For many, virtual meetings have lowered the barrier to entry. if you’ve ever wanted to sample what local government is about, this is the time to do so. It remains to be seen how accessible meetings will be from people’s homes in the future. But, the laying of broadband across much of the area could mean that the discussions of local democracy might take place in different ways in our near future than they did in our pre-pandemic past.
Sean Tubbs
Week Ahead for May 3, 2021: Another month, another mass of meetings
Another month begins with the finalization of the budget process in Albemarle and Nelson counties. Fluvanna will consider tax incentives for another affordable housing complex proposed by Pinnacle Construction. Albemarle’s design review board will take a look at the latest large development in Crozet. Louisa gets an update on the group studying the upper end of the county’s age demographics.
Week Ahead for May 10, 2021
Charlottesville’s Comprehensive Plan moves into a more public phase this week as a consultant hired by the city to oversee its update seeks input on the latest revisions. Even if you don’t live within city limits, the discussions will give insight into what sort of a consensus there may be about the kind of community that will be in place in the future.
Week Ahead for April 26, 2021: Natural burial grounds in Albemarle? PCRB to ask for enhanced police oversight in Charlottesville
With the exception of a couple of community meetings in Albemarle, land use does takes a back seat this week. The most important meeting is perhaps the long-awaited joint work session between the Charlottesville City Council and the Police Civilian Review Board. In all, this edition lists 20 meetings and provides links so you can learn more.
Week Ahead for April 5, 2021: Charlottesville to consider Starr Hill Vision plan, $192.2 million budget; Both city and Albemarle consider COVID emergency
After a relatively quiet week, local government gets back to full speed with meetings of the elected bodies in Albemarle, Charlottesville, Fluvanna, Greene, and Louisa. Sorry, Nelson County! It’s been a very active year so far. Budget season is coming to a close. There’s been a lot of movement on transportation projects. Both Albemarle and Charlottesville will consider whether to keep COVID restrictions that are more stringent than Virginia’s.
Week Ahead for April 19, 2021: Greene PC to take up Villages at Terrace Greene; ARB to review Biscuit Run park site plan
More than a year into the pandemic, most of this community’s public realm continues to operate virtually. While our community begins to open up more and more, this is still a time when local government meetings are accessible from anywhere. This is a good time to begin paying closer attention.
Week Ahead for April 12, 2021: Charlottesville planners to consider two housing projects, Greene to review 55-unit townhouse project
Every three years, Charlottesville selects a neighborhood to receive federal funds that come through a process known as the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). A task force is selected to review potential projects. The Ridge Street neighborhood is the current recipient and Council approved a set of recommendations at their meeting on March 15, 2021.
Week Ahead for March 29, 2021: Charlottesville’s Future Land Use Map; Clifton Inn rezoning; Albemarle’s ARP work session
This is a strange week, serving as both the tail end of March and the beginning of April. The first three days are the fifth of their number for the month, which usually means no regularly scheduled meetings. Thankfully the Charlottesville Planning Commission will meet, sparing us from an evening off.
Week Ahead for March 22, 2021: Albemarle Planning Commission to hold public hearing on land use fee increases, bigger pool at Crozet Park
We enter the second season of 2021 while Virginia localities are engaged in review of their budgets. All of them are anticipating what the American Rescue Plan might mean for their revenue as the pandemic continues to throw in surprises to every aspect of our public and private lives.
Week Ahead for March 15, 2021: Albemarle Supervisors and Greene Planning Commission to review Comprehensive Plans; many communities, many budgets
We are now at the point where budget season significantly increases the number of meetings each week. There will also increasingly be more campaign events for the many races on the ballot this November. With all gatherings geared toward virtual platforms, it’s easier to keep an eye on all of it than before, though I am beginning to really miss being around the many people I’ve gotten to know over the years.