Former Bamboo House on U.S. 29 in north Albemarle up for sale

Albemarle County and the University of Virginia are both betting that properties on U.S. 29 north of Airport Road will yield an economic development bonanza.  Now a development company representing the owners of the now-closed Bamboo House restaurant at 4831 Seminole Trail are hoping to capitalize on investment in both the Rivanna Futures project and […]

Council upholds BAR’s decision to deny request to demolish historic house

An attorney for the owner of 1301 Wertland St. told Charlottesville City Council on September 2 that tearing down the structure for new apartments would outweigh any historic preservation goals.  “We believe the prevailing factors are the policies prioritized in the 2021 Comprehensive Plan and implemented through the [new zoning ordinance] to increase housing opportunities […]

Will Albemarle land an AstraZeneca pharmaceutical factory?

In July, officials with the British pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca announced they would be investing $50 billion in the United States for new factories and research centers. According to a press release, this would include a new “multi-billion dollar drug substance manufacturing centre focused on chronic diseases” to be located in Virginia.  However, no official announcement […]

PHAR resists West Main student housing

When Charlottesville City Council adopted a new zoning code in December 2023, a key idea was to reduce the role elected and appointed officials play in determining what can be built where. The idea was to improve certainty for developers.  Under those rules, the LV Collective has the right to build an 11-story building at […]

Judge reverses ruling that voided city’s zoning

Charlottesville is once again legally in the clear to implement a zoning code that was adopted in December 2023, and was intended to allow developers to build more places to live across the city. But legal clouds remain on the horizon.  In a written opinion published August 22, Circuit Court Judge Claude Worrell reversed a […]

Despite zoning uncertainty, development planning continues

On Friday, August 22, Charlottesville Circuit Court Judge Claude Worrell will issue a written opinion on whether he will reconsider a motion of default judgment that threw out the city’s zoning code. On August 13, he hinted he would not, but also gave the city’s attorneys a chance to explain what their defense would be […]

Orangedale residents want city to crack down on illegal fireworks

On the night of July 4, anyone living in the southern portion of Charlottesville’s Fifeville neighborhood was treated to several hours of fireworks. For years, different groups have set up launch points at Forest Hills Park and other key locations. The explosions were still continuing at around 11pm when gunfire broke out on Orangedale Avenue […]

Albemarle’s new economic development plan to get a vote in mid-August

Albemarle County is working on a new strategic plan to guide economic development efforts that will put a priority on defense, intelligence, and biotechnology businesses. This document is being put together at the same time as an update of the county’s Comprehensive Plan.  At a special meeting of the Economic Development Authority on July 22, […]