Albemarle County Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting – January 15, 2025

The Board of Supervisors met on January 15, 2025, at 1:00 PM in Lane Auditorium. The meeting included proclamations, public comments, presentations on reassessment and transportation, and several public hearings. Key decisions were made on a private sewer system, the Walnut Creek substation, tax relief for elderly and disabled, and a broadband fiber lease. The board also supported a revenue sharing application for hydraulic road improvements and received updates on microtransit ridership.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously the consent agenda (8.1-8.6), including fiscal year 2025 appropriations, delegation of BEAD letter authority to ABBA, RAISE application for Rivanna River crossing study, acceptance of roads into state system for three subdivisions, and information items (transportation planning quarterly report, VDOT quarterly report, Board to Board report). Vote: 7-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Stuart Overby (Samuel Miller district) spoke on behalf of the “Don’t Spread on Me” group, urging the county to re-examine biosolids application and include language in the AC44 comprehensive plan for a local biosolids ordinance. He noted the group is not asking for a ban but for a study and ordinance.
• Sophie Massey (Samuel Miller district) highlighted a new EPA study on PFAS risks from land-applied sewage sludge, stating the risks exceed acceptable thresholds “sometimes by several orders of magnitude.” She asked the board to direct staff to prepare a new report on the county’s role in regulating biosolids, noting that 17 Virginia counties (including neighbors Louisa, Nelson, and Orange) have such ordinances.

Discussion Items

• Proclamation Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Unanimously adopted. Representatives from Ivy Creek Natural Area and Historic Riverview Farm accepted the proclamation and spoke about preserving African American history.
• Real Estate Reassessment Update (2025): County Assessor Peter Lynch presented a 5.09% overall increase in the tax base, with urban residential properties up 6.9%. Median home value now $486,600, with an estimated $283 increase in taxes if rate unchanged. The reassessment is based on 1,849 sales; the county’s median ratio is 100% with a COD of 5.0 (excellent). Land use program deferred value is $1.7 billion with about $14.9 million in deferred taxes. Notices will be mailed January 24. Board discussed pilot program using aerial photography and e-billing.
• Lambs Lane Loop Road Study Update: Michael Stumbaugh and Thomas Ruff presented study recommendations for Hydraulic Road corridor improvements (estimated $3-6 million) between Lambs Road and Georgetown Road, including safety and pedestrian enhancements. Board was asked three questions and responded:
  1. Supported the recommended improvements for the Hydraulic corridor. (unanimous)
  2. Supported an application to fund the improvements through VDOT revenue sharing, with county 50% match and inclusion in future CIP. (unanimous)
  3. Supported the proposed campus loop road alignment, continuing evaluation of private construction by ACPS, and not including the loop road in the upcoming revenue sharing round. (unanimous)
• MicroCat Update: Kevin McDermott and Seela Hampton (VIA) reported on one year of service: 51,000+ rides, 4,000+ accounts, 4.9 average rating. Ridership grew from 500 in first month to over 6,400 in December 2024. Cost per ride dropped from $30 to $17. 70% of riders lack a personal car; 30% have annual income under $25K; 40% have long-term disability. Board discussed future fare-free period (through June 2026 under grant), integration with fixed route, and potential expansion via the Regional Transit Authority.
• Closed Meeting: Board convened at 4:45 PM to discuss performance of interim county attorney and appointment of a county attorney (per Va. Code 2.2-3711(A)(1)). Certified closed meeting afterwards. A second closed meeting occurred later in the evening to further discuss the same topics.

Public Hearings

• Tax Relief for Elderly and Disabled Persons (Ordinance Amendment): Jennifer Matheny presented recommended changes increasing maximum annual income threshold from $88,800 to $97,650 (based on 80% of area median income) and net worth threshold from $305,000 to $312,000. The board adopted the ordinance unanimously (7-0) after closing the public hearing with no speakers.
• Walnut Creek Substation Special Use Permit (SP202300017): Dominion Energy proposes a new electric substation on 10.95 acres at 2419 Old Lynchburg Road. After extensive discussion, the board approved the permit with conditions:
  • Prior to final zoning approval of each phase, owner must demonstrate noise attenuation at property line to no more than 32 dBA (to satisfaction of zoning administrator).
  • Applicant agreed to install a sound wall during any future 230 kV expansion phase, and to use sound dampening pads.
  • Director of community development to approve landscaping plan, including consideration of more mature trees at planting.
  • Standard conditions from staff report. Vote: 7-0.
• Lease of Yancey Community Center for Broadband Fiber Hut: Authorized county executive to sign a 50-year lease (renewable) at $1/year to Firefly Fiber Broadband for a 3,200 sq ft facility to support broadband expansion in Keene and Esmont as part of VATI 22 grant. Approved unanimously (7-0) after no public comment.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved.
• Innisfree Village private central sewerage and critical slopes waiver approved with condition that owner annually document compliance with state O&M requirements to county engineer. Votes: 7-0 on both resolutions.
• Real Estate Reassessment update noted; no formal vote taken.
• Lambs Lane Loop Road study direction given: support for hydraulic improvements, revenue sharing application, and loop road recommendations.
• MicroCat update received; no formal action required.
• Closed meetings held and certified.
• Ordinance modifying real estate tax relief for elderly and disabled approved effective January 1, 2025.
• Walnut Creek Substation special use permit approved with additional noise condition (32 dBA at property line) and commitments on sound mitigation.
• Yancey Community Center lease approved for broadband fiber hut.
• Board committee reports: Supervisor Mallek raised interest in a sidewalk shoveling ordinance; Supervisor Pruitt encouraged regional peer learning; Supervisor LaPisto-Kirtley reported SWAC updates on litter tax and CAC meeting flexibility; Supervisor Galloway noted TJPDC compensation study; Supervisor McKeel suggested district tours.