Albemarle County Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting - May 1, 2024

The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors met on May 1, 2024, at 1:00 PM in Lane Auditorium. The meeting included proclamations, public comments, adoption of the FY2025 budget and tax rates, three homestay special exceptions, funding for affordable housing and a homeless services study, a public hearing for a climbing gym, and an easement conveyance. All items were approved with the exception of one homestay which passed 6-1.

Proclamations & Recognitions

• Older Americans Month: Proclaimed May 2024 as Older Americans Month. Marta Martin of the Jefferson Area Board for Aging (JABA) accepted. Comments highlighted the importance of intergenerational connections and aging in place.
• Public Service Recognition Week: Proclaimed May 5-11, 2024 to honor county employees. Elizabeth Breeden spoke, noting over 900 employees. Supervisor McKeel presented statistics on county services (e.g., 587 police calls, 542 fire rescue calls, 371 housing choice vouchers, 887,000 website visits).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Ragged Mountain Natural Area: David Hanna, Dan Beaker (Samuel Miller District), Kirk Bowers (Rivanna District, Sierra Club), and Peggy Gilgas (Jack Jouett District) opposed allowing mountain biking at Ragged Mountain, citing ecological sensitivity and the original intent as a quiet nature area. They referenced the 2016 Center for Urban Habitats report and noted that the city/county agreement in March 2024 removed biking. Kurt Bowers also mentioned 30 miles of biking trails within 5 miles of the area.
• Tax Rates: Kenneth Powell (Scottsville District) expressed concern over personal property tax increases, stating his annual bill would rise from $1,042 to $3,466.
• Housing Affordability: Neil Williamson (Free Enterprise Forum) noted high construction costs (e.g., Premier Circle Phase 2 at $334,166 per unit) and advocated for broad housing production over inclusionary zoning.
• Bike Month: Peter Krebs (Piedmont Environmental Council) promoted National Bike Month events in May.

Consent Calendar

• Approved without objection.

Discussion Items

Budget and Tax Rate Adoption (Items 8-14)

Deputy Budget Director Ryan Davidson presented seven resolutions. The FY2025 all-funds budget totals $642.2 million with a real estate tax rate of 85.4 cents per $100 (unchanged), personal property tax rate increase from $3.42 to $3.96 per $100 (to generate $4.5 million), and transient occupancy tax increase from 8% to 9% (to generate $872,000). The Capital Improvement Plan (FY25-29) totals $335 million. Staff noted adjustments including a reduction from the regional jail and reallocations for a systems analyst and human services alternative response team. The school board's adopted budget added ~$7 million, partly from state funding and fund balance. Supervisor Pruitt expressed disappointment that eviction prevention was not funded. Supervisor Galloway raised concerns about personal property tax increases and potential revenue over-collections. All seven resolutions passed unanimously.

• Real estate tax rates (Attachment A): Passed 7-0.
• Transient occupancy tax amendment (Attachment B): Passed 7-0.
• FY25 operating and capital budget (Attachment C revised): Passed 7-0.
• FY25 salary scales (Attachment D): Passed 7-0.
• Appropriation resolution (Attachment E revised): Passed 7-0.
• Official intent to reimburse borrowing (Attachment F): Passed 7-0.
• FY25-29 CIP (Attachment G): Passed 7-0.

Special Exception Homestay - 6712 Jarmans Gap Road (SE 2023-37)

Request to allow a homestay with a resident agent (a renter) since the owner lives out of state and the property is held by an LLC. Staff noted the resident agent fulfills occupancy requirements for the short-term rental registry. Supervisor Pruitt voted no, arguing the arrangement effectively removes a five-bedroom home from the long-term rental market and the resident agent role is merely a paperwork requirement, not genuine owner-occupancy. Other supervisors noted prior approvals of similar LLC-owned properties with resident agents and stated the application met the four criteria. Motion passed 6-1 (Pruitt no).

Special Exception Homestay - 2020 Wingfield Road (SE 2023-14)

Request to use an existing guest cottage as a two-bedroom homestay. The cottage had been illegally converted into a dwelling with a kitchen; the special exception requires removal of the kitchen (stove) to return the structure to an accessory use. The property owners live on-site. Staff confirmed the fix is simple and the violation is being resolved. Unhosted stays not permitted (parcel under 5 acres). Passed 7-0.

Special Exception Homestay - 1030 Woodlands Road (SE 2024-02)

Request to build a new three-bedroom accessory structure for family use and as a homestay. The parcel is 5.35 acres, and the structure will be built where a shed previously stood. The owners reside on the property. By right, a homestay in the primary dwelling or in a structure existing before August 7, 2019 is permitted; the special exception is needed for a new structure. Supervisor Pruitt expressed concerns about the economic impact of enabling such uses on land values and housing stock. Passed 7-0.

Affordable Housing Fund Recommendations

Two requests funded from the housing fund reserve:

1. Piedmont Housing Alliance - Premier Circle Phase 3: $2,025,000 for 40-60 units of affordable rental housing (30-60% AMI). Total project cost ~$20M (10% county contribution). Rent will remain affordable for 30 years per LIHTC regulations. Leverage ratio 1:10. Funding conditional on tax credit award.
2. City of Charlottesville - Homeless Services Assessment: $100,000 (matched by city) for a joint study to evaluate the continuum of care and determine appropriate shelter bed needs. Passed 7-0.

Closed Meeting (Item 14)

Board convened in closed session under VFOIA exemptions to discuss appointments, personnel, real property acquisition, and legal matters. Certified recorded vote 7-0.

Boards and Commissions Appointments

Approved appointments: Andrew Bowers (Crozet CAC), Leonard Mulou, David Norford, David Mitchell (Board of Equalization), Carter Montague (Historic Preservation), Elizabeth Ingle (Piedmont Family YMCA), and Renee King (Village of Rivanna CAC). Passed 7-0.

Public Hearing - Charlottesville Climbing Gym Special Use Permit (SP 2023-16)

Request to amend an existing permit to expand indoor athletic use from 2,000 to 6,125 sq ft in a building at 2200 Old Ivy Road. The building will be raised from 2 to 3 stories (32 ft 4 in). No site changes; 49 existing parking spaces are sufficient. ARB and Fire Rescue had no objections. The applicant (Eric Woolley and Mike Kinneck) emphasized community benefits and safety. Supervisor McKeel noted prior parking issues along Old Ivy Road; VDOT is studying corridor improvements. Passed 7-0 with condition that athletic use not exceed 6,125 sq ft.

Public Hearing - ACSA Sanitary Sewer Easement

Conveyance of a 20 ft wide, 4,649 sq ft easement on county-owned parcel 61A-03-0B1 (at Rio Road East and John Warner Parkway) to allow sewer connection for the Rio Point development. Fair market value compensation of $5,037.49. Staff confirmed the alignment minimizes environmental impact vs. crossing Meadow Creek. Passed 7-0.

Key Outcomes

• Budget Adopted: FY2025 budget of $642.2 million with property tax rate increases; real estate rate unchanged at 85.4 cents per $100. All seven budget resolutions passed 7-0.
• Homestay Decisions: Jarmans Gap (SE 2023-37) approved 6-1 (Pruitt no); Wingfield (SE 2023-14) and Woodlands (SE 2024-02) approved 7-0.
• Housing Fund: $2.125 million allocated (PHA $2.025M + city study $100K) from housing fund reserve. Passed 7-0.
• Climbing Gym SP: Approved 7-0.
• Sewer Easement: Approved 7-0.
• Next Meeting: May 15, 2024 at 1:00 PM in Lane Auditorium.