Albemarle County Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting - February 19, 2025

The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors met on February 19, 2025, from 1:00 PM to late evening, covering a broad agenda that included a proclamation, public comments, a work session on the AC44 comprehensive plan updates, a presentation on conservation easements, and public hearings on an easement and eight Agricultural and Forestal Districts (AFDs). The board adopted the consent agenda, approved the proclamation, and voted unanimously to approve the easement and to renew the AFDs per the staff recommendation. The AC44 discussion continued without final decisions.

Consent Calendar

• Approved by recorded vote:
  • Minutes from multiple meetings in 2023.
  • Revitalization Area Designation for Parkview at South Pantops.
  • Proclamation for the 65th anniversary of the Center at Belvedere (moved to regular agenda).
• Received for information:
  • FY 25 Second Quarter Financial Report.
  • Land Use and Environmental Planning Committee (LUEPC) Report – Second Half of 2024.
  • VDOT Monthly Report (February 2025).

Proclamations & Recognitions

• Proclamation Celebrating the 65th Anniversary of the Founding of the Center at Belvedere – Read by Supervisor Galloway. The board recognized the center’s role in supporting older adults and reducing county service costs. Executive Director Melanie Benjamin accepted virtually. Board members shared personal anecdotes and praised the center’s growth from 37 members in 1965 to over 2,000 today.

Public Comments & Testimony

First Session (1:00 PM):

• Lynn Gebhard (Scottsville District) – Urged inclusion of horse industry language in the AC44 comprehensive plan and reinstatement of horse trails at Biscuit Run Park.
• Mark Gebhard (Scottsville District) – Criticized AC44 for failing to coordinate with regional plans and for promoting equity/equality ideology; opposed expansion of development area.
• Paula Beasley (Samuel Miller District) – Opposed land swapping and expansion of development area; stressed preserving rural lands for agriculture, tourism, and environmental benefits.

Second Session (6:00 PM):

• Michael Monaco (White Hall District) – Advocated for a $10 million annual housing trust fund and increased density in the urban ring.
• Matthew Gillikin (Livable Cville) – Urged bold action on housing affordability, including a housing trust fund, and building more rental stock.
• Todd Cohn (Rio District) – Shared personal struggle with rising rent and supported the housing coalition’s letter.
• Victoria Velicki (Scottsville District) – Asked that equine activities be explicitly included in the comprehensive plan.
• David Velicki (Scottsville District) – Supported his wife’s comments.
• Dr. Matthew Allen – Emphasized homelessness prevention through emergency relief programs.
• Michael Crenshaw (Crozet) – Highlighted the need for affordable housing for service workers.
• Ann Tujan (Jack Jouett District) – Called for smart growth that includes affordable housing for essential workers.

Discussion Items

AC44 Work Session (1:40 PM – 4:15 PM, continued after recess):

• Development Area/Rural Area Boundary Criteria – Staff presented criteria for potential land swaps. Supervisors debated: some supported adding criteria to the comp plan for future consideration; others preferred a master planning process. Concerns included protecting watersheds, avoiding steep slopes, and ensuring fairness. No final decision.
• Transfer of Development Rights (TDRs) – Staff proposed adding TDRs as a tool for rural area conservation. Most supervisors were supportive of further study, with caveats about protecting water/sewer capacity and avoiding unintended consequences.
• Small Rural Scale Uses – Discussed allowing additional non-residential uses (e.g., country stores, daycares, offices, restaurants at wineries) via special use permits. Supervisors generally favored exploring criteria but had reservations about restaurant traffic and water use.
• Document Revisions – Board reviewed updates to the Growth Management Policy, Rural Area Land Use, and Development Area Land Use chapters. Comments included adding historical context (1980 referendum), clarifying development rights language, and addressing affordable housing and conservation funding. Staff will incorporate feedback.

Presentation on Conservation Easements (4:15 PM):

• Jodie Filardo (Community Development) and Peter Lynch (County Assessor) explained conservation easements, the ACE (Acquisition of Conservation Easement) program, and tax implications. Key points:
  • 603 easements covering 109,000+ acres (25% of rural area).
  • ACE program: 52 easements, 9,623 acres, 56 landowners, 70% still held by original families, 80% of participants with income under $65,000.
  • Land use vs. conservation easement taxation: Conservation easements reduce assessed value permanently, lowering tax revenue but positively affecting the Local Composite Index (LCI) for school funding.
  • The board discussed redundancy of AFDs and the value of permanent conservation.

Public Hearings

Proposed Easement Across County-Owned Parcel (Item 15):

• Staff recommended granting a 20-foot public utility easement to the Albemarle County Service Authority for sewer line to Archer North development. No public speakers. Motion passed unanimously (6-0).

Agricultural and Forestal Districts (Item 16):

• Staff and Planning Commission recommended removing parcels without small lot development rights (as per county code). The AFD Advisory Committee recommended against removal, arguing it would erode districts. Public speakers (David Van Rooyen, J.C. Wolf, Melanie Van Rooyen, Shawnee Baker, Mike Haas, Annie Campbell) opposed staff recommendation, citing loss of community and district integrity. Board debated: some empathized but noted the code is clear; others cited the 2018 board decision. Motion to adopt the staff recommendation (as revised February 17, 2025) passed 6-0. Ivy Creek District was terminated due to last-minute landowner withdrawal.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda adopted unanimously.
• Proclamation for Center at Belvedere approved.
• AC44 Work Session – No final decisions; staff will continue revisions and return with updates.
• Conservation Easements – Presentation received; no action taken.
• Easement Approval – Unanimous (6-0) approval of utility easement.
• Agricultural and Forestal Districts – Unanimous (6-0) renewal per staff recommendation, with removal of parcels lacking development rights.
• Closed Meeting – Certified as compliant with FOIA.
• Next Meeting – February 26, 2025, 12:00 PM in Room 241.