OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Albemarle County Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting – March 20, 2024

Board of Supervisors — Wednesday, March 20, 2024
BodyAlbemarle County, Virginia
SessionBoard of Supervisors
DateWednesday, March 20, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 6:26:41

Transcript — Verbatim
0:02

Good afternoon.

0:04

I'm pleased to call to order this regular meeting of the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors on the 20th of March, 1 p.m.

0:10

in Lane Auditorium.

0:10

I'd like to note that at the day we have Supervisor Ann Malik of the White Hall District, Supervisor Nut Galloway of the Rio District, Supervisor Diantha McKeel of the Jack Dewitt District, Supervisor Mike Pruitt of the Scottsville District, myself, Jim Andrews, representing the Samuel Miller district.

0:25

The quorum is present.

0:26

We regret the absence of Supervisor Lupisto Kirtley who can be here today.

0:31

Also, we're joined at the day by our county executive, Mr.

0:34

Jeff Richardson, our county attorney, Mr.

0:36

Steve Rosenberg, our clerk, Claudette Borgerson, and our senior deputy clerk, Mr.

0:41

Travis Morris.

0:42

Also, please let me welcome Almoral County police officers assisting today, Lieutenant Angela Jamerson and Master Police Officer Paul Collin.

0:51

We thank you for your service today and every day and the work you do to keep us and our community safe.

0:59

If all present could now stand as you were able to join us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

1:22

Thank you.

1:23

And if you would not join us in a moment of silence.

2:04

So mute.

2:05

Second.

2:05

We have a motion from Supervisor McKeel, second from Supervisor Malik without objection if the clerk will call the rule.

2:11

Ms.

2:11

Malik, yes.

2:12

Ms.

2:12

McKeel?

2:13

Yes.

2:13

Mr.

2:13

Pruitt?

2:14

I.

2:15

Mr.

2:15

Andrews.

2:16

Yes.

2:16

Mr.

2:16

Galloway.

2:17

Yes.

2:18

Thank you.

2:19

Board.

2:20

We'll now move to brief announcements by board members.

2:24

Our first is Supervisor McKeel.

2:26

Thank you.

2:26

I have several.

2:29

Sadly, I want to recognize the passing of Lorraine Williams, who was certainly a leader and a dedicated community member in this in our community.

2:43

She was a retired Charlottesville teacher and a civil rights pioneer.

2:48

She and her husband, Eugene, helped desegregate the city schools during the period of time that's referred to as massive resistance.

2:58

Certainly she will be missed, and she is dearly beloved by many members of our community.

3:05

And I just wanted to recognize her passing and say that she was a rock star.

3:11

And she'll be missed.

3:12

Thank you.

3:13

And the other, moving on to a few items that are on a happier note.

3:31

That was pretty cool.

3:32

And the folks at Greer were just really thrilled that she received that award.

3:37

And uh so congratulations to Fran.

3:40

And the only other item that I want to uh mention is that Ann and I last night attended a wonderful dinner.

3:51

Antoine Brenson is the um culinary training instructor um for Go Cook, which is um uh uh Charlottesville and Albemarle um uh organization that teaches um people in our community to be cooks in restaurants.

4:14

They have a hundred and fifty, he has a hundred and fifty restaurants he works with and supplies cooks and chefs to those restaurants in this community.

4:25

And last night he had a graduation, and Ann and I went and we had a lovely dinner served to us.

4:32

And um I really want to just point out that they are Antoine with his program is helping many, a variety of people in the community learn a skill and a trade.

4:46

Some of them are changing careers.

4:50

There was a nurse last night who has taken a brief leave of absence from his nursing job and is training to be uh uh culinary chef.

5:00

And there were two gentlemen from the Almar Charlesville Regional Jail that are currently out on home incarceration, and they are going through the program to learn how to be to work in restaurants, which is really great.

5:16

So it was a wonderful evening, and we were able to celebrate with the graduates and have a lovely dinner.

5:22

And if you're ever interested, just look up Go Cook, which is a growth opportunity for cook program.

5:30

And they are headquarters quartered over sort of in one of the little shopping malls over by Barracks Road Shopping Center.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Land Use Planning█████████████████17%
Procedural█████████████13%
Engineering And Infrastructure███████████11%
Comprehensive Plan Review█████████9%
Pending Litigation███████7%
Blighted Property Abatement█████5%
Community Engagement████4%
Public Safety████4%
Public Hearing████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Albemarle County Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting – March 20, 2024

The Board of Supervisors met on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, starting at 1:00 PM in Lane Auditorium. The meeting included proclamations, public comments, adoption of a consent agenda, action items on transportation partnerships and property licenses, a work session on the AC44 comprehensive plan update (rural and development areas), a closed meeting, a county executive report on multiple brush fires prompting a local emergency declaration, additional public comments, a central sewer system request for Old Ivy Residences, and three spot blight public hearings for properties on Rolling Road. The board also received updates on strategic initiatives, microtransit ridership, and employee recognition.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations (24-191).
  • Approved Rivanna Solid Waste Authority Ivy Materials Utilization Center FY25 fees (24-196).
  • Approved Rivanna Futures land use applications (24-184).
  • Approved proposed abandonment, additions, and corrections of portions of Rio Mills Road (Route 643) (24-192).
  • Accepted VDOT Monthly Report for March 2024 for information (24-204).
  • All consent items passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • First session (item 7): Eleven speakers addressed the board on matters related to the AC44 comprehensive plan update. Speakers included representatives from the Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC), Albemarle County Farm Bureau, Free Enterprise Forum, Community Climate Collaborative (C3), and individual residents. Key positions:
    • Speakers urged protection of rural areas, support for agriculture and forestry, and robust growth management, citing decades of community surveys prioritizing environment and smart growth.
    • Concerns were raised about proposed expansion of development areas, potential loss of land preservation programs, and the need for a standalone rural areas chapter.
    • Some speakers advocated for increased density in development areas, more affordable housing, and climate-resilient infrastructure.
    • Comments also addressed solar siting policies, crossroad communities, and the importance of preserving scenic viewsheds and working farms.
  • Second session (item 15): Three speakers addressed matters including comprehensive plan critiques, a congratulatory note on a sewer plan redesign, and questions about sewer pipe boring under an on-ramp at Old Ivy Residences.

Discussion Items

  • Public-Private Transportation Act (PPTA) Guidelines (24-183): Lance Stewart presented guidelines to enable public-private partnerships for transportation projects. The board discussed solicited and unsolicited proposals, transparency, and timelines. An amendment added four words to page 12 regarding risk apportionment. The resolution was adopted unanimously.
  • Brookhill License Agreements (24-188): Frank Pohl presented three license agreements for improvements on county property (grading/road, stormwater, landscaping) to facilitate the Archer Avenue connector. The board approved the resolution authorizing the county executive to sign the licenses.
  • AC44 Work Session: Rural Area Land Use and Transportation: The board discussed draft goals and objectives. Key questions included allowing small-scale community-serving uses by special use permit, the crossroad communities concept, transportation prioritization, and resilience hubs. The board provided direction: support for carefully defined small-scale uses, cautious approach to crossroad communities (focus on community-driven planning and existing structures), and emphasis on realistic transportation funding (rural rustic roads, safety improvements, not full transit). Multiple supervisors stressed the need to update agricultural data and clarify measurable objectives.
  • AC44 Work Session: Development Areas Land Use and Transportation: The board discussed gross vs. net density calculations, building height (up to eight stories in destination centers), parking reforms, and infrastructure alignment. Board members requested more information on gross vs. net density impacts; leaned toward net density but wanted further analysis. Generally supported recommended height increases and parking incentives, but emphasized infrastructure catch-up and tree cover preservation challenges.
  • Old Ivy Residences – Central Sewerage System (24-190): Frank Pohl presented a gravity sewer system for 184 connections. The board approved the resolution with conditions (construction to public standards, maintenance by HOA). Concerns about private maintenance were noted but deemed acceptable given gravity system reliability.

Key Outcomes

  • Adoption of PPTA Guidelines: Approved unanimously with amendment.
  • Approval of Brookhill License Agreements: Approved unanimously.
  • Direction on AC44 Rural Area: Board directed staff to refine goals based on discussion; specific support for limited small-scale uses by SUP, continued exploration of crossroad communities via small-area plans, and focused transportation funding on safety and rural rustic roads.
  • Direction on AC44 Development Areas: Board requested additional analysis on gross vs. net density; expressed support for building height up to eight stories in destination centers and incentivizing structured parking/green infrastructure; asked for better alignment of infrastructure and development.
  • Declaration of Local Emergency: Unanimously adopted a resolution declaring a local emergency due to multiple brush fires (approximately 10 active fires, three outbuildings involved) with red flag conditions. The declaration enables access to state resources. An evacuation alert was issued for Taylor’s Gap Road area.
  • Old Ivy Residences Central Sewer: Approved with a maximum of 184 connections.
  • Spot Blight Declarations: Three public hearings held; ordinances adopted deeming properties at 2941, 3239, and 3247 Rolling Road as blighted. Board selected funding Option 3 to abate all three concurrently (estimated total $26,000) using contingency funds, with reimbursement via tax liens.
  • Upcoming Meeting: Adjourned to March 25, 2024, at 3:00 PM in Room 241.

Meeting Transcript

Good afternoon. I'm pleased to call to order this regular meeting of the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors on the 20th of March, 1 p.m. in Lane Auditorium. I'd like to note that at the day we have Supervisor Ann Malik of the White Hall District, Supervisor Nut Galloway of the Rio District, Supervisor Diantha McKeel of the Jack Dewitt District, Supervisor Mike Pruitt of the Scottsville District, myself, Jim Andrews, representing the Samuel Miller district. The quorum is present. We regret the absence of Supervisor Lupisto Kirtley who can be here today. Also, we're joined at the day by our county executive, Mr. Jeff Richardson, our county attorney, Mr. Steve Rosenberg, our clerk, Claudette Borgerson, and our senior deputy clerk, Mr. Travis Morris. Also, please let me welcome Almoral County police officers assisting today, Lieutenant Angela Jamerson and Master Police Officer Paul Collin. We thank you for your service today and every day and the work you do to keep us and our community safe. If all present could now stand as you were able to join us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Thank you. And if you would not join us in a moment of silence. So mute. Second. We have a motion from Supervisor McKeel, second from Supervisor Malik without objection if the clerk will call the rule. Ms. Malik, yes. Ms. McKeel? Yes. Mr. Pruitt? I. Mr. Andrews. Yes. Mr. Galloway. Yes. Thank you. Board. We'll now move to brief announcements by board members. Our first is Supervisor McKeel. Thank you. I have several. Sadly, I want to recognize the passing of Lorraine Williams, who was certainly a leader and a dedicated community member in this in our community. She was a retired Charlottesville teacher and a civil rights pioneer. She and her husband, Eugene, helped desegregate the city schools during the period of time that's referred to as massive resistance. Certainly she will be missed, and she is dearly beloved by many members of our community. And I just wanted to recognize her passing and say that she was a rock star. And she'll be missed. Thank you. And the other, moving on to a few items that are on a happier note. That was pretty cool. And the folks at Greer were just really thrilled that she received that award. And uh so congratulations to Fran. And the only other item that I want to uh mention is that Ann and I last night attended a wonderful dinner.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com