Albemarle County Board of Supervisors Meeting: Budget, Incentives, and Rezonings (February 21, 2024)
Albemarle County Board of Supervisors Meeting: Budget, Incentives, and Rezonings (February 21, 2024)
The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors met on February 21, 2024, at 1:00 PM in Lane Auditorium to consider a full agenda including the County Executive's FY2024-25 recommended budget, action on affordable rental housing developer incentives, a discussion on the Fontaine Interchange improvements, a closed meeting on litigation, and public hearings on a Home Depot outdoor storage special use permit, the Montclair (White Gate Village) rezoning, and a related ACSA jurisdictional area amendment. The meeting ran into the evening.
Consent Calendar
- Approved minutes from May 4, 2022 (item 24-171).
- Approved a Resolution of Intent for a potential zoning text amendment to permit residential use in commercial zoning districts (item 24-153).
- Received for information: FY24 Second Quarter Financial Report, AC44 Phase 2 Draft Goals and Objectives, and Facilities and Environmental Services Quarterly Report.
Public Comments & Testimony
- First Public Comment Session (1:00 PM): Marta Keene (CEO of JAJA, Rio District) highlighted the success of JAJA's aging services, including Part D counseling that saved residents $1.9 million. Lori Schweller (attorney, Williams Mullen) expressed concerns about the proposed affordable housing incentive program, requesting clarity on calculation methodology, timing, and the cash-in-lieu option, and urged more developer feedback before action.
- Second Public Comment Session (6:00 PM): Matthew Helton (White Hall District) criticized the county for only building a playground at Western Park in 15 years and urged completion of the full master plan.
- Public Hearing on Montclair (ZMA202000012): Over a dozen residents spoke in opposition, citing non-compliance with the Comprehensive Plan, severe infrastructure deficits in Crozet (estimated $100 million needed), dangerous intersections (e.g., 240/250/680 ranked 17th worst in VDOT's Culpeper District), overcrowded schools, environmental concerns about a buried stream, and the developer's past conduct. A petition with over 950 signatures was submitted. The applicant (Vito Chedda) and his team defended the project, noting its consistency with the Crozet Master Plan, provision of affordable housing, and that the problematic roundabout at 240/250/680 is already funded and scheduled for construction in 2025.
Discussion Items
- County Executive's FY2024-2025 Recommended Budget: County Executive Jeff Richardson presented a balanced budget of $629 million (all funds) with a general fund of $432.2 million, maintaining current tax rates. Key highlights: 44% of general fund to schools ($10.1M increase), $9.3M for workforce and customer service, $2.2M for partner agencies, $2.1M for transit (CAT and MicroCAT), $1M for safety and well-being (including new courts and firefighter staffing). Capital investments include $206.8M for schools (including High School Center Two and Elementary One) and $128.9M for local government (including Biscuit Run Park opening in FY25, broadband completion, and Ravenna Station expansion). The budget builds on the second year of the five-year strategic plan and emphasizes organizational adaptability, cross-departmental work, and data-driven analytics.
- Housing Albemarle Developer Incentives (Action Item): Assistant Director of Housing Stacy Pethia and CFO Jacob Sumner presented a program to incentivize affordable rental housing. The program requires projects to provide at least 20% of units at 60% AMI for 30 years. The incentive is set at 15% of the development's real estate tax bill (amended from the originally proposed 10%) for the duration of the affordability period, with the incentive calculated on the full tax bill (not the increment). The program aims to fill the gap created by moving from the current standard of 15% at 80% AMI. Staff will track and iterate on the program. The board discussion included concerns about project timing, the need for clarity on
Meeting Transcript
I like it. I don't want a little word to Aggie on that. Good afternoon. Please to call to order this regular meeting of the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors on this 21st of February at 1 p.m. in Lane Auditorium. I'd like to note at the dias we have Supervisor Ann Malik of the White Hall District, Supervisor Ned Galloway of the Rio District, Supervisor Diantha McKeel of the Jack Jewett District, Supervisor B. Lapisto Kirtley of the Ravana District, Supervisor Mike Pruitt of the Scottsville District, myself, Jim Andrews, representing the Samuel Miller District Aquorum is present. We're also joined here by our county executive, Mr. Jeff Richardson, and our county attorney, Mr. Steve Rosenberg, and our clerk, Miss Claudette Borgerson, and our senior deputy clerk, Mr. Travis Morris. Also at this time, let me please welcome Albemarle County Police Officers present. Master Police Officer Dana Reeves and Officer Raven Lilly. We thank you for your service. Appreciate you being here today and for the work in your colleagues do every day for our safety and security. If all present could now stand as you are able to join us in the Pledge of Allegiance. One nation under God and municipal liberty and justice for all. Thank you. And now ask that you join us in a moment of silence. Thank you, board. Thank you, all present. Um I believe our next uh item is the uh motion to adopt the final agenda. Do we have any amendments to the final agenda? Not is there a motion to accept the to approve the final agenda. So moved. Second. Uh uh motion by Supervisor McKeel, second by Supervisor Lapisto Kirtley. Without objection, if the clerk will call the roll. Mr. Galloway? Yes. Ms. Lapista Gurtly. Aye. Ms. Malik, yes. Ms. McKeel? Yes. Mr. Pruitt? Aye. Mr. Andrews. Yes. Thank you. Uh board at this time it's uh for brief announcements by board members. Uh our order today starts with Supervisor McKeel. Yes, sir. Thank you.
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