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Record of Proceedings

Albemarle County Board of Supervisors Meeting – September 3, 2025

Board of Supervisors — Wednesday, September 3, 2025
BodyAlbemarle County, Virginia
SessionBoard of Supervisors
DateWednesday, September 3, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 4:35:08

Original source
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0:02

All right.

0:04

Recording in progress.

0:06

Good afternoon.

0:08

I'm pleased to call to order this meeting of the Alpine Rock County Board of Supervisors the 3rd of September at 1 p.m.

0:13

in Lane Auditorium in the Mount Tower Office Building.

0:16

Note at the Dais.

0:17

We have Supervisor Ann Malik of the White Hall District, Supervisor Ned Galloway of the Rio District, Supervisor Diantha McKeel of Jack Jewett District, Supervisor B.

0:25

LeBistal Kirtley of the Ravana District, Supervisor Mike Prote of the Scottsville District, and myself, Jim Andrews, representing the Samuel Miller district.

0:32

Quorum is present.

0:34

We are also joined by our county executive, Mr.

0:36

Jeff Richardson, and our county attorney, Mr.

0:38

Andy Herrick, our clerk, Ms.

0:40

Claudette Orgerson.

0:42

Also, let me please welcome County Police Officers present.

0:47

Officers Joan Woodson and Caden Painter.

0:51

Thank you for your service today and every day and all of your colleagues for our safety and security throughout the county.

0:58

If all present could now stand as you are able and join us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

1:12

One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

1:20

Thank you.

1:21

And I now ask if you'll join us in a moment of silence.

1:46

Well, board, as usual, our first action is to adopt our final agenda.

1:50

I've heard no suggestions of any changes to the agenda today.

1:54

So I'm looking for a motion to adopt the final agenda.

1:57

So moved.

1:58

Second.

2:03

Ms.

2:04

Lapista Gurtly.

2:05

Aye.

2:05

Ms.

2:06

Mallet.

2:06

Yes.

2:07

Ms.

2:07

McKeel?

2:07

Yes.

2:08

Mr.

2:08

Pruitt?

2:09

Aye.

2:09

Mr.

2:10

Andrews.

2:10

Yes.

2:11

Mr.

2:11

Galloway.

2:12

Yes.

2:12

Thank you.

2:13

And board will turn to brief announcements by board members.

2:16

Our speaking order today begins with Supervisor LaPisto Kurtley.

2:23

Yes, thank you very much.

2:25

This is coming from me directly, the styrofoam lady.

2:31

I'm hoping to bring back at our October 2nd meeting, I think it's October 2nd meeting, a um support for what the state has already passed regarding styrofoam uses by vendors.

2:46

This took place July 1st, 2025, and it's going for those who have 20 or more restaurants, and then it's going to take place again July uh 1st, 2026 for all restaurants.

2:59

But what I would like to do is uh the SWAC committee will be looking at a letter to send to the board, and uh I'd like to present that letter on the consent calendar, or I'm going to present that letter on the consent calendar as soon as the SWAC passes that uh letter.

3:17

Uh other than that, uh everything, the CAC meeting went well, a lot of questions on data centers.

3:24

Frankly, that was the big topic.

3:26

So, which is okay.

3:28

Um, and a lot more understanding of data centers and how they're going to be used, uh different sizes of what we're going to do, how that helps the economy.

3:38

So a lot of people had a lot more information, which frankly was very helpful.

3:42

And I think that's what our role is is to educate everybody uh and not make rush judgments on anything.

3:51

And that's it for right now.

3:54

Thank you.

3:55

Thank you.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Zoning And Land Use██████████████████████22%
Public Schools█████████████13%
Procedural████████████12%
Affordable Housing██████████10%
Public Safety███████7%
Economic Development██████6%
Engineering And Infrastructure██████6%
Parks and Recreation█████5%
Public Engagement███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Albemarle County Board of Supervisors Meeting

Date: September 3, 2025
Time: 1:00 PM – approximately 7:30 PM
Location: Lane Auditorium, Mount Tower Office Building

The Board of Supervisors convened for a regular meeting, covering a proclamation, public comments, school board report, national park update, development analysis, closed session, and public hearings on budget amendments, land acquisition, and a rezoning request. The meeting was chaired by Jim Andrews (Samuel Miller district) with all supervisors present.

Proclamation & Recognitions

  • National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month: The board unanimously adopted a proclamation recognizing September 2025 as National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Supervisor Ann Malik read the proclamation, citing statistics on firearm suicides and youth suicide rates. Mike Fox from Moms Demand Action spoke in support, emphasizing that means matter and removing access to firearms prevents suicides.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Mark Ewer (Barbersville property owner): Thanked Supervisor Lapisto Kirtley for prompt assistance; urged support for expanding healthy aging opportunities at the Belvedere center; noted suicides are an epidemic and males represent 77.9% of suicides.
  • Maria Koss (Jack Jewett district): Complained about loud car stereos and modified mufflers on Rio Road and Commonwealth Drive; stated police say they cannot act due to First Amendment.
  • Neil Williamson (Free Enterprise Forum): Asked about a possible 'black swan' economic development announcement (AstraZeneca) and urged board to consider its impact on development area capacity analysis.
  • Stuart Overby (Don't Spread on Me, Samuel Miller district): Expressed support for adopting both the legislative program and legislative positions documents; emphasized including biosolids language; provided hard copies.
  • Renee Scheidecker: Stated the county installed a 5G cell tower on her property's easement; her home is 125 feet from the pole; requested review of materials and possible relocation.

Quarterly Report – Albemarle County School Board

  • Presenters: Kate Acuff (Chair), Dr. Rebecca Berlin (Vice Chair), Dr. Haas (Superintendent) along with staff.
  • Key updates:
    • Phone policy: Implementation of a bell-to-bell cell phone ban K-12; no pouches used – enforcement through teacher monitoring and confiscation.
    • Visitor management: New Visitor Safe system screening against sex offender registry and custody orders.
    • Weapons screening: Piloted and now live at high schools; uses detection technology (not metal detectors).
    • School Resource Officers: Expanded to all three traditional high schools with updated MOU on selection and scope.
    • Speed cameras: On Hydraulic Road near Lambs Lane; resulted in 40-45% reduction in speeding (10+ mph over 25 mph); highest recorded speed was 68 mph during school hours.
    • Stop arm cameras: Installed on four buses; tickets start at $250.
    • New buildings: Mountain View Upper Elementary School (opens fall 2026-27, 72,000 sq ft, up to 500 students) and ACE Academy at Lambs Lane (career exploration, 400 students/day, 6 scholar studios initially).
    • Student representatives: Five non-voting student reps from each high school.
    • Foundation for Education: New executive director hired (Atalia Sergi); recent project: 1,700 backpacks distributed.
  • Discussion: Supervisors asked about armed vs. unarmed security staff, scholar studios (12 pathways including creative writing embedded in curriculum), and the impact of weapons detection on instructional time.

Shenandoah National Park Update

  • Speaker: John Mahoney, Chief of Commercial Services.
  • Key points:
    • Park visitation in 2024: 1.7 million visitors; economic impact: $104 million spent in gateway communities, supporting 1,240 local jobs.
    • Concession contract (lodging, food, campgrounds) – bids due next week; valued at $530 million gross over 15 years; will bring taxable revenue to Albemarle for Loft Mountain Campground.
    • Utility line rebuilds: FirstEnergy (211 line) and Dominion (Jarmans Gap line) – National Park Service supports resiliency improvements.
    • Fire safety: Backcountry campfires prohibited year-round; front-country burn bans issued during high fire danger; coordination with utility companies to de-energy lines during extreme conditions.
    • Access issues: Working to resolve trail access conflicts, especially on former VDOT roads now park land.
  • Discussion: Supervisors asked about tree mortality due to pests, fire conditions, and the need for better visitor flow from 211 and 33.

Discussion Item: AC44 Build-Out Analysis Update

  • Presenter: J.T. Newberry, Senior Planner.
  • Highlights:
    • Analysis compares 2022 and 2025 data on residential and non-residential capacity in designated growth areas.
    • Total residential theoretical maximum build-out decreased from 24,000 to 21,600 units (due to construction of nearly 3,000 units since 2022).
    • Current pace of building (over 700 units/year) exceeds the 20-year projected demand (675 units/year).
    • Permitted residential density approvals averaged 56% of theoretical maximum; removing North Fork project brings it to 70%.
    • Remaining developable land: 1,446 acres (6.1% of development areas), 56% vacant.
    • Constraining factors: land cost, zoning vs. comp plan mismatch, redevelopment challenges.
    • Future work: digital tool for scenario modeling; market-based capacity analysis and scorecard due January 2026.
  • Discussion: Supervisors questioned about excluding owner-occupied parcels, the 34 units/acre density standard, form-based code progress, and need to adapt to market conditions.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Calendar: Unanimously adopted final agenda.
  • Proclamation: Unanimously adopted National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month proclamation.
  • Public Comments: Heard five speakers; no action taken.
  • School Board Report: Received as information.
  • Shenandoah National Park Update: Received as information.
  • AC44 Update: Received as information; further analysis to come in January 2026.
  • Closed Session: Approved motion to convene closed session (6:45 PM) under VA Code §§ 2.2-3711(A)(1), (6), (8), (29) to discuss appointments, investment of public funds (performance agreement with Bonamous Inc.), legal advice, and contract negotiation. Reconvened at 7:10 PM; certified compliance by vote (6-0, Galloway abstained).
  • Appointments: Approved reappointments/unopposed appointments to various boards and committees (Fifth and Avon CAC, Crozet CAC, Jaunt, Natural Heritage, Places29 committees, Region 10 CSB, etc.) – unanimous.
  • First Public Hearing – FY26 Budget Amendments: Approved (6-0) resolution appropriating $12.5 million (including $10.2 million capital for Rivanna Futures, $2.1 million special revenue, and $245,000 general fund).
  • Second Public Hearing – Acquisition of 2224 Commonwealth Drive: Approved (6-0) condemnation resolution authorizing condemnation of 31 sq ft permanent take and 541 sq ft utility easement for sidewalk project; staff noted recent offer acceptance may allow settlement.
  • Third Public Hearing – ZMA 2024-8 Brook Hill Amendment: Approved (5-1, Pruitt dissenting) to add 300 residential units (total 1,850), with amended proffer changing 'elementary school' to 'school' to provide flexibility for school division. Applicant will provide 60 additional affordable units (20% of new units) at 80% AMI; planning commission had recommended approval.
  • Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at approximately 7:30 PM; next meeting scheduled for September 10, 2025 (special AC44 work session).

Meeting Transcript

All right. Recording in progress. Good afternoon. I'm pleased to call to order this meeting of the Alpine Rock County Board of Supervisors the 3rd of September at 1 p.m. in Lane Auditorium in the Mount Tower Office Building. Note at the Dais. We have Supervisor Ann Malik of the White Hall District, Supervisor Ned Galloway of the Rio District, Supervisor Diantha McKeel of Jack Jewett District, Supervisor B. LeBistal Kirtley of the Ravana District, Supervisor Mike Prote of the Scottsville District, and myself, Jim Andrews, representing the Samuel Miller district. Quorum is present. We are also joined by our county executive, Mr. Jeff Richardson, and our county attorney, Mr. Andy Herrick, our clerk, Ms. Claudette Orgerson. Also, let me please welcome County Police Officers present. Officers Joan Woodson and Caden Painter. Thank you for your service today and every day and all of your colleagues for our safety and security throughout the county. If all present could now stand as you are able and join us in the Pledge of Allegiance. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. And I now ask if you'll join us in a moment of silence. Well, board, as usual, our first action is to adopt our final agenda. I've heard no suggestions of any changes to the agenda today. So I'm looking for a motion to adopt the final agenda. So moved. Second. Ms. Lapista Gurtly. Aye. Ms. Mallet. Yes. Ms. McKeel? Yes. Mr. Pruitt? Aye. Mr. Andrews. Yes. Mr. Galloway. Yes. Thank you. And board will turn to brief announcements by board members. Our speaking order today begins with Supervisor LaPisto Kurtley. Yes, thank you very much. This is coming from me directly, the styrofoam lady. I'm hoping to bring back at our October 2nd meeting, I think it's October 2nd meeting, a um support for what the state has already passed regarding styrofoam uses by vendors. This took place July 1st, 2025, and it's going for those who have 20 or more restaurants, and then it's going to take place again July uh 1st, 2026 for all restaurants.

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