Albemarle County Board of Supervisors Work Session and Business Meeting - April 17, 2025

The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors held a combined business meeting and work session on April 17, 2025, for the AC 44 comprehensive plan update. The board approved two action items (a homestay special exception and a private central sewer system) and conducted a detailed work session on the draft "Thriving Economy" and "Community Facilities & Infrastructure" chapters. Public comment focused on budget transparency, tax rates, and development boundaries. Note: The meeting transcript indicates the meeting was called to order on April 16, 2025, while the provided timestamp states April 17, 2025 – a discrepancy exists.

Consent Calendar

• Adoption of Final Agenda: Motion by Supervisor Malik, second by Supervisor McKeel, approved unanimously (6-0).
• Consent Agenda (Item 8): Motion by Supervisor McKeel, second by Supervisor Malik, approved unanimously (6-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Gary Grant (Rio District): Raised a series of critical questions about budget terminology (e.g., using "contributions" instead of "expenses"), the lack of empathy from supervisors and the county executive regarding tax increases, the hold harmless tax rate of 81.3 cents per $100, the absence of slides showing assessment increases during town halls, and the failure to thank taxpayers. He also questioned the Scottsville supervisor's comment about Albemarle being "deeply professional" and requested transparency regarding a supervisor's personal check for snow cones.
• Neil Williamson (President, Free Enterprise Forum): Argued that the AC 44 chapter on economic development should be titled "Driving Economy" rather than "Thriving" due to the need for expanded development area boundaries. He cited that 40% of the regional workforce commutes from outside, and that restricting economic activity to less than 5% of the county's land mass is short-sighted. He warned that continued constraints will price out teachers, firefighters, and police officers. He urged the board to consider the impacts of long commutes on absenteeism and retention.

Discussion Items

• Special Exception 2025-53130 (Sugar Hill Lane Homestay): Senior Planner Leah Brumfield presented a request for a homestay in an accessory structure (garage) built after 2019, thus requiring an exception. The property is a 7.27-acre rural parcel near Whitehall. No negative neighbor feedback was received; one neighbor called the applicants "exemplary hosts." Staff recommended approval. The board unanimously approved.
• Old Dominion Village Private Central Sewerage System: Civil Engineer Greg Kristiniac presented a request for a central sewer system serving 111 connections in the Crozet area. The system includes gravity lines, force mains, and two pump stations, discharging to the Albemarle County Service Authority. Discussion centered on financing (developer will take a bank loan, HOA will cover maintenance), long-term maintenance obligations, and environmental risks due to proximity to Beaver Creek Reservoir, a drinking water source for 12,000 people. Supervisor Malik expressed strong concerns about the risk of failure and the need for buyer notification and reserve funds. Staff and applicant (Tim Miller, engineer; Kitura Rowell, developer) clarified that DEQ will regulate the system and that ongoing inspections will occur. The board unanimously approved the resolution.
• Work Session on AC 44 Draft Chapters: Development Process Manager David Benish lead the review of two chapters:
  • Thriving Economy: The chapter focuses on land use, infrastructure, and workforce development. Board members emphasized the need to diversify the tax base (currently 11.3% commercial/industrial vs. 72% residential), to include a specific objective for rural economic development, to add attraction to retention/expansion strategies, to provide captions for photos and update data, and to better integrate workforce training (including partnerships with PVCC). Supervisor Galloway highlighted the need for performance benchmarks in the economic development strategic plan. Supervisor Pruitt noted conflicts between protecting industrial sites and allowing conversion to residential.
  • Community Facilities & Infrastructure: The chapter covers utilities, schools, public safety, broadband, solid waste, energy, and green infrastructure. Board members called for tightening and reducing duplication, updating outdated information (e.g., school figures), clarifying language on biosolids, ensuring schools in rural areas are not marginalized, and addressing broadband equity (ensuring underserved areas are prioritized before upgrading speed). Supervisor McKeel stressed the importance of coordinating utility work to avoid digging up new pavement. Supervisor Malik noted the need to preserve copper telephone lines during broadband transition. Supervisor Lapisto Kirtley questioned the feasibility of requiring new school locations solely within development areas.

Key Outcomes

• Action Items: Both Special Exception 2025-53130 (homestay) and the Old Dominion Village private central sewer system were approved unanimously (6-0).
• Work Session Direction: Staff were asked to:
  • Incorporate tax base diversification language into the Thriving Economy chapter.
  • Add a new objective on rural economic development.
  • Update data, add photo captions, and correct typos.
  • Tighten and consolidate actions in the Community Facilities chapter, especially regarding schools and broadband.
  • Report back with refined chapters for further board review.