OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Albemarle County Board of Supervisors Meeting - August 7, 2024

Board of Supervisors — Wednesday, August 7, 2024
BodyAlbemarle County, Virginia
SessionBoard of Supervisors
DateWednesday, August 7, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 5:25:12

Transcript — Verbatim
7:01

I'm getting the thumbs up from our clerk.

7:04

And I believe I've already announced the remote particip uh participation uh supervisor andrews.

13:00

So he can hear us we just can't hear him.

21:03

Um to adjust from air, supervisor.

27:00

Free screenings and information, uh health screenings, uh health and wellness resources, immunizations, community resources, fitness information, financial health resources.

27:12

Uh UVA and Senterra will be present uh for all this.

27:17

And it's Saturday, September twenty-eighth, and maybe we can put this also uh on one of our newsletters, but Saturday, September twenty-eighth from ten AM to two PM at the St.

27:28

John family life and fitness center.

27:31

Thank you.

27:32

All right.

27:35

Thank you very much.

27:37

Uh I really appreciate the comments of earlier speakers calling out uh the all the work that our volunteers do all across our community, whether it's trails or uh serving their neighbors through storms and and uh helping veterans transition back to civilian life, all sorts of stressors that are made better by our fellow citizens along the way.

28:04

Um I will this gives me a great reminder to thank the Crozet Trails crew who has for fifteen years been building trails in the growth area in Croze and who are now raising donation funds for a significant bridge over Lick and Hole Creek, which will connect neighborhoods south of the creek to the downtown without having to go on the street, which will be wonderful.

28:26

I was fortunate to attend the national night out and with the police department last night.

28:32

It was a wonderful success.

28:33

It was very hot.

28:35

But there were loads of families and small children or children of all ages, I say, lots of teenagers too.

28:41

Um with food and uh all sorts of different branches of local government to meet with.

30:00

IMAW County has officially received primary natural disaster designation status from the USDA.

30:04

And I will put all the details of this for the clerk so she can have it available.

30:10

But people who have livestock and pasture forage losses can contact the Farm Service Agency in Louisa.

30:19

And the people who have crop losses can contact the Verona office of FSA to find help for helping to offset those costs for people farmers who have to buy hay who saw their 12 inches of beautiful forage in May disappear to bear dirt.

30:37

Doesn't matter how many acres you have, it's all gone.

30:40

Even if no one's eating it, it's all gone because of the wind and the heat that has just shriveled everything up.

30:46

So I'm hoping that we have several days of very gentle rain here right now, but that is not going to bring it back, unfortunately, for the crop losses for corn and soybeans, which are already being filled.

30:56

So I'll get all those details into the clerk's record so that people can access it that way.

31:03

Thank you.

31:05

And I appreciate all the comments that were made, and especially about the drought and thanking our volunteers and everyone.

31:13

That was really lovely.

31:14

I want to send a shout out to VDOT who have completed the work at the roundabout that's going in on hydraulic road, completed it a week early, which is a real positive for our community.

31:30

Um, so a big shout out to VDOT.

31:32

We'll have them here this afternoon and we'll be able to thank uh thank them in person.

31:37

Um I have not driven that area myself, it opened yesterday, have not gotten over there yet, but I'm looking forward to to trying it for the first time.

31:46

Um, Supervisor Malik says it works, so that's great.

31:51

All right.

31:52

Is there anything else from anyone?

31:53

Yes.

31:53

Yes.

31:54

Uh I just wanted to say that I went there also yesterday.

31:57

It is fantastic.

31:59

It is easy.

32:00

And the other thing that was after the going to Putt Putt, which I neglected to say uh also with Supervisor Malik, the PUP PUT event, which also included fire, but it was a wonderful uh night out for the police department.

32:15

And they really did a great job.

32:18

And it was packed.

32:19

So it was really nice seeing all the kids, the long lines and uh it was really nice to get the snow cones.

32:26

It was so hot.

32:27

Thank you.

32:28

Sure.

32:29

All right.

32:30

Our next item uh, and I don't see any proclamations or recognitions on our agenda.

32:36

So we'll move on to matters from the uh public not listed for public hearing or matters previously considered by the board or matters that are pending before the board.

32:46

And I believe I see that we do have some sign-ups.

32:50

So I will turn this over to Supervisor Lapisto Kurtley, who's going to read the rules and announce the speakers.

32:56

Thank you.

32:58

During the time set aside for matters on the agenda but not listed for public hearing, individuals may address the board of supervisors concerning matters previously considered by the board or matters that are pending before the board, other than items listed on the agenda for public hearing.

33:14

Individuals are allowed one opportunity of up to three minutes to speak at each board meeting during matters from the public.

33:21

A sign-up sheet is managed by the clerk's office.

33:24

Uh, up to 10 persons may speak uh during each matters from the public session.

33:29

Timekeeping is conducted through a timer and light system at the podium.

33:34

The green light will go on when you begin speaking, which begins your allotted time.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Transportation Safety██████████████14%
Zoning And Land Use████████████12%
Public Engagement███████████11%
Fire And Rescue███████████11%
Procedural█████████9%
Roadway Maintenance██████6%
Public Safety████4%
Environmental Protection████4%
Public Transportation████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Albemarle County Board of Supervisors Meeting - August 7, 2024

The Board of Supervisors met on August 7, 2024, at 6:00 PM to discuss a range of items including a public-private partnership for the Eastern Avenue connector, wildland fire prevention strategies, quarterly reports from VDOT, and several public hearings. The meeting included unanimous support for moving forward with the PPTA process, consensus to update the burn ordinance, and approval of several development and zoning items.

Consent Calendar

  • The consent agenda was adopted unanimously via roll call (all supervisors present voting in favor).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Janie Holberg (White Hall district) expressed concerns about the Eastern Avenue connector project, questioning cost estimates, funding gaps, and the risk that development (Oak Bluff) would proceed without infrastructure. She urged the board to get required approvals on the bridge design before approving the development.
  • Carol Fairborn (Crozet) raised similar concerns about cost estimates (noting VDOT's 2023 estimate of $39.5 million), funding sources, environmental issues in the FEMA floodplain, and whether the board would prioritize county funds for this connector over other district projects.
  • Bill O'Malley (White Hall) asked how the county would mitigate risk if FEMA does not approve the bridge design, and called for addressing the appearance of a quid pro quo related to Project Heron.

Discussion Items

Public-Private Transportation Act (PPTA) – Eastern Avenue Connector Finding of Public Interest

  • Lance Stewart (Director of Facilities and Environmental Services) and Brian McPeters (Kimley Horn consultant) presented the history, benefits, cost estimates, risk assessment, and the PPTA process for extending Eastern Avenue across Lickinghole Creek to connect to Route 250.
  • The project is estimated at $39.5 million (2023 VDOT estimate inflated to 2031). The county has $17.3 million identified in the CIP, with a potential gap to be filled by a private partner through the PPTA.
  • The project was rated as medium risk due to the county's unfamiliarity with PPTA for transportation, but the board expressed support for moving forward. No formal vote was taken; the county executive was authorized to execute the finding of public interest.
  • Supervisors Galloway, Lapisto Kirtley, Malik, and McKeel voiced strong support, emphasizing the need for alternative funding mechanisms and best value procurement. The board acknowledged public concerns about cost, funding, and environmental approvals but committed to proceeding.

Wildland Fire Prevention Strategies

  • Chief Dan Eggleston and Chief Emily Politia (Fire Rescue) presented a risk assessment and after-action review from the March 20, 2024 wildland fires that burned hundreds of acres and stressed the system.
  • Key drivers: climate change and urbanization. 85-90% of wildfires are human-caused.
  • Short-term actions: situational awareness dashboard, daily wildfire threat analysis. Long-term: comprehensive risk assessment, fire adapted communities (Firewise USA), and updating the open burn ordinance.
  • The board gave consensus to move forward with revising the burn ordinance (Chapter 6, Article 4) to simplify and enhance provisions, with consideration of air quality and community input.
  • Supervisors asked for outreach to schools, CACs, and the UVA Foundation, and for a balanced approach between tree canopy preservation and defensible space.

VDOT Quarterly Report

  • Carrie Shepherd (VDOT Residency Administrator) reported on projects: the Hydraulic Road roundabout completed a week early; public hearings scheduled for Brookmar Drive Connector (October) and Route 250/Route 20 intersection (September 10); bids for Route 601 Old Ivy Bridge came in too high and will be readvertised.
  • Design-build bundles: Hydraulic bundle completed, second Albemarle bundle awarded June 18. Rural rustic projects on schedule.
  • Traffic engineering updates: Plank Road through-truck restriction approved; Georgetown Road signage under review; Sugar Hollow Road speed limit signs to be updated.
  • Supervisors asked about post-construction analysis, the Hillsdale/Greenbrier intersection modular roundabout study, and paving schedules.

Tropical Storm Debbie Update

  • Trevor Henry (Deputy County Executive) reported that the county activated its Emergency Operations Center virtually. Heavy rain (3-7 inches, locally up to 10) expected Thursday afternoon through Friday with flash flooding risk. Swift water rescue teams on standby. A local emergency declaration may be considered.

Closed Session

  • The board convened in closed session to discuss appointments, interim county attorney, litigation, and business development. After returning, they certified the closed meeting and approved the reappointment list for boards/commissions and appointed Andy Herrick as Interim County Attorney effective September 1, 2024.

Public Hearings

Compensation for Planning Commission and Other Boards

  • Jessica Rice (HR Director) proposed increasing annual compensation for Planning Commission members from $7,534 to $7,685, and per-meeting compensation for other appointed boards from $83 to $85, retroactive to July 1, 2024. Approved unanimously.

Flow Hyundai Outdoor Storage Display and Sales (SP 2023-00021) and Special Exception for Vehicle Waiting Repair Screening (SE 2023-00046)

  • Chris Taggart (Senior Planner) presented the request for a special use permit for outdoor vehicle display in the entrance corridor overlay district and a special exception to the screening requirement for vehicles awaiting repair due to challenging topography.
  • The applicant (Flow Hyundai) noted that vehicles awaiting repair are indistinguishable from new cars, and that meeting the

Meeting Transcript

I'm getting the thumbs up from our clerk. And I believe I've already announced the remote particip uh participation uh supervisor andrews. So he can hear us we just can't hear him. Um to adjust from air, supervisor. Free screenings and information, uh health screenings, uh health and wellness resources, immunizations, community resources, fitness information, financial health resources. Uh UVA and Senterra will be present uh for all this. And it's Saturday, September twenty-eighth, and maybe we can put this also uh on one of our newsletters, but Saturday, September twenty-eighth from ten AM to two PM at the St. John family life and fitness center. Thank you. All right. Thank you very much. Uh I really appreciate the comments of earlier speakers calling out uh the all the work that our volunteers do all across our community, whether it's trails or uh serving their neighbors through storms and and uh helping veterans transition back to civilian life, all sorts of stressors that are made better by our fellow citizens along the way. Um I will this gives me a great reminder to thank the Crozet Trails crew who has for fifteen years been building trails in the growth area in Croze and who are now raising donation funds for a significant bridge over Lick and Hole Creek, which will connect neighborhoods south of the creek to the downtown without having to go on the street, which will be wonderful. I was fortunate to attend the national night out and with the police department last night. It was a wonderful success. It was very hot. But there were loads of families and small children or children of all ages, I say, lots of teenagers too. Um with food and uh all sorts of different branches of local government to meet with. IMAW County has officially received primary natural disaster designation status from the USDA. And I will put all the details of this for the clerk so she can have it available. But people who have livestock and pasture forage losses can contact the Farm Service Agency in Louisa. And the people who have crop losses can contact the Verona office of FSA to find help for helping to offset those costs for people farmers who have to buy hay who saw their 12 inches of beautiful forage in May disappear to bear dirt. Doesn't matter how many acres you have, it's all gone. Even if no one's eating it, it's all gone because of the wind and the heat that has just shriveled everything up. So I'm hoping that we have several days of very gentle rain here right now, but that is not going to bring it back, unfortunately, for the crop losses for corn and soybeans, which are already being filled. So I'll get all those details into the clerk's record so that people can access it that way. Thank you. And I appreciate all the comments that were made, and especially about the drought and thanking our volunteers and everyone. That was really lovely. I want to send a shout out to VDOT who have completed the work at the roundabout that's going in on hydraulic road, completed it a week early, which is a real positive for our community. Um, so a big shout out to VDOT. We'll have them here this afternoon and we'll be able to thank uh thank them in person. Um I have not driven that area myself, it opened yesterday, have not gotten over there yet, but I'm looking forward to to trying it for the first time. Um, Supervisor Malik says it works, so that's great. All right. Is there anything else from anyone? Yes. Yes. Uh I just wanted to say that I went there also yesterday. It is fantastic. It is easy. And the other thing that was after the going to Putt Putt, which I neglected to say uh also with Supervisor Malik, the PUP PUT event, which also included fire, but it was a wonderful uh night out for the police department. And they really did a great job. And it was packed. So it was really nice seeing all the kids, the long lines and uh it was really nice to get the snow cones. It was so hot. Thank you. Sure. All right. Our next item uh, and I don't see any proclamations or recognitions on our agenda.

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