To review read We Asked VDOT - February 23, 2023 post
What Help Is There For Rt. 250?
With more development on the horizon in the Village of Rivanna, we have to face some hard facts. Rt. 250 is most likely to only get worse as time goes on.
When Will More Development Happen?
History indicates when interest rates come down, economic and market conditions improve. Any time the Supervisors continue to receive pressure to provide affordable housing. Even with current economic conditions, our real estate market remains strong.
Cincinnati.com from Realtor.com
How Much New Construction Can We Expect?
Phase 2 of Rivanna Village is under way and is approved for 131 units - a mixture of single family and attached residences!
Breezy Hill will follow shortly and is approved for 80 single family homes!
It Could Get A Lot Worse
The County is under pressure to provide affordable housing . . .
US Department of Housing and Urban Development
Presently Rivanna Village is approved for a number of units less than that which is the zoning ordinance allows.
Recently, developers asked to change the configuration in Phase II of Rivanna Village to allow more multi-family dwellings and less single family dwellings. They were told that this would require a new Zoning Modification Application to be submitted.
The County’s latest focus is providing more density using current trends of “Missing Middle” housing. Where We Live #2
Missing Middle housing definition - Wikipedia
“Multi-family or clustered housing that is intended to serve changing demographics and provide housing at different price points. The term ‘missing middle’ is meant to describe housing types that were common before WWII such as duplexes, row homes, and courtyard apartments but are now less common and, therefore, “missing.” Wikipedia
Developers may submit Zoning Modification Applications to increase density at any time.
Supervisors vote on these Zoning Modification Applications.
A Sobering Reality . . .
Approximately 100 acres, in tracts of varying sizes containing single family homes belong individually, to 12 owners along Rt. 250. They currently are within the Village of Rivanna growth area. These homes, and homes in the Running Deer neighborhood were built prior to the Village of Rivanna being established. It is reasonable to assume, that at some point, they will eventually go on the open market.
It doesn’t take a lot of speculation to know who the buyers will be. That’s right, Developers!
What Can We Do?
First, and most importantly, we need to identify a candidate who lives in the Village of Rivanna to run for Scottsville District Supervisor to replace Donna Price when her term ends in January 2024.
Then, we need to become a force in numbers.
Our Village of Rivanna Master Plan is due for revision once updates to the Comprehensive Plan, Albemarle County 2024 (AC44) currently in progress, are completed.
We need to act as a community to urge a moratorium on future development approvals in the Village of Rivanna until Rt. 250 can be improved.
Residents east of our area, Lake Monticello, Zions Crossroads, are also impacted by development decisions for the Village of Rivanna. Think about sharing this newsletter with them and ask them to subscribe.
Help Us Now
In a recent discussion at our Zoom meeting, we realized that most of us have been doing this work for over 15 years with only a couple additions to the group. Frankly, we are aging out, and if no one steps up to join us, how will you get such information? We have just about 1,000 followers now. We get listened to as a mass of people. We get paid attention to. We get meetings with 6 VDOT department heads. We get meetings with media. We get results favorable to preserving our rural character. Consider if you are ready to get more engaged, and join us. The more people, the less the load. If not you, can you think of someone who can, and suggest that they at least join one of our meetings to learn more about helping out? Even a little help is welcome.
We are organizing a community meeting to discuss concerns identified in this newsletter.
Proposed Meeting Agenda -
1. Brief history of development in the Village to the present.
2. Describe purpose of our group, Village of Rivanna Citizens Action Group (VORCAG).
3. Identify concerns for the future and urgency for greater community participation.
4. Audience questions, comments.
Participation beyond our six member group is necessary so that we are prepared when future proposed actions such as more intense zoning are proposed.
Please fill out the following brief poll