RealCrozetVA

10/28/2025

https://www.realcrozetva.com/2025/10/28/resources-for-food-insecurity-in-crozet-and-central-virginia/

Let's help each other out.

We are in times where looking out for and helping each other is more important than ever. Two Crozet-specific resources Crozet Cares Closet – “We are committed to ensuring no one in our…

10/26/2025

One of my rules is that when I have the opportunity to stop and get lemonade I do. When I have the opportunity to stop and get lemonade *and* flowers for my wife, I absolutely stop, buy some, and take them home.

Plus, a few pictures from this morning‘s ride on the incredible Skyline Drive.

we do get to live in a pretty amazing place

10/24/2025

What's on my mind? SNAP.

Crozet - what Crozet specific resources do we have?

Check on your/our neighbors please.

From County of Albemarle:

has declared a state of emergency to provide emergency hunger relief for Virginians. The State of Emergency allows the Governor to expend emergency funds under sum sufficient authority to protect the health, welfare, and safety of Virginians. Learn more at www.governor.virginia.gov/newsroom/news-releases/

Once further guidance is made available by VDSS, we will provide updates to our community.

Original post, 10/22/25

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has notified states that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for November may be delayed or unavailable due to the ongoing federal government shutdown. This is a nationwide issue affecting all SNAP households.

Albemarle County understands how important these benefits are for many families in our community. While we do not control the timing of federal benefit funding, we are committed to sharing information and resources with our residents and would like to share the information we have available at this time. As new updates come in, we will post them on our website at Albemarle.org/CommunityUpdates.

✔️ What Albemarle SNAP Recipients Can Do

- Stretch remaining SNAP funds by prioritizing essential, non-perishable foods and checking local grocery stores for sales.
- Stay informed. We’ll continue to post updates at Albemarle.org/CommunityUpdates as information becomes available from the USDA and VDSS.
- Know where to turn for help. Call 211 or visit 211virginia.org to find nearby food pantries and assistance programs.

✔️ What Community Members Can Do To Help

With over 3,000 households potentially facing impacts from this delay, many Albemarle County residents are likely wondering how they can help. Here are a few ways to make a difference:
- Donate to local food banks. Every donation to the area food banks helps provide meals for families here in our community.
- Volunteer. Local pantries and food programs rely on volunteers to sort, pack, and distribute food.
- Check on your neighbors. If you know someone who relies on SNAP benefits, a simple check-in or shared meal can go a long way.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DQHpm01gHI0/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Governor Glenn Youngkin has declared a state of emergency to provide emergency hunger relief for Virginians. The State of Emergency allows the Governor to expend emergency funds under sum sufficient authority to protect the health, welfare, and safety of Virginians.  Once further guidance is made a...

10/22/2025

From County of Albemarle:

Potential Impacts to November SNAP Benefits

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has notified states that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for November may be delayed or unavailable due to the ongoing federal government shutdown. This is a nationwide issue affecting all SNAP households.

Albemarle County understands how important these benefits are for many families in our community. While we do not control the timing of federal benefit funding, we are committed to sharing information and resources with our residents and would like to share the information we have available at this time. As new updates come in, we will post them on our website at Albemarle.org/CommunityUpdates.


What to Know

Federal SNAP funding requires congressional approval.
The USDA has instructed states not to submit November benefit files until further notice.
If the shutdown ends by the end of the month, November benefits may only be slightly delayed. If it continues, no state can guarantee when or if November benefits will be issued.
Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) has been working closely with state and federal partners to assess all options, understand potential impacts, and develop plans to minimize disruptions.



What Albemarle SNAP Recipients Can Do

Use current benefits wisely.
Stretch remaining SNAP funds by prioritizing essential, non-perishable foods and checking local grocery stores for sales.
If you use Virginia Fresh Match, you can double your dollars on fresh fruits and vegetables at participating markets. Find locations at virginiafreshmatch.org/locate.
Stay informed.
We’ll continue to post updates at Albemarle.org/CommunityUpdates as information becomes available from the USDA and VDSS.
Know where to turn for help.
Virginia 211 – Call 211 or visit 211virginia.org to find nearby food pantries and assistance programs.
Blue Ridge Area Food Bank – brafb.org/find-food
Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry – cvilleloaves.org
Emergency Food Network - emergencyfoodnetwork.org
We’ve also compiled a list of local community resources here.



What Community Members Can Do To Help

With over 3,000 households potentially facing impacts from this delay, many Albemarle County residents are likely wondering how they can help. Here are a few ways to make a difference:


Donate to local food banks. Every donation to the area food banks helps provide meals for families here in our community.
Volunteer. Local pantries and food programs rely on volunteers to sort, pack, and distribute food.
Check on your neighbors. If you know someone who relies on SNAP benefits, a simple check-in or shared meal can go a long way.

Need food? Locate free groceries, mobile pantries, and SNAP help across central and western Virginia. Find food near you today.

10/22/2025

I'd much rather advocate for getting rid of Citizens United in politics than pick and choose who should or should not be allowed to fund candidates.

Who should be the arbiter of who is allowed to contribute?

I'm fascinated by the out-of-state contributions, too.

"Crozet United asked the candidates for the Samuel Miller District seat whether Supervisors should accept campaign donations from those with real estate and development interests, given that one of their most important roles is to impartially judge matters that will affect those investments, including zoning ordinances, environmental protections, and zoning map amendments. "

https://www.crozetunited.com/p/samuel-miller-district-bos-race-candidate-fundraising

We need housing, and infrastructure.

Also, here's a link to VPAP.

https://www.vpap.org/localities/albemarle-county-va/elections/

* Yes, I'm a realtor, and no I don't give to RPAC, the realtor political action committee. Yes, I *have* given money to VPAP, because they do tremendous work.

Personally, I would much rather the candidates be capped at $10K per campaign, or some other arbitrary - and low - amount, and the remainder be given to food banks or some other such community cause. Oh, I give to the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank throughout the year.

Darn it, this is going to be a blog post.

10/16/2025

No Eastern Connector?

Click through to read the whole thing.

"The Gazette has learned that the county’s attempt to establish a public-private partnership to fund and build Crozet’s Eastern Avenue bridge/connector will be closed with no award, as no bidders submitted a successful proposal for the project. Interim Deputy Director Blake Abplanalp of the county’s Facilities & Environmental Services department responded to the Gazette’s request for an update on the project as follows:

“Albemarle County received one Technical Proposal for the project on September 16, 2025, from Riverbend Development. The proposal was reviewed and found to meet all requirements. Riverbend was notified that its Technical Proposal had passed and was reminded that the Financial Proposal was due by October 7, which was originally September 11 but was extended twice. "

From The Crozet Gazette

Town Hall No Public-Private Partnership Found for Eastern Avenue Connection By Lisa Martin - October 15, 2025 0 19 The Eastern Avenue road/bridge connector is shown by the dashed line extending from Westhall Drive to Rt. 250. Photo: Albemarle County. The Gazette has learned that the county’s attem...

10/09/2025

Before the Crozet Arts & Crafts Festival this weekend.

10/08/2025

A quick snippet from my mostly-real estate-focused monthly note:

In a world where facts and data are under attack, the data we have responsibility for is even more important and valuable. Good complete data builds trust. Simple.
..

Short: inventory is rising and well below long-term averages, median sold price is flat to a little bit up YoY, and homes that are well priced and very well presented are moving quickly.

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Sellers - if you’re thinking about selling in 2026, please reach out. Now is the time to prioritize projects. Buyers don’t want and aren’t willing to do work on the homes they purchase, and they now have choices and don’t have to settle.

You’re likely going to have to do a bit more prep work to get your house ready for the market. I can help you.

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October 2025 | Jim's Note -- Happy October — cooler air, falling leaves, Charlottesville real estate market questions — plus a few ideas on housing, cities, and legacy.

10/07/2025

Please click through and read the whole thing.

https://communityengagement.substack.com/i/175561786/windy-knoll-development-in-crozet-returns-with-fewer-units

"Crozet has been one of Albemarle’s designated growth areas for over 40 years but much of the underlying zoning is such that developers have to seek adjustments to proceed with development.

In May, Shimp Engineering filed plans for a rezoning of 3.15 acres next to the Cory Farm development The request for the Windy Knoll development was to change the land from Residential-1 to Residential-10 to allow for construction of 22 townhome units.

That resulted in a density calculation of 7 units per acre, slightly higher than what the “neighborhood density residential” in the Crozet Master Plan would allow. After staff recommended the rezoning be for Residential-6, the applicants asked for a deferral to rework the project.

Now Shimp Engineering has returned with an application for Windy Knoll that does just that for a total of 18 units."

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If you're not reading - and hopefully paying to support - Charlottesville Community Engagement - please consider doing so.

I renew my offer to anyone who wants a subscription (max 2) who commits to reading it, I'll gift you a subscription.

Plus: Charlottesville City Manager has hired an assistant

10/05/2025

Wait, what? re: the BP in downtown Crozet:

"To revise the exterior of the building by painting it black and adding Nichiha panels on a portion of the side elevation."

Lots to dig into thanks to Charlottesville Community Engagement.

https://communityengagement.substack.com/i/175376635/albemarle-arb-to-review-proposed-amendments-to-rio-form-based-code

From the Albemarle County Staff report, page 8:

"SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS

Staff recommends the following as the primary points of discussion:

1. Painting the building black
2. Adding Nichiha panels to the building

Staff recommends approval of the proposal with the following changes:
1. 2. Revise the proposal to include no painting of the brick walls.
Revise the proposal to eliminate the Nichiha panels. If the panels are meant as a backer for a wall sign, include the panels in a sign design
submitted in a separate sign application.
3. Confirm on the drawings that the proposal includes no work that will result in mechanical equipment visible from the Entrance Corridor street.
4. Add the standard mechanical equipment note to the plans: “Visibility of all mechanical equipment from the Entrance Corridor shall be
eliminated.”
5. Revise the drawing set to show no proposed changes to the existing fuel pump canopy fixtures."

Bonus points to commenters who read the primary sources before commenting. :)

10/03/2025

Just looking at how some of our tax dollars are being spent on so many infrastructure projects in White Hall (and all of Albemarle County)

Eastern Avenue
The Square
Library Avenue Extension
Mint Springs Dam
Sugar Hollow Trailhead

Lots of money being appropriated in the White Hall District. Infrastructure improvements are good (even if some of us may occasionally disagree with implementation). Crozet/White Hall are not islan…