interested, please let me know. Also, a new library is coming.

Technorati Tags: ,

Posted on

Crozet’s first denial under the new management

From Charlottesville Tomorrow:

After her report, Tom Loach was the first to pose a question to Ragsdale. Before being appointed to the White Hall seat on the Commission by newly-elected Supervisor Ann Mallek, Loach was an outspoken critic of the implementation of the Crozet Master Plan.

Loach said he could not support the rezoning because in his view it is not consistent with the Crozet Master Plan.

“I look at the Master Plan, I was part of the [committee] that wrote this, I know what the intent of the Master Plan was, and I don’t think this meets the Master Plan as I know it,” Loach said.

Good or bad? What do you think?

Technorati Tags: , ,

Posted on

Crozet is (finally!) getting a gym

This Saturday, and possibly Sunday, keep your eyes out for the Running Man (and please send me your pictures if you see him!)

Captain-Running-Man

An Anytime Fitness franchise will be opening in early 2008. Owned an operated by Melody and Charles Shwartz from Charlottesville, this will be their first gym business.  Melody recently became a certified personal trainer and initially wanted to open a studio, but they felt that a gym would be a better business decision.

Anytime Fitness offers two unique benefits – first, it’s open 24 hours. Second, once you’re a member at one gym, you can visit any gym. This could be  big benefit for those who live in Crozet and work at the NGIC facility up 29 North, as there is another Anytime Fitness facility in Ruckersville.

Anytime Fitness is pleased to announce it has signed a lease for space in the Shoppes of Clover Lawn, off 250 West near Crozet. With construction due to start immediately, the club anticipates opening for business within the next sixty days.  Pre-sale begins soon offering the lowest rates before the club opens it’s doors.

Anytime Fitness will offer a convenient exercise option for the area. At Anytime Fitness, members can workout any time of the day or night. They use a security-access card to enter the club, even when it is not staffed. Once inside, members have full use of state-of-the-art strength training and cardiovascular equipment. Anytime Fitness will also offer tanning, personal training, and membership reciprocity among its clubs.


View Larger Map

Their expectations are to eventually serve about one thousand people. Melody said, “Since we aren’t a big box we are much smaller than the large gyms around here.  That might be a shock for some people but it breaks down nicely.  For instance Gold’s Gym has around 6000 members so their space accommodates that many members.” If they see sufficient growth, they may even consider expansion in the future.

When asked what members can expect, Melody responded, “They can expect a fun environment.  We believe in great customer service and hope to keep our members excited to come to the gym and workout and be in a fun atmosphere”

They will be holding pre-sales in  the space next to Dominos starting the first week in January on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 3 pm, and Melody  will also be there on the 1st from 3-5 to answer questions and hopefully kick off pre-sale.

(Don’t let their racy commercials fool you!)

Technorati Tags: