Decision deferred on Belvedere proposal to add 128 more units

As one of her first acts in office, Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed an executive order to create a task force to recommend ways to reduce barriers to building houses. “Slow permitting, outdated zoning, labor shortages, and paper-based processes are driving up costs and delaying housing across the Commonwealth,” reads the order to create the Commission […]

Albemarle Supervisors approve permit allowing floodplain fill-in

T he developer of a future industrial building in the Woolen Mills neighborhood has succeeded in a second attempt to convince the Albemarle Board of Supervisors to allow land to be elevated out of the floodplain.  Last June, the six-member BOS deadlocked on a request from Elemental Ecotech to fill in the floodplain. A tie […]

Charlottesville’s economic development director addresses AI-powered parking 

The company that now operates both municipal downtown parking garages only collects data in order to make it easier for vehicles to get in and out, Charlottesville’s economic development director told City Council on January 5.  “The system involves a camera, optical character recognition, and/or license plate recognition to start and end a parking session,” […]

Design panel votes against permit required for planned student housing

In yet another test of the city’s new zoning code, the Charlottesville Board of Architectural Review has denied a necessary permit required for the current design of an apartment complex. The December 16 vote against the certificate of appropriateness was 6 to 1. On December 31, an attorney for developer LCD Acquisitions filed for an […]

Planning commission recommends approval of rezoning

The Albemarle County Planning Commission has recommended approval of a rezoning that would allow a mixed-use development with 600 homes on 62.5 acres of land close to the junction of U.S. 29 and Interstate 64.  In September, members of the appointed body thought the plan was too vague with a proposed minimum of 100 units […]

City using AI-powered license plate readers to charge for garage parking

Those who use public parking garages in downtown Charlottesville experienced big changes December 16 when the city moved to a system where access is controlled by new software.  “With the new system, residents and visitors will be able to enjoy an easy experience where their vehicle becomes their parking pass,” reads a press release sent […]