After a couple of quiet weeks, this is a big one for future land use issues in the greater Charlottesville area. This newsletter should give you everything you need to join in and get access to the primary sources. There are so many connections between all that’s happening.
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 August 30, 2021: Charlottesville PC to review adjustments to draft Future Land Use Map; Albemarle not on track to meet 2030 emission reduction goals
This is another week split across two months, making it hard to gauge what kind of week it will actually be. Two days in August, then three days in September. Labor Day is a week away, but the Albemarle Board of Supervisors keeps us from a restful week with their first meeting of the month on Wednesday. The two meetings related to the Cville Plans Together initiative really push this week towards the busier side of the spectrum.
Week Ahead for September 6, 2021: Louisa BOS to talk utility-scale solar policy; Charlottesville Council to talk statue’s fate
Technically we will not have the first full week of September until the next one with much of the country on holiday for Labor Day. There are no government meetings, and this week is not a very busy one. So, this is a shorter entry than most.
Mini Summit Continues Forward Movement; Mobility Social Recognizes One Who Started It
Passionate activists, professionals, and community members came together virtually on August 27 to work to make Charlottesville and Albemarle a better place for walking, biking and active living. Later, many of them (joined by others) enjoyed an outdoor happy hour and mixer. The day culminated with a community service award presentation to Albemarle County’s recently retired Greenways Coordinator, Dan Mahon.
Week Ahead for August 23, 2021: Charlottesville PC to review two Piedmont Housing plans for Park Street; Nelson County PC to review Comprehensive Plan
On the face of it, the fourth and final full week of August seems to be a quiet one. Despite the heat, autumn is in the air and the sun fades earlier and earlier on the long march to the equinox. Public school is starting and Labor Day is two weeks away. Who wants to think about local government? I’m betting that you do, and welcome you to this installment of the Week Ahead newsletter.
Week Ahead for August 16, 2021: Albemarle to review homestay rules; Fluvanna to consider increasing by-right density in R-4 zones
Every week, I spend several hours going through the agenda of every public meeting agenda in the Charlottesville area in order to produce this report. Like every other spot on the globe, this area faces challenges in a changing world where uncertainty is seemingly the only constant. I am aware that many of these topics may seem small at first glance. But I do this work to try to help us all achieve a better place.
Conservation Outcomes from a Speedy Special Session
Well, that was fast! Less than two weeks after gaveling in on Monday, Aug. 2, the Virginia General Assembly concluded its special session on Tuesday, Aug. 10.
Week Ahead for August 9, 2021: Community meetings for two Piedmont Housing projects; Nelson BOS to consider funding for Nelson Heritage Community Center
There are 19 items in today’s installment, and I have a lot more to go through for future editions of Charlottesville Community Engagement. I do not take it lightly when I say I felt a calling to get back to doing this work when I made the leap of faith to be an independent journalist again. Nothing makes me more easy than taking time off!
New skilled meat cutter training program will help region’s meat processors serve Virginia cattle farmers
A recent study by The Piedmont Environmental Council and American Farmland Trust, spurred by pandemic-related breakdowns in national and local food supply systems, has led to the development of a new meat-cutter training program to be offered by the Rappahannock Center for Education beginning late fall 2021. Using a national training model, the program is intended to help local meat processors expand their operations and increase their capacity to serve the region’s cattle farmers by building a larger pool of available skilled laborers in the field.
Week Ahead for August 2, 2021: City Council recommended to keep meetings virtual for now; TJPDC to adopt regional housing plan
Somehow we find ourselves more than half of the way through 2021, a year in which the pandemic still permeates so much of our lives. Rising numbers of cases in Virginia have many thinking more cautiously about the near future. For instance, Charlottesville City Council will get details about a staff recommendation to not proceed with a once-considered plan to return to normal after Labor Day.