A few more homes, Eastern Connector, increased Crozet Connect usage

There is always a lot happening in Crozet. Some of it seemingly small, some of it incrementally significant.

A note: make sure you’re registered to vote — Vote.gov.
(there are scam sites out there!)

A couple things of note about Crozet of note

Albemarle supervisors approve 18-unit development in Crozet over local opposition

More housing and trails are good.

The No. 1 objective of Albemarle County’s housing strategy is to build more units, and the county’s new Comprehensive Plan calls for projects to be as dense as possible. 

On September 2, the Board of Supervisors voted 5 to 1 to approve a rezoning of three acres from R-1 to R-6 to allow for 18 units. The project known as Windy Knoll started off in mid-2025 at 22 units, but Seven Development lowered the density to satisfy the Planning Commission. That group recommended denial anyway in May. 

Albemarle Supervisors presented with metrics on county performance in FY2026

22% increase is amazing.

Goal 3 is Infrastructure and Placemaking and targets include ADA compliance on the county’s website as well as specific goals to build at least 6,000 linear feet of new sidewalks and provide at least 6,000 rides a month on MicroCAT. Other metrics include what another transit provider has been able to do.

“In FY26, Jaunt’s Connect services For 29 North and Crozet areas saw ridership increases of 4.8 percent and 22.6 percent respectively, collectively representing over 50,000 riders,” Giacalone said. “Jaunt demand response saw a modest 2.1 percent increase over 28,500 riders, and local funding of $3.5 million was leveraged with $4.9 million of federal and state dollars to provide these services.”

Goal 4 is Quality of Life and reflects the strong emphasis that economic development plays in driving policy in Albemarle County. A key metric over the long term is to have 15 percent of the county’s tax base come from commercial sources but the goal for FY2026 was 11.3 percent. The actual amount is 10.9 percent.

Crozet Library Is Looking for New Cardholders

Libraries are awesome.

“When people sign up for a library card, I always say, ‘okay, how much time do you have?’ she said. “Because a lot of folks don’t realize all of the benefits that come with having one.”

September is Library Card Sign-Up Month, a national campaign from the American Library Association to encourage members of the community to get a free library card and unlock these advantages.

“We’d absolutely love to have 200 new card sign-ups at Crozet for September,” said Catherine Fae, Crozet branch manager. “We have a very dedicated core community of library users, so we’re hoping to reach people who aren’t already familiar with the library.”

One Day, Eastern Avenue to 250 Might Happen.

More about the CCAC and Eastern Avenue at the Crozet Gazette.

A Lumberyard Pause

“The redevelopment of Barnes Lumberyard is “paused” after all proposals came in over budget. The County is now reevaluating the scope of the project to reduce costs and meeting with the property’s new development team.”

I am convinced that the Barnes Lumberyard project is Crozet’s Landmark.

1% Sales Tax for Schools

Schools Construction Sales Tax Referendum – (from Albemarle County email)

Schools Construction Sales Tax Referendum This November, Albemarle County voters will decide whether the County may add 1% local sales tax—one cent per dollar –dedicated solely to building and renovating public schools, as allowed by state law. On July 15, the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors (BOS) voted to place this question on the November 3 ballot, allowing voters to decide. ? ? Ballot Question:  “Shall the County of Albemarle impose a one percent (1%) sales and use tax to fund capital projects for the construction or renovation of schools, with revenues to be used solely for those purposes, and the tax to expire on June 30, 2046?”

?

What Does This Mean? Why is this on the ballot? Current County revenues cannot fully support the total list of school capital projects along with other County capital needs. School projects compete with public safety, parks, and other County infrastructure for limited financial resources.  The proposed tax would create a new, dedicated funding stream specifically for building and renovating school facilities. This tax would provide the County with an additional tool to address aging facilities and long-term reinvestment needs. Initial estimates indicate approximately $20 million in annual revenue from the proposed tax.  What to know about capital planning. Albemarle County Public Schools has significant long?term capital needs, as detailed in the School Division’s Long-Range Planning Advisory Committee (LRPAC) report. The LRPAC, made up of County residents, reviews enrollment trends, building capacities, and master plans, and recommends capital priorities to the School Board. The BOS then approves capital projects as part of each budget development cycle. While the School Board submits its capital requests during this process, the BOS ultimately finalizes the multi?year Capital Improvement Program (CIP). What Can the Money Be Used For? By law, revenue from the additional 1% local sales tax may only be used for construction or renovation of schools, such as:  Building new schools  Expanding existing schools  Renovating or modernizing buildings  Replacing or upgrading major systems such as HVAC, plumbing, electrical to extend the useful life of the building  Safety or accessibility improvements  Other major improvements that extend school building life  Financing costs for bonds issued for school capital projects It cannot be used for routine maintenance or for non-school County services or facilities, such as: Routine maintenance Teacher salaries or instructional costs Technology, buses, or non?school capital projects  Classroom supplies or school operating expenses  If voters approve the additional local 1% tax, initial estimates suggest it could generate roughly $20 million per year dedicated solely to school capital needs. The actual amount may vary based on exemptions for food and hygiene products, which reduce taxable sales.

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