February was a successful month for the Board of Supervisors. We continue to work on job creation, smart growth, and other issues that affect you and your family. Below please find a quick wrap-up of the major decisions we made and other items of importance.

County-Wide Issues:

• The Board met in joint session with the Planning Commission this past Wednesday, at which time we received updates on the Thomas Jefferson Partnership for Economic Development’s (TJPED’s) Workforce Target Industry Study and the portions of our Economic Vitality Plan that coincide with the ongoing Comprehensive Plan update. The study identified a number of expanding fields and industries that Albemarle County is uniquely suited to attract, grow, and foster businesses in, and we have begun work on an action plan to just that.
• FEMA and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) are holding a town-hall meeting for those who believe they have damage from the August earthquake. It will be held Monday, February 13 at 7:00pm in Lane Auditorium at the Albemarle County Office Building. If you think you qualify for assistance in repairing the damage, come out and find out what your options are!
• We are still taking applicants for Board and Commission vacancies. Please find a list here. The more Scottsville District residents that apply to these Countywide Boards and Commissions, the more our voice will be heard in County processes. If you have questions about what it would entail or how I can help make the process easier for you, please let me know!

Scottsville District Issues:

• I have scheduled public meetings to solicit input on the master planning process for those neighborhoods and sections of the growth areas in our district that do not have a Community Advisory Council. At these meetings, I will have representatives of the planning staff present to listen to your thoughts, ideas, and concerns about the direction the planning process for your neighborhood is taking. Don’t like that there isn’t a bus route near your neighborhood? Have a thought on sidewalks or greenspace? Come on out! The first scheduled public hearing will be on Neighborhoods 4 and 5 (Mill Creek North and South, Avon, Lake Reynovia, etc. – every growth area portion of the Scottsville District except for Glenmore and the Village of Rivanna) and is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, February 23rd at 7:00pm at the Stultz Center at PVCC (501 College Drive, Charlottesville, VA 22902).
• As has been reported here (as well as here and here), the developer of the 5th/Avon St commercial retail development–first approved by the County back in 2008–has expressed interest in once again moving forward with the project. Negotiations between the developer, the County, and potential tenants are currently confidential and ongoing, but the collection tenants that we hope to attract could create over 1,000 jobs at this Scottsville District location, potentially provide millions of dollars in tax revenue, a connector road from 5th St to Avon St Ext, and give Scottsville District residents access to exciting new shopping opportunities that are brand new to the region and a perfect fit for our community. I’ll keep you updated with new information as it becomes available.
• At the February 8th evening board meeting, I made a motion that passed unanimously to accept a rezoning and special use permit that will lead to the construction of an assisted living facility adjacent to the Monticello Fire & Rescue station on Mill Creek Road. This state of the art facility will, once fully staffed, employ over 50 people in the health services sector and provide much needed job opportunities for the people of Southern Albemarle.
• Also at the February 8th meeting, I appointed real estate agent and Scottsville resident Kevin Quick to the Equalization Board, which is responsible for hearing all appeals and objections to real estate assessments from taxpayers.
• The County Executive will release his proposed budget for fiscal year 2013 on February 24th. Be on the lookout for my update on this and any major impacts it will have on the Scottsville District.
• Construction the US 250 Shadwell Bridge has begun as part of a VDOT improvement project. The VDOT Public Affairs Office is in contact with County Public Affairs Personnel to coordinate the expected May bridge closure. More announcements about this will be forthcoming, as it will have a serious effect on traffic patterns across the county.

Board meetings take place on the first Wednesday of each month at 9AM and the second Wednesday of each month at 6PM. If there is anything you would like to see the board take up or have a question about, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me. I am always happy to meet with you to discuss your ideas and concerns.