Albemarle County Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting - October 25, 2024

The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors held a regular meeting on October 25, 2024, at 1:00 PM in Lane Auditorium. The meeting included public comments, adoption of the 2025 legislative priorities and positions, an economic outlook presentation, and a work session on the AC44 comprehensive plan. The board also held a closed session for legal matters. The meeting adjourned after approximately 6:30 PM.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was adopted unanimously by a 6-0 vote (roll call: Malik yes, McKeel yes, Pruitt aye, Andrews yes, Galloway yes, Lapisto Kirtley aye).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Tom Loch (resident of Crozet): Opposed any expansion of the growth area, arguing that the AC44 plan implies future expansion, which contradicts the 50-year goal of preserving rural Albemarle. He stated that land use subsidy payments have cost taxpayers over a quarter of a billion dollars since 1975, and that if preservation is abandoned, the subsidy program should end. He urged the board to choose between preservation and development.
• Neil Williamson (Free Enterprise Forum): Argued that Albemarle is not a welcoming community due to restrictive development regulations, rent control policies, lengthy project timelines, and land use maps that limit high-density housing. He called for expanding the development area, allowing higher density across the board, rejecting rent control, and streamlining procedures.

Discussion Items

• 2025 Legislative Priorities and Positions (led by Interim County Attorney Andy Herrick, with Emily Kilroy and David Blunt):

  • The board reviewed six legislative priorities: expanding photo speed device authority, adding Albemarle to the list of localities eligible for a one-cent sales tax referendum for school construction, expanding offenses subject to property forfeiture (a new approach to cost recovery for hoaxes and threats), and budget requests for Rivanna Futures ($11.2 million) and Biscuit Run Park trail ($1.37 million). Also included was a request for a state study of tools to mitigate rent increases from multifamily redevelopment.
  • Discussion focused on the property forfeiture proposal (concerns about practicality and effectiveness), the need for demerit points for speed camera violations, and the rent stabilization study. Supervisor Pruitt clarified that the study request was separate from the position statement on rent stabilization.
  • The board also considered the legislative positions (attachment B), which included 40+ positions. Seven new positions were discussed: digital equity, sustainable materials management, locality enforcement of landlord-tenant act, locality right of first refusal for affordable housing, rent stabilization support, and demerit points for truck violations. Amendments were made to add over-length trucks, include extended producer responsibility in sustainable materials management, and change the rent stabilization position from supporting legislation to supporting a state study of local implementation.
  • Key Outcome: The board adopted the legislative priorities (attachment A) unanimously. The legislative positions (attachment B) were adopted as amended, with the three amendments noted above, also unanimously (6-0).

• Economic Outlook Report (presented by Andy Bowman and Dr. Cheryl Bailey):

  • Dr. Bailey provided a national and local economic outlook. The U.S. economy is