This week, community members have the chance to attend two meetings about a seven-story apartment building that the city has approved for Charlottesville’s Fifeville neighborhood. Both meetings are open to the public, and anyone can attend.

On Monday, June 22 at 6:30 p.m., Fifeville residents will gather at First Baptist Church to discuss their yearlong opposition to the building, which is called The Mark. The building will be marketed to UVA students, and is classified “student housing” in the city’s zoning ordinance. That means that the apartments will be rented by the room and are within a half-mile of UVA grounds. 

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Because it will be student housing, The Mark is not required to make any of the units affordable. Instead, it will make a contribution of more than $4 million to the city’s Affordable Housing Fund, as required by the city’s inclusionary zoning policy.

Residents say that the building, which stands to draw more than 700 UVA students into the neighborhood, is not what they envisioned when they worked with the city to create the Cherry Avenue Small Area Plan, an official city planning document adopted by City Council in 2021.

Initially, the city’s Board of Architectural Review denied a certificate of appropriateness for The Mark, saying the building’s design was not consistent with the character of the neighborhood. The developer appealed to City Council. In a 3-2 vote in May, Council overturned the BAR’s decision, meaning the developer can proceed with the project.

The developer filed an updated site plan in May, according to a report from Charlottesville Community Engagement, so the developer can proceed to working with city staff on next steps, including a development review and plan approval. (Read more about the development requirements and processes on the city website.) 

As the project moves forward, a second meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 24 at 6 p.m. in the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center auditorium that will include the building’s developer, Landmark Properties. It is the same company that built The Standard, now called the Yugo Crestline, on West Main St. in the 10th and Page neighborhood.

Previously, some city officials promised to push developers to work with neighborhoods on development projects via community benefits agreements.

Take action

Learn more and provide your input on proposed student housing in Fifeville

The Mark, a seven-story student housing apartment building, is planned for Charlottesville’s Fifeville neighborhood. Community members can learn more and share opinions in two community meetings this week:

  • Community-led information session: Monday, June 22, 6:30 p.m., First Baptist Church, 632 W. Main St., Charlottesville
  • Meeting with the developer: Wednesday, June 24, 6 p.m., Jefferson School African American Heritage Center Auditorium, 233 4th St. NW, Charlottesville

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