Albemarle County Board of Supervisors Organizational Meeting - January 8, 2025

Meeting: January 8, 2025, at 1:00 PM, Lane Auditorium. The meeting began with the annual organizational meeting, which included the election of officers, appointment of clerk, adoption of the 2025 calendar, rules, policies, and operating guidelines. Following these organizational items, the Board conducted a work session on the AC44 Rural Area Land Use Chapter and then entered a closed meeting for appointments. The meeting adjourned to January 15, 2025.

Consent Calendar

• Resolution to Approve License for Training Activities (Item 12.1): Approved by recorded vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

Nine members of the public spoke during the "From the Public" period. Key themes included:

• John Gooley (Samuel Miller District): Urged preservation of gravel roads for their scenic and recreational value, citing the Albemarle Gravel and Wine group.
• Bob Putnam (Scottsville District): Expressed support for the Albermarle County Conservation Easement Program (ACE) and urged funding for it, noting its importance for small landowners.
• Rex Lindville (Samuel Miller District): Celebrated the opening of Biscuit Run Park and urged reactivation of the ACE program with increased funding for monitoring and enforcement capacity.
• John Moore (Samuel Miller District): Highlighted the importance of protecting the rural area and urged the Board to fund the ACE program and establish an Albermarle County Conservation Fund.
• Dan Becker (Samuel Miller District): Shared personal experience with the ACE program, emphasizing its benefit for modest-income landowners and urged its refunding.
• Stuart Overby (Don't Spread on Me): Raised concerns about biosolids (sewage sludge) application, arguing it undermines environmental stewardship and property values. Requested the Board to adopt a biosolids ordinance.
• Peter (Farmer from North Garden): Addressed challenges of farming and conservation, calling for education and support for young farmers.
• Peggy Gilgas: Advocated for strengthened land conservation programs, including the ACE program, as a climate solution.
• Kim Biassioli (Piedmont Environmental Council): Supported the ACS44 rural area chapter but urged removing language proposing a conservation target percentage and called for stable, dedicated funding for land conservation programs.

Discussion Items

AC44 Rural Area Land Use Chapter Work Session: Principal Planner Tori Kanellopoulos presented the chapter, focusing on goals, objectives, and actions. Key discussion points included:

• Reactivating the ACE Program (Action 3.1): Several supervisors requested additional information on costs, equity criteria, and economic impacts before committing. The Board agreed to revisit the issue after staff provides more details, including a review of the JLARC study and equity analysis.
• Maximum Lot Size for Development Rights (Action 2.1): General support for reducing lot sizes to preserve more open space, though concerns were raised about topography and flexibility. Staff will bring back more details on clustering options and potential criteria.
• Rural Communities and Non-Residential Uses (Objectives 4, 5, 7): Supervisors discussed expanding services and small-scale commercial uses in rural communities, with emphasis on balancing preservation with the needs of rural residents. There was interest in resilience hubs and adaptive reuse of existing structures. The Board also debated the role of light industrial uses and the potential for studying interchanges (Shadwell and Yancy Mills).
• Farm Worker Housing (Action 4.3): Concerns were raised about potential exploitation, and staff clarified that the intention is to align with state standards but allow stricter local regulations.
• Performance Standards vs. Special Use Permits: Supervisor Galloway advocated for using performance standards to reduce administrative burdens for farmers.
• Rural Area Land Use Plan (Objective 1): The Board supported removing the conservation target percentage and emphasized the need for community engagement.

Key Outcomes

• Elections: Supervisor Jim Andrews elected Chair (unanimous). Supervisor Diantha McKeel elected Vice-Chair (unanimous).
• Organizational Approvals: Unanimous votes to appoint Claudette Borgersen as Clerk and Travis Morris as Senior Deputy Clerk; adopt the 2025 calendar, Board Rules, Policies, and Operating Guidelines; and adopt the final agenda.
• Closed Meeting: A closed meeting was held to discuss appointments to various committees and boards. Following the closed meeting, the Board certified the meeting and approved appointments to the Economic Development Authority, Equalization Board, JAUNT Board, Joint Airport Commission, Natural Heritage Committee, Thomas Jefferson Emergency Medical Services Council, and others. Additionally, Supervisors McKeel and Pruitt were appointed to the Regional Transit Authority.
• Request for Information: Staff was directed to provide additional analysis on the ACE program's cost, equity metrics, and economic impacts before the Board decides on reactivation. Further discussion on maximum lot sizes and rural community planning will occur in future work sessions.