Ryan Adams’ delay at LaGuardia Airport assured that the county Planning Commission was the best show in town on Tuesday, July 10, complete with shouting and gavel pounding, accusations and innuendos.
 Developer Wendell Wood got a narrow vote of approval from the county Planning Commission in a cantankerous discussion of 15 acres he wants rezoned in order to lease for NGIC’s use. |
Wendell Wood of United Land Corporation, which owns acres galore along Route 29N, was asking for a rezoning of 15 acres of land directly adjacent to the National Ground Intelligence Center (NGIC) in northern Albemarle County (the land is distinct from the 30 acres Wood wants the county to move into the growth area, a subject of ongoing C-VILLE coverage). Three buildings would go on the land: two office buildings of 90,000 square feet each for research and development of subcontractors and a 120-unit apartment building to temporarily house personnel assigned to NGIC. It would be a way for Wood to generate ongoing revenue from NGIC’s planned expansion, which Wood facilitated by selling them 47 acres for $7 million, presumably below market value.
The problem is that the buildings are designed to meet federal anti-terrorism standards—meaning yawning parking lots between road and building—that contradict the county’s “neighborhood model” policy. And if the Feds end up not leasing the building, the rezoning would still be in place.
In the second hour, the meeting broke down:
Commissioner Bill Edgerton: “As far as planning is concerned, I’m not comfortable with what I see, and the applicant has said he’s not willing to work with us through the process to get it—“
Wendell Wood [rising and moving to podium]: “I did not state that, I—“
Chair Marcia Joseph [pounding gavel]: “Mr. Wood, Mr. Wood, you’re out of order! Mr. Wood, you’re out of order!”
Wood: “That’s fine. But I’m not going to stand here—
Joseph: “Mr. Wood!”
Wood: “—and let this man make a mischaracterization.”
Joseph: “Mr. Wood.”
Despite the animosity between Edgerton and Wood (who have a history of conflict over development), Wood got a recommendation of approval, in the end, by a 4-3 commission vote. But if the conditions stick, it may be a Pyrrhic victory. Part of the deal is that Wood would have to pay $1.3 million in cash proffers to help the county cover infrastructure costs for roads, libraries and emergency services.
“You just raised the price,” said Wood. “If you’re asking me, I assure you they’re receiving very favorable terms as it is. It’s not in the cards for me to just—I can’t get financing on the project if I agree to do that. If the tenant is willing to pay an increase…[trails off] It’s our government.” After a few minutes of pacing in frustration, Wood moved to the microphone and told the Commission to “take out” the apartments.
Yet Wood would not ask for a deferral, and the Commission could not legally defer. “I’m also under a time constraint that’s being placed…and it’s expiring.”
In a letter to county staff, Glenn Wait, NGIC’s installation manager, asked the county to act as soon as possible on the rezoning so that they can coordinate it with their own facility expansion. “Overall we believe the NGIC could benefit from” the proposal and that they had “no objection to the proposed rezoning.” Neither NGIC nor the U.S. Army could confirm by press time that they are interested in leasing the property.
The Board of Supervisors will have final say at an August 1 public hearing. Wood has since revised the proffers, which do not include any cash upfront. According to county staff, Wood will wait until the meeting to consider taking out the residential component.
Also: Check out C-VILLE’s past coverage on NGIC.
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