Sean Tubbs, Author at C-VILLE Weekly

Charlottesville pledges to restore new zoning code

The City of Charlottesville has stopped taking any applications for new development while officials figure out how to move forward after its zoning code was thrown out by Judge Claude Worrell on June 30 for a technical error. On July 1, the city’s Department of Neighborhood Development Services let builders and developers know that all […]

Sean Tubbs | July 4, 2025

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Judge throws out Charlottesville’s new zoning code after city fails to respond to order on time

After 18 months of legal procedures over the city’s new zoning code, Charlottesville Circuit Court Judge Claude Worrell has granted a default judgment throwing out the new rules. A group of Charlottesville property owners filed suit against the city in January 2024 arguing that it had not done enough to study the potential impacts additional […]

Sean Tubbs | July 2, 2025

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One West Main Street commercial establishment closes while another goes private

When Charlottesville City Council granted permission for three student apartment buildings to be constructed on West Main Street in the 2010s, the zoning rules at the time required that the ground floor have space for commercial establishments. Since then, several of the required spaces have remained vacant while other businesses have struggled to stay afloat. […]

Sean Tubbs | June 27, 2025

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Planning Commission will look at plans for five-story Seminole Trail apartment building

Charlottesville’s new development code is intended to encourage the construction of new places to live across the city. However, there are still a few remaining large-scale residential projects being reviewed under the old rules. For instance, plans are moving forward to build 267 units on U.S. 29 at the site of the Hibachi Grill under […]

Sean Tubbs | June 25, 2025

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UVA Health unveils concept plan for Oak Lawn

Since the University of Virginia purchased the Fifeville estate known as Oak Lawn in October 2023, officials have pledged to include the neighborhood in the discussion of how the 5.2-acre property will be used. A concept plan for the future of Oak Lawn was shared with members of the Fifeville neighborhood during a June 18 […]

Sean Tubbs | June 23, 2025

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Albemarle hopes to become Virginia’s ‘next innovation economy’

Albemarle County is in the fourth year of updating its Comprehensive Plan, a document intended to guide the future. But work on a new economic development strategic plan is happening much faster. “We’re not working on an economic development plan for a community that’s in decline,” said Steven Pedigo of Resonance, the firm hired […]

Sean Tubbs | June 18, 2025

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Preliminary plans filed for seven-story apartment building in Fifeville

Three apartment buildings marketed to University of Virginia students sprung up on West Main Street in the 2010s, taking advantage of a zoning code from 2003 that encouraged residential density along major corridors. On June 17, Charlottesville’s Board of Architectural Review had a first look at a proposal that would utilize a new zoning code […]

Sean Tubbs | June 18, 2025

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Albemarle County files site plan to grade land for Rivanna Futures

More than two years have passed since the Albemarle Board of Supervisors gave permission for staff to move forward with the biggest economic development project in county history. Supervisors agreed in May 2023 to proceed with the $58 million purchase of more than 462 acres of land around the Rivanna Station military base for a […]

Sean Tubbs | June 11, 2025

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CRHA gives City Council an update on recently purchased homes

The Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority has been on a roll in recent years with renovations at Crescent Halls and new units at S. First Street. In August 2022, the government agency began a new era of buying what Executive Director John Sales called “naturally occurring affordable housing.” “This portfolio started after a couple properties […]

Sean Tubbs | June 6, 2025

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UVA’s adjusting capital plan to reflect new funding environment

While not constrained by either Albemarle County or the City of Charlottesville, the University of Virginia is a public body governed by an appointed Board of Visitors. The group meets at the Boar’s Head Resort this week, and one item on the agenda is renewed scrutiny of future construction projects. “The first two quarters of […]

Sean Tubbs | June 4, 2025