This text was taken from an email alert sent out on April 17, 2025. Sign up for email alerts →
Dear Supporter,
The Piedmont Environmental Council was founded over 50 years ago to promote smart land use and conservation of natural resources. That advocacy and the work of many others has created a remarkably well-defined Charlottesville/Albemarle urban core, surrounded by rural areas that are predominantly set aside for agriculture, forestland and natural systems like our drinking water supply. If we are to continue to limit sprawl, reduce climate impacts, and support healthy and prosperous communities, the urban core must be compact, well-connected, and highly livable.
PEC’s emphasis on smart growth with intentional planning is why we are so supportive of Albemarle’s Growth Management Policy that directs growth into the urban core and other designated growth areas, as well as the development of multimodal transportation infrastructure to meet the community’s needs. It is also why we support initiatives that increase the housing supply such as establishing and funding a Housing Trust Fund and working to significantly increase missing middle and workforce housing.
We’ve been hearing a lot lately about something we cannot support: transition areas outside of the Development Areas. Building outside of development areas would contribute to sprawl and would likely not be affordable, but rather characterized by large lot sizes and high sale prices. This type of sprawling development will impact both existing residents and future generations with environmental impacts and increased cost of community services such as the extension of water, sewer and transportation services, which must be paid for and maintained at community expense. Witness, for example, the high cost of expanding fire protection in the county. This is why compact development and redevelopment in designated areas is so crucial. Housing in zones without infrastructure and existing services is also typically less affordable for the individual when all costs, such as transportation including owning a car and paying for gas, are considered.
The county has many priorities and challenges as it finalizes the budget for Fiscal Year 2026. We hope you’ll join PEC, the Community Climate Collaborative and others in advocating for increased funding for climate action and supporting conservation programs that increase our climate and flood resiliency today. You can count on PEC to continue advocating for good local policies and to continue communicating about these and other issues that impact area residents. Read on for a brief snapshot of some of what we’ve been working on in Charlottesville and Albemarle County.
Albemarle’s Data Center Zoning
Over two years ago, as part of our ongoing involvement in the Albemarle Comprehensive Plan (AC44) process, PEC highlighted that data centers — physical storage facilities for electronic data — were not addressed in the planning process and that Albemarle’s zoning ordinance allowed for a data center of any size to be by-right, meaning without legislative review or public comment, within industrial districts.
Now, thanks to the joint proactive advocacy of PEC and the Southern Environmental Law Center, the zoning text will be amended to require larger data centers (over 40,000 square feet of floor area) to secure a Special Use Permit. This will ensure the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors are able to review proposals. Loudoun County, the “data center capital of the world” recently adopted a similar measure, as did the Town of Culpeper, eliminating by-right data center development to better address potential adverse impacts. Culpeper County is undergoing the same process right now.
Similarly, Albemarle County is also committing to study data center impacts on energy usage and water consumption, as well as potential air and noise pollution, habitat loss, sustainable design standards, energy efficiency, and industry transparency. These areas all reflect efforts by PEC’s Data Center Reform Coalition in Northern Virginia and statewide at the Virginia General Assembly.
Mobility Summit Success + Upcoming Bike Month
Every year, leaders, professionals, advocates, business owners and ordinary citizens come together at the Active Mobility Summit to find ways to improve walking, biking, running and everyday access to nature in Charlottesville and Albemarle County. This year’s 5th annual summit was the most successful yet, bringing together 150 people over two days in celebration of this year’s theme, the Three Notched Trail, a proposed multi-use trail that will connect the City of Charlottesville to the Blue Ridge Mountains through the rolling countryside of Albemarle County.
The success of this year’s event came down to the speakers from Waynesboro, Richmond and Washington D.C., who shared stories about challenges and triumphs implementing initiatives similar to what we are trying to accomplish locally, as well as attendees from the general public who were engaged, asked questions and participated in workshops. See our website for a full rundown of the event, including videos of the keynote address and trail leaders panel.
The momentum only continues up from here though as we gear up for Bike Month in May! There will be a full calendar of exciting events, gatherings and group rides organized by several of the groups that constitute the Piedmont Mobility Alliance. Watch for a future email detailing bike month activities. In the meantime you can use this form to volunteer to help out.
PEC partners with American Farmland Trust to help prevent loss of farmland
Photo by American Farmland Trust.
Virginia has been losing farmland for decades, including more than 7,000 farms between 2012 and 2022. Often this happens when a farmer retires or dies without a succession plan for their property, leaving the land vulnerable to subdivision and development and ultimately unable to continue producing local products that contribute to the rural economy. To help prevent this sort of loss, PEC has joined the American Farmland Trust’s Land Transfer Navigators program to offer workshops and direct assistance to landowners seeking to transfer their farm to the next generation.
Nearly 300 million acres of agricultural land — roughly a third of the size of the contiguous U.S. — is estimated to change hands by 2040, so now is an essential time to ensure that the nation’s food supply is protected. If you need or are planning a land transfer or succession, please contact PEC’s Kim Biasiolli, the Land Transfer Navigator for Virginia [email protected].
Locally, we continue to advocate for increased support for conservation programs in Albemarle County that work to protect farm and forestland, advance public benefits like climate and flood resiliency, and ensure that landowners of all income levels can participate.
Upcoming Events
Northern Albemarle Conservation Speed Dating
Mon, April 23, 1–4 p.m., Montfair Resort Farm, 2500 Bezeleel Drive Crozet
Conservation speed dating is a hands-on workshop for landowners and producers that provides one-on-one time with local land management and conservation practitioners to discuss their interests, options, and next steps specific to their property. All participants will receive a large-scale printed map and have the opportunity to explore various conservation practices and financial assistance with representatives from PEC, Blue Ridge PRISM, the Thomas Jefferson Soil & Water Conservation District, American Farmland Trust, NRCS, James River Association and the Department of Forestry.
Space is limited, so email Lauria McShane at [email protected] as soon as possible if you would like to participate.
E-Bike Voucher Registration
Sign-up deadline: Friday, April 30 at 5 p.m.
E-Bikes are game-changers to get people out of cars, while dramatically reducing carbon emissions, traffic congestion and the need for parking. They transform cycling in ways that are particularly important. To make things more affordable, the City of Charlottesville is offering a $1,000 voucher for e-bike purchases. Register for several drawings throughout 2025. The second registration period will end Friday, April 30 at 5 p.m. Learn more at https://cvilleebike.com/.
Bike Month
All May long! Locations throughout Charlottesville and Albemarle County
This month-long community-powered celebration of freedom to move about the community grew out of the 2022 Active Mobility Summit. There is an event, gathering or group ride for all skill levels organized by several of the groups that constitute the Piedmont Mobility Alliance. We’ll send out the Bike Month calendar soon so you won’t miss any of the events happening nearly every day of the month of May. Volunteers are needed.
Solarize Piedmont
Runs now through July 15
Does the warmer weather put solar on the mind? If you’re interested in accessing solar for your home, Solarize Piedmont, our annual campaign with Local Energy Alliance Program (LEAP) is running through the end of June. The program offers free satellite assessments of your home’s solar capacity, a roster of pre-vetted installers with discounted prices, and ongoing support and education during the process. Learn more about how to get started →
See you in the community,
Faith Schweikert
Communications Specialist
[email protected]