Albemarle County Board of Supervisors Meeting - August 6, 2025
Albemarle County Board of Supervisors Meeting - August 6, 2025
The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors held a regular meeting on August 6, 2025, starting at 1:00 PM and extending past 11:00 PM. The meeting covered a wide range of topics including housing fund allocations, the permanent closure of Free Bridge Lane, a work session on data center regulations, a public hearing on the CBI Forest School special use permit, and multiple public comment periods. Key decisions included approval of funding for housing programs, permanent discontinuance of Free Bridge Lane, and approval of the CBI Forest School with conditions. The board also provided guidance on data center regulations and received petitions from the Crozet Community Association.
Consent Calendar
- Approved minutes from several prior meetings.
- Approved fiscal year 2025 and 2026 appropriations.
- Approved VDOT Revenue Sharing Program applications, a resolution of intent for structure height regulations in Industrial Districts, a utility easement for Strawberry Hill Farm, and acceptance of roads in the Jarmans Gap Subdivision into the state secondary system.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Free Bridge Lane: Peter Krebs (Piedmont Environmental Council, Albemarle County Parks Foundation) presented a petition with ~300 signatures urging the county to make Free Bridge Lane permanent, citing community benefits and future improvements.
- Sewage Sludge: Stuart Overby (Samuel Miller district, Don't Spread on Me) opposed the land application of sewage sludge (biosolids), noting a pending permit that could include 1,649 new acres in the county, and urged the board to pass a biosolids ordinance.
- Construction Impacts: Denise Tarver Balfon (Georgetown Green community) reported rat infestation and 24-hour construction noise from the Albemarle County High School project, requesting county assistance.
- Data Centers: Multiple speakers (John Hyerman, Alicia Lenahan, Sage Bradburn, Hugh Maher, and others) urged the board to prohibit or heavily restrict data centers, citing climate impacts, water use, noise, and utility cost increases. Some also raised concerns about federal immigration enforcement and surveillance.
- CBI Forest School: Dozens of speakers testified both for and against the special use permit. Supporters highlighted the school's unique outdoor education model, community benefits, and the need for early childhood care. Opponents, primarily Dudley Mountain Road residents, emphasized traffic safety concerns, road inadequacy, and environmental impacts. The community-led traffic count recorded 591 vehicle trips on July 1, 2025, far exceeding the 2018 VDOT count of 130.
- Immigration Resolution: Alicia Lenahan presented a proposed resolution condemning federal immigration enforcement tactics and affirming community safety principles.
Discussion Items
- Affordable Housing Investment Fund (Item 9): Staff recommended $230,000 in funding: $150,000 for the county’s Energy Improvement Program (weatherization) and $80,000 for the Housing Navigation Partnership (rental assistance and financial counseling). The board approved both, with a remaining fund balance of $4,977,130. Supervisor Pruitt raised concerns about using the fund for predictable needs rather than emerging ones, and suggested adding resale provisions to preserve long-term affordability.
- Free Bridge Lane Pilot Program (Item 10): Staff presented a summary of the pilot, noting 37,009 pedestrian/bike counts from November 2024 to July 2025. The board voted unanimously to pursue permanent discontinuance, authorizing the county executive to submit a petition to VDOT. Future improvements include parking, ADA access, and potential public art.
- Biophilic Cities Network (Item 17): Intern Noah Ellington presented the network, which promotes human-nature connections. The board expressed support for membership, which is non-binding and requires an annual report on selected metrics. Staff will bring back a resolution of intent.
- Data Center Phase 2 Work Session (Item 11): Staff proposed updated regulations including stricter noise limits (max 60 dBA daytime, 55 dBA nighttime), enhanced landscaping (three rows of evergreens), building design standards, water use restrictions (no groundwater, no evaporative cooling), and generator requirements (natural gas or Tier 4). Five overlay districts were identified within the development area (Emerson, Rivanna Futures, Airport/North Fork, Pantops, Route 29/I-64). The board discussed tiered by-right sizes (40,000 sq ft, 125,000 sq ft, 500,000 sq ft). Supervisors expressed mixed views: some supported the tiers, others preferred requiring special use permits for any data center over 40,000 sq ft due to uncertainty. Staff will refine the regulations and bring them back for public hearing in October (Planning Commission) and November (Board).
- CBI Forest School (Item 19): The board considered a special use permit for a private forest school on a 156-acre rural area parcel, with a maximum enrollment of 144 students (pre-K to 5th grade). Staff recommended denial due to traffic and road safety concerns on Dudley Mountain Road, which fails VDOT standards. The Planning Commission had recommended approval 3-2. After extensive public comment, the board voted 5-1 (Supervisor McKeel dissenting) to approve the permit with conditions, including a conservation easement on 140 acres, road improvements, and staggered drop-off times. The board also directed staff to request VDOT safety improvements at the Old Lynchburg Road intersection.
- Petitions from Crozet Community Association (Item 21): Supervisor Malik presented petitions concerning enforcement of the county's Water Protection Ordinance at the Montclair development site, completion of the Eastern Avenue Connector Bridge, and inclusion of state law limits on growth area size in the comprehensive plan. The petitions were read into the record.
Key Outcomes
- Approved consent agenda unanimously.
- Approved $230,000 from the Affordable Housing Investment Fund (5-0).
- Approved permanent discontinuance of Free Bridge Lane and authorized petition to VDOT (5-0).
- Directed staff to pursue membership in the Biophilic Cities Network, with a resolution to follow.
- Provided guidance on data center regulations: staff will prepare a revised ordinance with performance standards, overlay districts, and options for tiered by-right sizes or requiring special use permits for all data centers over 40,000 sq ft. Public hearings are scheduled for October (Planning Commission) and November 2025 (Board).
- Approved the CBI Forest School special use permit and special exception (5-1) with conditions including a conservation easement, road widening in front of the site, staggered drop-off, and ongoing traffic monitoring. The board also committed to advocating for VDOT safety improvements.
- Requested information from staff on compliance of the Earlysville Forest truck traffic with the conditions of the special exception; a written report will be provided to the board.
- Received petitions from the Crozet Community Association regarding stream protection, growth area limits, and the Eastern Avenue Connector.
Meeting Transcript
I am pleased to call to order this regular meeting of the Almara County Board of Supervisors on the 6th of August at 1 p.m. in Lane Auditorium. I'd like to note at the Dais, we have Supervisor Mike Pruitt of the Scottsville District, Supervisor B. Lapisto Kirtley of the Rivana District, Supervisor Ann Malik of the White Hall District, and myself, Diantha McKeel of the Jack Chewett District. A quorum is present. Board taking note of the two empty seats. Supervisor Ned Galloway will be joining this meeting this afternoon remotely. And Jim Andrews of the Samuel Miller District is requesting now to participate remotely in accordance with the applicable board rules of procedure. Rule number 8B 1D enacted pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act. Superadvisor Andrews. Hello. Good afternoon. Would you please state your location and your reason for remote participation? Yes, thank you. I am in uh on Gestrick Road in Sorento, Maine, uh for a personal family uh event. All right, thank you. I will now entertain a motion to allow Supervisor Andrews to participate in the meeting remotely. So moved. Second. We have a motion from Supervisor Malik and a second from Supervisor B. Lapisto Kirtley, without objection if the clerk will call the roll. Ms. Lapisto Kirtley. Aye. Ms. Malik. Yes, Ms. McKeel? Yes. Mr. Cruitt. Aye. Welcome, Supervisor Andrews. As you can see, based on Chair Andrews' remote participation, I will be chairing the meeting today. And I will add that Chair Andrews leaves big shoes to fill, and I'll do my best. We are joined on the dais by County Executive Jeff Richardson, County Attorney Andy Herrick, and to my far left is our board clerk Claudette Orgenson and our senior deputy clerk Travis Morris. To my far right are Almore County Deputy County Executives Ann Wall and Trevor Henry. I'd also like to welcome Almara County Police Officers present. Master Police Officer Jerry Shank and police officers Inzo Azari. We thank you for your service today and for the work you and your colleagues do every day throughout the county for the safety and security of our community. Now, if all present could stand as you are able and join us for the Pledge of Allegiance. Everybody okay. I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic. Thank you. Would you please join us for a moment of silence? Thank you. Our next item is adoption of the final agenda. I am looking around to see if any supervisors have anything that they would like to add. I do, thank you. Under amending the agenda, due to my error, neglecting to copy all board members on my request to the clerk to add these items to the printed agenda by Monday deadline.
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