The Charlottesville City Council voted Monday to fully fund requests for two affordable housing projects but also agreed to partially fund two other projects that had not been recommended by staff for funding. “We usually have $4 million to $6 million in surplus at the end of every year,” said Councilor Kathy Galvin. “I want […]
Category: Our neighborhoods
We cover the physical landscapes of Charlottesville and surrounding counties and how things change. We help you understand how history has shaped our city, and how our choices today will affect the future.
Posted inOur neighborhoods
As West Main Street grows, so do safety concerns
As new buildings bring more people to Charlottesville’s West Main Street, one man wants city officials to do more to make the road a safe place for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers during construction and beyond. “The city doesn’t really seem to understand how to make the city genuinely more pedestrian-friendly and that’s by influencing the […]
Posted inOur neighborhoods
New proffer law creates uncertainties for developers, localities
A new law recently enacted by the Virginia General Assembly, which goes into effect July 1, 2016, will dramatically change the way cities and counties address re-zonings for residential projects. The law, known as Senate Bill 549, was signed by Governor McAuliffe in March. It restricts both the subject matter and manner in which localities […]
Posted inOur neighborhoods, Work/Life
Nine-story office complex with parking planned for Second Street
Developer Jay Blanton has announced plans for a 120,000-square-foot building at 323 Second St. SE, with five stories of office space over a four-story parking structure. Located just south of the Downtown Mall, the site includes Oliver Kuttner’s Glass Building and sits near his just-completed Treehouse building. Kuttner previously attempted to develop the site as […]
Posted inGovernment and public institutions, Our neighborhoods
Rose Hill residents speak out against Booker Street rezoning
The Charlottesville Planning Commission heard a litany of voices Tuesday urging denial of a rezoning that would allow a three-story structure at 624 Booker St. to operate as a three-unit apartment building. “The integrity of the building that has already been built on Booker Street does not reflect the community at all,” said Pastor George […]
Posted inOur neighborhoods
Kuttner seeks to build small apartments in downtown complex
The Charlottesville Planning Commission has indicated they like the general direction that developer Oliver Kuttner has in mind for an apartment complex and commercial center at the corner of 2nd Street SE and Garrett Street. “They are aiming for a product that is not really in the downtown area,” said city planner Brian Haluska. The […]
Posted inGovernment and public institutions
Do you support downzoning in the Fry’s Spring neighborhood?
The Fry’s Spring Neighborhood Association’s request to downzone parts of that community came before the Charlottesville Planning Commission last Tuesday – and got shot down. The Planning Commission voted 3-1 to recommend that City Council deny the rezoning. According to Missy Creasy, the city’s planning manager, the proposed amendment would rezone 356 parcels in the area. […]
Posted inGovernment and public institutions
Planning Commission recommends denying Fry’s Spring downzoning
After more than a decade, the Fry’s Spring Neighborhood Association’s request to downzone parts of that community had a public hearing before the Charlottesville Planning Commission on Tuesday — and got shot down. “We have been trying to keep this debate in the public for many years and we’re grateful to have this opportunity,” said […]
Posted inGovernment and public institutions
Council approves study to rezone parts of Fry’s Spring neighborhood
The Charlottesville City Council has agreed to consider a request from the Fry’s Spring Neighborhood Association to study rezoning of three streets. “Essentially, they are asking for the properties on Stribling, Crestmont and Shamrock to be downzoned,” said Jim Tolbert, director of the city’s Neighborhood Development Services. Specifically, the neighborhood association has been asking for […]
Posted inOur neighborhoods
Residents seek ‘completion’ of E. High for safety, development
As Charlottesville develops a new bike and pedestrian plan, some residents who live off East High Street near the Rivanna River want planners to address obstacles to non-motorized access to the rest of the city. Jessie Chapman’s home on Hazel Street in eastern Charlottesville is less than a mile away from restaurants in Belmont or […]
