Finally, Downtown Crozet is closer to being redeveloped! After 50+ community meetings, and remarkable persistence by the developer, things seem to be moving forward. A hotel in downtown Crozet is much-needed.
First
Read Allison Wrabel’s story in the Daily Progress, not just the snippets I’ve pulled. (bolding mine)
The Albemarle County Planning Commission voted 6-0 to recommend approval of a rezoning of about 6.24 acres of the site from heavy industry and commercial to Downtown Crozet District to allow for mixed use development.
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The current proposed project would include commercial and retail space, a hotel and approximately 52 residential units in its first phase.
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Possible issues staff cited were increased traffic and increased demand for parking. A potential impact on schools, particularly Crozet Elementary, also was a concern, but that was not as high of a concern yet, as only about six elementary school students are anticipated to live in the residential part of the project.
Remember how some people thought that Old Trail was going to be a retirement community? Me too. 🙂
Second
Note that the County have been “discussing parking” in Downtown Crozet forever. (bolding mine)
In addition to action on the Old Trail rezoning, The Planning Commission specifically requested that the Board address the following issues related to Crozet as a whole:
– The parking restrictions in the existing downtown Crozet area should be reviewed and potentially studied for revision to allow the Crozet area to better support its businesses that exist and could come.
– Put all of the County resources possible towards getting Jarman’s Gap Road higher on the VDOT list of priorities.
– Have staff work with the schools and applicant to talk about interconnectivity on the trails and traffic.
– The Board should direct staff to work at making sure the downtown Crozet improvements are actually done.
From the 2005 Summary of the Old Trail rezoning
