What does it take to build and maintain a functional civilization? There are likely many answers and many perspectives, but in this case I’m talking about physical requirements. People who live and work somewhere need to be able to get around safely, and they also need infrastructure to be in place for the essentials of being alive. What is required and who makes the decisions?
Albemarle County & the City of Charlottesville
The staff in PEC's Charlottesville office works with citizens to solve the many land use and conservation challenges facing the Charlottesville and Albemarle area.
Week Ahead for May 16, 2022: Both Albemarle and Charlottesville to consider parkland acquisition; Citizen transportation group to be briefed on climate action plans
It takes about eight hours to produce this newsletter each week and when I start work I’m not sure if there will be a theme or not. Local government touches so many aspects of our lives, and when you look at all of the meetings in the Thomas Jefferson Planning District each week, patterns for each installment emerge.
Week Ahead for May 9, 2022: Charlottesville PC to review 390-bedroom building on Jefferson Park Avenue; Nelson County Supervisors to resume discussion of Ridgecrest Mobile Home Park
So far there have been 18 weeks in 2022. What significant things have happened already? This regular weekly newsletter is only concerned with what’s coming ahead ahead in the next several days, and always, there’s a lot.
Week Ahead for May 2, 2022: City Council to be briefed on homelessness; Albemarle design review panel to review Premier Circle projects to provide homes
For the first time in a while, the first week of a month lands in such a way that there are meetings of both the Albemarle Board of Supervisors and Charlottesville City Council.
Lessons from Loudoun: What can Albemarle County learn from Loudoun County’s Rural Roads Program?
As Albemarle takes another look at its own future—and how to preserve what it has historically done well—now seems like a good time for local advocates to hear from their counterparts in other localities, who have been successful in similar socio-physical landscapes.
Week Ahead for April 25, 2022: New reservoir for Greene County to move forward; Albemarle Supervisors to decide on athletic fields
What defines whether a week is slow or busy? After producing this newsletter for over three years, I’ve lost an ability to know for sure. I do know that in an area with nearly 250,000 people, there will always be a government meeting that will affect people’s lives.
Documenting the Freetowns of the Southwest Mountains
PEC is working with community members in Albemarle County to research and document the history and associated historic resources of African American communities in and around the Southwest Mountains.
Week Ahead for April 18, 2022: Albemarle to consider over $4M in affordable housing projects; Greene County PC to review possible slaughterhouse rules
One of the most important tasks of any locality’s elected body is to approve a plan for how money will be raised from the public in order to pay for government services.
Shaping Albemarle’s Next 20 Years
Over the next few months, Albemarle residents will have an increased opportunity to play an active role in shaping the County’s future through the comprehensive planning process.
Week Ahead for April 11, 2022: Charlottesville PC to review changes to 209 Maury Avenue; Albemarle PC to review changes to Albemarle Business Campus project
Neither the Albemarle Board of Supervisors nor the Charlottesville City Council have substantive meetings this week, but there is no shortage of planning activity across the six localities covered by this weekly newsletter.