Crozet's community blog
That’s all I want to know … My questions for the Harris Teeter media folks:
– Will it be open 24 hours?- How is the progress going with regards to the LEED certification? – Will there be a coffee shop in the Harris Teeter? – When will it be opening?
And their response:
The store is scheduled to in late spring 2009. Please check back with us closer to the opening date (perhaps in March) and we would be happy to share with you more details about the store.
I’m posting this for at least two reasons –
1) Help the dog find its owner
2) Highlight how Crozet really is and can be a small, helping community.
I found a black and white (cocker?) spaniel on Three Notched Road today across from Highland Drive. (forget the subdivision name) I drove around and knocked on doors for 2 hours looking for the owners….no luck. Is there anyway you could help find the owners? I would appreciate it. My cell number is 804.868.0464; email is redkurlzz at gmail DOT com.
Albemarle and Charlottesville are not alone in struggling with tax cuts/service cuts – all levels of government – and the citizens – are struggling. From the New York Times regarding states’ budgets –
The astonishing decline in revenues is without modern precedent here, but California is hardly alone. A majority of states — many with budgets already full of deep cuts and dependent on raiding rainy-day funds or tax increases — are scrambling to find ways to get through the rest of the year without hacking apart vital services or raising taxes.
…
Others are demanding hiring freezes and across-the-board cuts. A few states are finding their unemployment insurance funds running dry, just as the ranks of out-of-work residents spike.
The plunging revenues — the result of an unusual assemblage of personal, sales, capital gains and corporate taxes falling significantly — have poked holes in budgets that are just weeks and months old and that came about only after difficult legislative sessions.
Here’s what I do – I ignore the advocacy and focus on the information. Raising taxes should not be the default response. We’re all facing “unprecedented declines” and we need to work together to find the solution. Blaming government without getting involved is counterproductive.
From the Albemarle Truth in Taxation Alliance –
Crozet Town Hall Meeting “2008 Firehouse Tour” Continues
ATTA is hosting a series of local Town Hall meetings throughout the county this fall.
To find out more about ATTA and what to expect during the 2009 county budget process, please attend our Crozet ATTA Town Hall Meeting:
Crozet Town Hall Meeting
Crozet Firehouse
5652 Three Notched RD, Crozet
Thursday, November 20, 2008
7:00 p.m.
Free and open to the publicIf you read the Nov. 13 Daily Progress article “County’s decision: Cuts or tax hike” you saw the following statement regarding Supervisor David Slutzky’s approach toward our current financial situation:
David L. Slutzky, a Democrat, said the county should start with a tax rate closer to 90 cents – which would allow the county to avoid service cuts, and then systematically decide which of those services should be cut or scaled back.
Slutzky’s attitude is profound for several reasons:
A 90-cent real estate tax rate represents a 26.8% increase over our current rate. During the current economic climate — when so many of us struggle to provide for basic needs — suggesting such a draconian tax increase is absurd.
The premise is flawed. Raising taxes or cutting services are not the only options. More effective and efficient use of available revenues should be the first option. This is why the county is currently performing a Resource Utilization Study–to identify how we can do more with less!
Slutzky’s suggestion to raise taxes now and then fix government spending later is truly laughable.
The Program Service Review (Form 4) initiated by Albemarle County well over a years ago has gone nowhere (its goal was to identify 10% cost savings in every department).It took the Albemarle BoS seven months to begin its current Resource Utilization Study after being challenged to do so by ATTA.
There remains a profound lack of sense of urgency by county gov. to make substantial improvements to how our tax money is spent.Slutzky is basically ask us to trust him: raise tax now and he’ll lead the charge later to cut them in the future.
We all know what will happen: if we raise taxes now, there won’t be a later. There will only be new rationale to keep the tax rate at 90 cents — or raise it even higher.
In response to John-N’s comment –
What about the imminent approval of a mega gas/diesel fuel station in the Brownsville-Yancey Mills area and its potential impacts on the western Albemarle community on Free State Lane? Some reports say it would be the largest of its type in Albemarle County! Marketing to I-64, perhaps open 24/7. Dramatically increased frequency of turn-arounds at that point on Rt.250 by vehicles coming from and returning to the interstate. It promises to be a safety issue in that neighborhood and also for the nearby school traffic. IMMINENT approval possible due to grandfathered zoning. What about the right — apparently NOT grandfathered in Albemarle County — to quality-of-life on Free State Lane? What about school traffic safety? Lots of questions. VERY LITTLE time — literally days — to seek public input or compromises. —- This should be no less a concern than the POLITICAL (i.e. Crozet Master Plan) issues of the Yancey proposal.
Basically, this (bolding mine) –
Request for preliminary site plan approval to construct a 7,000 square foot, two (2) story commercial building with eight (8) gas pumps and associated parking 4.06 acres. The property is zoned HC (Highway Commercial) and is described as Tax Map 55B, Parcel 1. The site is located on the south side of Rockfish Gap Turnpike (SR250), approximately 0.78 miles west of its intersection with Miller School Road/Crozet Avenue (SR240). This site is located in the White Hall Magisterial District and is recommended for Rural Area uses in Rural Area 3 by the Comprehensive Plan.
Is possible due to by-right, existing zoning. This is a story in progress; I had heard about this project but hadn’t had the time to research/write about it. I’m going to try to update this as the day progresses, but I understand that there is a meeting on Monday at Albemarle County about this. If anyone out there wants to make some phone calls/emails and update via the comments, please do so.
By the way, if you haven’t used Albemarle County’s online GIS program, you’re missing out on one of the best things local government has ever done.
Update 14 November: I heard back from Albemarle County today – for readability’s sake I’m not quoting out the following email I received from Bill Fritz, Chief of Current Development at Albemarle County. I am greatly appreciate for their remarkable response. Bolding, however, is mine.
The next deadline for the Re-Store’n Station site plan is Monday November 17. If the applicant wants to stay on the published review schedule Monday is the deadline for the applicant to submit a revised site plan addressing the comments of the Site Review Committee. If a revised plan is not submitted, review of the project will be suspended until such time as revisions are submitted. Monday is also the deadline for the site plan to be appealed to the Planning Commission for review. An appeal may be filed only by: the owner, an abutting property owner, member of the Planning Commission, member of the Board of Supervisors, the zoning administrator, the county executive, or the agent. An appeal must be in writing and state the reasons for review.
If revisions are made and the application is appealed this item will be scheduled for Planning Commission review on Tuesday December 9. If the item is not appealed staff will administratively take action to either approve or deny the plan by Thursday December 11. This project is a ministerial project meaning that if the plan does not meet the requirements of the ordinance it will be denied and if the plan does meet the requirements of the ordinance it will be approved. .
The site plan review process is a two step process. What is currently under review is the preliminary site plan. If the preliminary plan is approved it will be subject to conditions that must be met prior to the final site plan being approved. No development may occur until the final site plan is approved. Typical conditions include such things as: Architectural Review Board approval, approval of an erosion and sediment control plan, approval of entrance details by VDOT, approval of water plans, approval by Health Department, approval of landscape and lighting plan. Other conditions are possible and this list is only intended to give an example of the types of conditions commonly applied to preliminary approvals.
I hope that this information is helpful. If you have any other questions please feel free to contact either myself or Summer Frederick who is the planner coordinating the review of this application.
William D. Fritz, AICP
Chief of Current Development
434-296-5832 ext. 3242
Courtesy of Charlottesville Tomorrow – I recommend reading the entire post on what could have been (and may yet still) be a new business park in Crozet.
My primary question –
– What types of businesses and industries would they like to bring in? If they’re talking about seeking out high-value, low impact jobs – bio-tech, manufacturing, etc. wouldn’t that represent a possible net gain for Crozet?
On November 11, 2008, the Albemarle County Planning Commission held a work session on the proposed Yancey Mills Business Park in Crozet. The Commission came close to recommending that the development be reviewed as part of the upcoming Crozet Master Plan update, however, the discussion concluded with a 6-1 vote to end all further consideration of the matter. Linda Porterfield (Scottsville) was the only Commissioner who supported further study.
In an interview with Charlottesville Tomorrow the day after the decision, Will Yancey described what he had hoped to accomplish at the meeting.
…
Charlottesville Tomorrow asked Will Yancey where he thought the family would go next with their business park proposal.
“The Yancey family is going to spend the next couple of weeks speaking with our advisors and the community. We will reach out to the Crozet community and try to reassure them that have been in the area for a long time, well over a hundred years, and we intend on keeping our word and to do what we say. The notion that we want to put in a shopping mall with a Stuckeys and a Cracker Barrel there is not what we have in mind at all. We will make a determination if we should go forward and bring this to the Board of Supervisors.â€
Mark Your Calendar!
Crozet Community Association Meeting
Thursday, November 13th
7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Crozet Firehouse
Here is what’s on tap:
– Plans for New Library
– Getting Ready for the 2009 Master Plan Revision
– Updates from Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors
– Final Review of CCA Bylaws — Crozet History Moment
– Good Neighbor Award to Heather and Michael Penny of Fabulous Foods
and more ……
See You There!
There are few better ways to get involved in the Crozet Community and learn about what’s happening – the first three items on the agenda will likely directly impact the Crozet real estate market as well …
As always, the offer stands for anyone who is interested in writing a story for RealCrozetVA summarizing the meeting. Please let me know!
Continue reading “Crozet Community Association Meeting – 13 November”
And we’re not alone in having projects pushed back due to the economy (bolding mine)-
The County will delay several capital projects. New fire stations in Pantops and Ivy will be delayed until FY2013. A new library for Crozet was expected to open in 2011, but that will now be pushed back to 2013. A new library to replace the Northside library will be pushed back out of the five year plan. Recycling centers anticipated to open in FY2010 will be delayed until FY2013. Western Park in the Crozet growth area, scheduled to open in 2012, will also be moved out of the first five years of the capital plan.
Read the entire story at Charlottesville Tomorrow.
“Can you give a plug for the Companion Soup on Sunday, at Tabor Presbyterian Church? It is held the first Sunday of every month, for the community, not just churchfolk. So, this Sunday, from 5-7 p.m. We want to serve the community, those in need, as well as those of means, who can likewise gather for community-building.”
Plug given. If you have a community announcement you’d like to see here, please let me know.
Update – I responded to the email too late. Thanks, Callen!
Just want to point out that the companion soup for November was actually held on Sunday, November 1. The next one will be Sunday, December 7.
I highly recommend attending. The food is fantastic and the fellowship wonderful.
You know those signs that say “Notice Number 22” that pop up from time time time around Albemarle County? They really are important. 🙂
Did you see the one on 240 between Downtown Crozet and the 240/240 intersection by chance? From the Albemarle County website – (bolding mine)
PROJECT: ZMA200800005 Old Trail Village Block 2 PROPOSAL: Amend Code of Development to include rest home\assisted living use for approved ZMA200400024 (Old Trail NMD) which allows residential (3 – 34 units/acre) mixed with commercial, service and industrial uses. Approved number of units for Old Trail is between 1600 and 2200. No change to density is proposed. PROFFERS: Yes (Amendment to refer to revised Table 4 of the amended Code of Development) EXISTING COMPREHENSIVE PLAN LAND USE/DENSITY: CT5 – mixed residential and commercial uses. Residential density – 12 dwelling units per acre; 18 dwelling units per acre in a mixed use setting in the Community of Crozet. ENTRANCE CORRIDOR: Yes LOCATION: North side of Route 250 West, approximately 2,000+ feet east of the intersection of Miller School Rd. and Route 250. TAX MAP/PARCEL: 55E1-A1 (portion) MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT: White Hall
The Planning Commission hearing is 11 November; Board hearing is 12 November.
I’m working on finding out more …
“Peachtree Baseball is currently seeking umpires for the 2009 season.
Candidates must be 16 years of age, have knowledge of baseball and a willingness to be trained. Umpiring is one of the most rewarding and exciting experiences to give back to the youth in the community. If you are interested, please contact John Masselli.
If you think that you do not qualify, think again!!!
If you have coached or have the desire to learn
WE NEED YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
