The arrival of Spring 2021 brings with it a special sense of rebirth and reopening as we emerge from the incredible challenges we faced together in 2020. As the weather warms, the spring ephemerals emerge, the amphibians meet in cool pools, and bird migrations begin, we are also hopeful for the return to the places, people and events that confirm our sense of community and shared mission.
Orange County
PEC’s Orange County office supports our land use and land conservation activities in the County. PEC is dedicated to promoting healthy communities and the preservation of Orange’s rural character, environment and historic resources.
On the Ground Updates – March 2020
A series of short updates from around the PEC region – Albemarle & Charlottesville, Clarke, Culpeper, Fauquier, Greene, Loudoun, Madison, Orange & Rappahannock.
Orange Board Denies Special Use Permit for Mid Atlantic Pyrotechnic Arts Guild
During their Dec 15 meeting (view recording) the Orange County Board of Supervisors voted (3-2) to deny the special use permit (SUP 20-10) for Mid Atlantic Pyrotechnic Arts Guild (MAPAG). Jim White made the motion to deny the SUP, based on inconsistencies with the Comprehensive Plan (e.g. rural nature of the A-1 zoning district being intended for use by agricultural operations and residential properties). The motion was seconded by Mark Johnson, who stated that the SUP brings very little to nothing for the residents of Orange County, and has the potential to severely impact residents’ enjoyment of their property.
On the Ground Updates – December 2020
A series of short updates from around the PEC region – Albemarle & Charlottesville, Clarke, Culpeper, Fauquier, Greene, Loudoun, Madison, Orange & Rappahannock.
Piedmont Environmental Council announces staff changes for Charlottesville and Albemarle, Culpeper, Greene and Madison counties
Piedmont Environmental Council President Chris Miller is pleased to announce the appointment of Chris Hawk as its Land Use Field Representative in Albemarle and Orange counties and of Adam Gillenwater as Senior Policy Manager & Land Use Field Representative in Culpeper, Madison and Green counties. Both began their new positions on October 30 and work out of PEC’s Charlottesville office.
PEC Requests Denial of Rezoning Request within the Germanna Wilderness Area Plan
The Orange County Planning Commission held a public hearing on Oct. 1, 2020 for a rezoning requested by Signature Series Development, LLC. The application would rezone a 75.8-acre parcel from ‘C-2 Conditional’ and ‘R-4 Conditional’ to ‘Planned Development – Mixed Use’ along Route 3 located in the Germanna Wilderness Area Plan.
Final Property Acquired for Gordonsville Town-to-Trail Initiative
Big news for the Town-to-Trail initiative.
On the Ground Updates – September 2020
Read on for a series of short updates from each of PEC’s nine counties.
Orange Land Use Update – August 20, 2020
On August 19, 2020, Orange County’s Planning Commission held a meeting to discuss two items: (1) The Preliminary Plat Review of the Winterberry Creek/Garrett Street LLC. subdivision application and (2) the Orange County (RV) Resort LLC Special Use Permit.
Online Event: Local Update for PEC Supporters in Madison & Orange Counties
Thank you to those of you who were able to join us for The Piedmont Environmental Council’s Zoom meeting, A Local Update for PEC Supporters in Madison & Orange Counties on Thursday, June 25, 2020! While we certainly miss seeing folks face-to-face, we hope you enjoyed the online presentation and learned a little bit more about the things keeping us busy these days.