Albemarle County Planning Commission

April 29, 2008

The Albemarle County Planning Commission held a meeting and public hearing on Tuesday, April 29, 2008, at 6:00 p.m., at the County Office Building, Lane Auditorium, Second Floor, 401 McIntire Road, Charlottesville, Virginia.

Members attending were Marcia Joseph, Bill Edgerton, Eric Strucko, Thomas Loach, Linda Porterfield, Jon Cannon, Vice-Chairman and Calvin Morris, Chairman.  Ms. Joseph arrived at 6:03 p.m. Julia Monteith, AICP, non-voting representative for the University of Virginia was absent. 

Other officials present were Wayne Cilimberg, Planning Director; Glenn Brooks, County Engineer; Lisa Glass, Principal Planner; Judith Wiegand, Senior Planner; Susan Stimart, Business Development Facilitator; Juan Wade, Transportation Planner; Bill Fritz, Chief of Current Development; Patrick Lawrence, Planner and Greg Kamptner, Deputy County Attorney. 

Call to Order and Establish Quorum:

Mr. Morris called the regular meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. and established a quorum.

Economic Development (CPA)

An update to the Economic Development Policy - an element of the Comprehensive Plan

(David Benish/Susan Stimart)

In summary, the Planning Commission held a work session on the Economic Development Policy, 2007 Data Update.  Susan Stimart presented a power-point presentation and update of economic data to be utilized in future discussion and revision of the Economic Development Policy.  The Planning Commission held a discussion and provided comments and suggestions. No formal action was taken.  Public comment was taken.

• Brian Wheeler, of Charlottesville Tomorrow, asked staff to provide additional information on the history of the Light Industrial property in the county on the rezonings and comp plan amendments that have taken place.

The Planning Commission provided the following comments and suggestions in order to move forward in the next work session and develop strategies to bring forth solutions for the proposed strategies:

• The Light Industrial definition needs to be looked at very hard to determine possible conflicts and why it is being used for other types of uses.

• Several Commissioners suggested that in #1, Increasing LI land for local business expansion should add “in the development area.”  (One Commissioner disagreed that potential areas for LI should be limited to only development areas.  The Commissioner suggested that consideration be given to areas abutting development areas and/or areas with good vehicular access from various parts of the county.) 

•  (One Commissioner disagreed that it should not be limited to the development area.)

• The users of Light Industrial land are not able to pay the high cost of LI land.  

• Staff was asked to come back and talk about the current demand and how it could be accommodated in the growth area and how it matches up for further discussion.  Also, antidotal information on who is coming in and contacting staff would be helpful.

            Old Business:

Mr. Morris asked if there was any old business.

The Commission asked that staff provide information and clarify the question raised by Mr. Edgerton about the building site designation on the Bonner plat reviewed last week.  The question was raised concerning the interpretation of the building site in that there is not enough area demonstrated for the 30,000 square feet required.  There was some interest expressed in pursuing a zoning text amendment due to the concern that easements for the benefit for adjacent property owners could have a significant impact on the availability of land for development of the building site.

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