RealCrozetVA

06/06/2025

Eastern Avenue moving forward? Slowly.

Please click through and read the whole thing

"One of the dilemmas faced by Albemarle County is a growing population and limited transportation funding to build all of the infrastructure called for in growth area policies.

One of the key components of the Crozet Master Plan is a roadway called Eastern Avenue which is intended to serve as another way for people to travel north and south. Cost estimates increased sharply in the summer of 2023, pushing ahead the timeline for the project.

Last year, Supervisors agreed to let county staff pursue the project through a public private partnership which might have the effect of bringing down the cost to the local government. A draft version of the request for proposals was distributed in April and was officially put out for bid on May 30."

Plus: The owner of 1301 Wertland Street appeals to Charlottesville City Council to allow demolition of historic house

06/06/2025

The surest sign that the roundabout construction is ready to start.

also, saved a turtle, saw some deer, enjoyed the life around .

05/31/2025

Oh, that’s why it smells like smoke.

05/27/2025

I mean, someone has to pay for stuff.

Great reporting from the Emily Hemphill at the Daily Progress.

"The new budget’s biggest takeaway is the 4-cent increase per $100 valuation to the real estate tax rate. The county’s personal property tax rate, largely a tax on vehicle ownership, was also raised by 0.32 cents to reach $4.28 per $100 of assessed value, an adjustment that restores the rate to pre-pandemic levels.

As for the revenue brought in by the tax hike, those funds will be dispersed among three key priorities: emergency services, education and affordable housing.

Most of that money — 3.2 cents per $100, or roughly $9.9 million — will cover the salaries of 57 firefighters, who were formerly supported by $12.7 million in grant money from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency. Six new law enforcement officers will also be added to the Albemarle County Police Department to answer the roughly 75,000 annual calls for service from across the county’s 726 square miles.

“This would be the highest number of police officers that we’ve added to the police department since fiscal year ‘16,” Albemarle County Executive Jeff Richardson told the Board of Supervisors on May 7. “These six officers will go two more officers per shift, and what we will see [is] improved response times, we will see second officer response times also reduced, and we will see the distance being closed between response areas.”

Of the remaining revenue, around $1.2 million, or 0.4 cents per $100, is allocated to the county school division and another $1.2 million is committed to the county’s Affordable Housing Investment Fund.

“The state has backed away, over the course of time, from funding for public schools,” said Richardson, who added that the county government now covers more than 70% of the local school division’s budget.

The 2026 county budget includes a $14.3 million increase in funding to Albemarle County Public Schools’ nearly $270 million budget.

This additional financial support may offset any future funding cuts that come from the White House. President Donald Trump targeted educational institutions of all levels, threatening to pull federal funding from those that do not follow his executive orders — particularly those that have spoken out against him, as officials in Albemarle County have."

Albemarle County has approved its first real estate tax hike in six years. The revenues will help cover emergency services, education and affordable housing.

05/27/2025

Imagining if they undergrounded utilities.

Nice morning light on the old cold storage.

05/24/2025

FFS.

https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/news/2025-news-releases/virginia-health-officials-confirm-second-2025-measles-case-in-the-state/

“Listed below are the dates, times, and locations of potential exposure sites in Virginia:

- Charlottesville Albemarle Airport on Tuesday, May 20 between 2:15 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
- Play it Again Sports, located at 1885 Seminole Trail in Charlottesville on Tuesday, May 20 from 2:40 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- Goodwill Store and Donation Center, located at 440 Gander Drive in Charlottesville on Tuesday, May 20 from 3:10 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- UVA Health Primary Care Riverside, located at 2335 Seminole Lane, Suite 200 in Charlottesville on Thursday, May 22 from 2 p.m. to 7:10 p.m.
- UVA Health University Medical Center Emergency Department, located at 1215 Lee St. in Charlottesville on Friday, May 23 from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.”

Just get vaccinated.

Virginia Health Officials Confirm Second 2025 Measles Case in the State FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – May 23, 2025 Media Contact: Brookie Crawford, [email protected] Virginia Health Officials Confirm Second 2025 Measles Case in the State Virginia Department of Health is Working to Identi...

05/23/2025

I'll be skimming this 92 page study from the Weldon Cooper Center about the cost of growth in Albemarle County.

"Albemarle County is a predominantly rural county with a large urban population— approximately 60 percent of its population resides in urban blocks according to the 2020 U.S. Census. It is one of five localities that form the Charlotteville metropolitan area in the Piedmont region of Virginia. The county’s population was 112,305 in 2020, which is up 34.6 percent from 83,460 in 2000. It is projected to grow an additional 25.1 percent by 2050 according to the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service (see Figure 1.1). These previous and projected growth rates are substantially higher than for the Commonwealth of Virginia (22.1 percent and 15.4 percent respectively)."

https://www.29news.com/2025/05/21/albemarle-county-study-reveals-residential-growth-comes-cost/

05/21/2025

Every month, I write a note to people who subscribe. This is one of the segments this month.

https://realcentralva.substack.com/i/161119803/what-is-it-like-to-live-here

05/20/2025

Hooray for the roundabout construction starting.

https://www.realcrozetva.com/2025/05/20/the-roundabout-is-coming-the-roundabout-is-coming/

CULPEPER – On Monday, May 19 a contractor for the Virginia Department of Transportation began construction of the long-awaited roundabout at the intersection of U.S. 250 (Rockfish Gap Turnpike), Route 240 (Three Notched Road) and Route 680 (Browns Gap Turnpike). The roundabout will improve traffic safety and more efficiently move traffic through the busy Albemarle County intersection...

Allowable lane closure hours are from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for the project. Motorists traveling through the construction area at night should reduce their speed and be particularly alert for workers and equipment near the open travel lanes.

05/15/2025

I called that a successful opening night for the three notch trail campaign.

05/15/2025

GoFundMe for Jordan Sims.

From the GoFundMe page -

"This week, our tight-knit Crozet community was shaken to its core by the devastating floods that swept through our area. Among the heartbreaking losses, we mourn the passing of 12-year-old Jordan Sims – a vibrant, joyful soul who was taken far too soon.

Jordan wasn’t just a kid; he was the kid who lit up every room he walked into. With an infectious laugh, boundless energy, and a heart that always made space for others, Jordan made friends wherever he went. Whether he was climbing trees, making up silly games with his cousins, or racing his bike down the street with that fearless grin of his, he lived every moment with passion and playfulness.

He loved the outdoors – muddy shoes, scraped knees, and all.

Jordan’s favorite meal was his Grandma’s chicken and dumplings, and he always asked for seconds. Lately, he had surprised everyone by discovering a new favorite: asparagus – as long as it came with copious amounts of Parmesan. His quirky tastes, like everything else about him, brought joy and laughter to those around him.

Jordan is survived by his loving grandmother (mawmaw), Virginia Ann Lamb, who is also the beneficiary of this fundraiser. He is also survived by his devoted older sister, 2 younger brothers, as well as a large and close-knit family of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends who adored him deeply and are now left with an unfillable hole in their hearts.

As we grieve this unimaginable loss, we are also coming together to support the Sims family during this incredibly difficult time. This GoFundMe has been created to help cover immediate expenses—funeral costs, time away from work, and the many other unexpected burdens that come with sudden tragedy. We hope this small gesture of love can help ease a fraction of the pain they’re facing.

But more than anything, we ask you to help us remember Jordan. Share a story if you knew him. Say his name. Laugh out loud at something silly today, because he would’ve loved that.

Thank you for honoring this beautiful boy who left a lasting mark in just 12 short years. Let’s lift his family with love, light, and support as they navigate the difficult road ahead.

With gratitude and heavy hearts"

This week, our tight-knit Crozet community was shaken to its core by the devastating floods that swe… amy moore needs your support for In honor of Jordan Sims

05/12/2025

CCAC on Wednesday at 7pm and Three Notch'd Trail kickoff on Thursday.

Plus: There’s a community meeting Thursday for a rezoning to add 165 more units at the Attain on 5th development