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.
Our Region
PEC focuses on nine counties and one city in the northern Piedmont of Virginia: Albemarle, Charlottesville, Clarke, Culpeper, Fauquier, Greene, Loudoun, Madison, Orange, and Rappahannock.
We also team with local organizations to promote thriving communities and healthy natural resources in a much larger region, including the Shenandoah Valley, the central Piedmont, and the Journey Through Hallowed Ground Corridor. In addition, we are proud to serve as fiscal sponsor of the Coalition for Smarter Growth, an organization that focuses on land use and policy in the greater Washington D.C. area.
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.
Massive Rezoning Proposed in Orange County
Orange County is considering an enormous, 2,602-acre development and rezoning proposal, called Wilderness Crossing, which would be the largest land rezoning in the county’s history…
Data Center Development Threatens Rural Crescent
Find out what’s happening in Prince William County. View StoryMap >>
New boat launch on the Rappahannock River
On August 14, Fauquier County’s second Rappahannock River kayak/canoe launch officially opened at the Rector Tract with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, offering county residents a new public access point to the state-designated scenic river.
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.
Act Now to Clean up Virginia Politics
At 1 p.m. on Monday, a specially-convened committee on campaign finance reform will hold its first-ever meeting. This is your opportunity to tell legislators to enact common sense campaign finance reforms to ensure transparency and protect the integrity of our political system.
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!