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.

Banbury Cross – Public Hearing on July 27

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)

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)

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.

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

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.

Fauquier Land Use Update – June 2, 2020

Fauquier Land Use Update – June 2, 2020

As we enter the month of June our communities have entered Phase 1 of reopening. Much is still closed but much has also opened up in a limited way. The Town of Warrenton has implemented the “Roll Out Warrenton” initiative which allows for increased outdoor dining space to help restaurants meet safety requirements. While wineries and breweries in the County have pivoted to curbside pick up and delivery.

Culpeper Land Use Update – May 27, 2020

Culpeper Land Use Update – May 27, 2020

Good evening. Culpeper has been quite busy since my last update. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the county has continued to carry on with land use business. Although there have been electronic and telephonic public comment submittal options, PEC believes localities should wait until the normal public process is restored prior to proceeding with non-essential decisions.