We’re approaching the end of the seventh month of this life-changing year. It has now been four and a half months since the beginning of the pandemic. Yet the business of local and state government goes on, even as local governments push for a return for more precautions to be in place to limit human contact. More and more meetings are making the transition to virtual, increasing the need for more scrutiny and review.
Planning and Zoning
PEC believes in smart growth planning and decision-making that enhances communities, reduces vehicle miles traveled, and protects natural, cultural and historic resources.
Week Ahead for July 20, 2020 (Alb/Cville/Greene)
It’s a busy week, and even as we publish this, we know there’s more to add! The hot temperatures haven’t slowed anything down when it comes to government meetings.
Banbury Cross – Public Hearing on July 27
Today I wanted to give you an update about the proposed Banbury Cross residential development outside of Middleburg. This proposal was first submitted back in June, 2019 and was rejected by the Middleburg Planning Commission after the public hearing in September due to deficiencies in the application. Reconsideration of the application has since been delayed due to a variety of factors including Covid-19.
Week Ahead for July 13, 2020 (Alb/Cville/Greene)
Our community, state and country all face an uncertain future as a series of crises continues. The pandemic is straining every aspect of society. Many continue to risk becoming infected to protect systemic racism, demanding new forms of accountability. The threat of a world altered by climate change requires adaptation and resilience.
Week Ahead for July 6, 2020 (Alb/Cville/Greene)
It’s back to another full week, but Charlottesville City Council’s summer break sets the tone for a relatively quiet five days.
Do you know of anything happening Thursday or Friday? How are you faring in these early days of middler summer? Drop me a line and let me know what you think the community should know.
Week Ahead for June 29, 2020 (Alb/Cville/Greene)
We’ve reached the midpoint of a tumultuous year. There is a brief pulse of activity this week before the 4th of July holiday begins. As we mark the 244th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, this is a good time to reflect on where we want to go into the future.
Weigh In: Crescere Rural Resort Proposed in Madison County
PEC would like to bring your attention to the newly submitted Special Use Permit for a 749+ acre rural resort, proposed by Crystallis LLC. Crescere Rural Resort would be located on Route 231 and the Rapidan River in Madison County, just northwest of Montpelier.
Pushing for Transparency
Obviously, a lot has changed since March, when you last received a copy of the Piedmont View. Soon after, shut-down orders went into place and, like me, you might have felt like you were trapped in a bad episode of The Twilight Zone. Suddenly, any trip outside of the house came with a risk analysis. Adjustments like teleworking, or worse, changes in employment status, disrupted normal routines. Things we may have taken for granted, like access to schools and daycare, visits with elderly relatives and yes, even toilet paper, were off the table. Clearly, these have not been normal times. But that wasn’t always evident looking at local government agendas.
On the Ground – Summer 2020
Updates from around the PEC region, organized by county. Albemarle: Comprehensive Plan Updates. Clarke: StoryMap & Upcoming Webinars. Culpeper: Land Use Update, Brandy Station and Cedar Mountain State Park Study. Fauquier: Fauquier Farm & Land Conservation, Tree Giveaway, Rezonings and Plan Amendments. Greene: Growth & Development, Stormwater Runoff Assistance. Loudoun: Community Farm Update, Zoning Updates, Project Threatens Historic St. Louis. Madison: Potential Communications Tower, Conservation & Stewardship, Potential Rural Resort. Orange: Land Use Update, Green Streets. Rappahannock: Clean Water, More Trees.
Week Ahead for June 1, 2020 (Alb/Cville/Greene)
Protests continue across the United States of America against police brutality and the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis last week. These extended to Charlottesville, where peaceful protesters marched through downtown on Saturday afternoon. On Sunday afternoon, Albemarle High School Black Student Union hosted their own event outside the Albemarle County Office Building.