This is a must-listen and must-read story from Charlottesville Community Engagement.
- The CCAC meeting on 10 March 2021 was one of the worst CCAC meetings I’ve watched; what could be a productive dialogue, wasn’t.
- The Crozet Master Plan needs to evolve; keeping the principles from 2004 and 2010 is not recognizing that a lot has changed in nearly 20 years.
- Plans need to evolve.
Read and listen to the story here.
If you have feedback to share, either do it here, or email [email protected].
If you’re new to Crozet, or simply don’t pay attention, please take the time to listen to this, and then get involved somehow.
There’s a lot here, not the least how the County Staff were treated.
Also, read Allison Wrabel’s story in the Daily Progress.
A relevant reminder with respect to this is that the CCAC votes are guides, but are not actually part of the legislative process; the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors are that process.
“This is no longer the Crozet Master Plan; this is now the Planning Commission and staff master plan, because we voted against the middle density, and here we are back with it again,” (Tom Loach) said.
Some of the tweets from the meeting
What Crozet Stands to Gain (and Lose) as a Town
I read the whole email from Sean. I am so glad I wasn’t there. As an OT resident, I would have had some choice retorts to the individual with the beef about OT. I will just say: Tough; We’re here; Don’t like it? Move.
Sounds like I need to listen to the full meeting recording. The bottom line is that the CCAC has little real authority or major influence on county development policy. I know when I moved to this area over 6 years ago, I said many times to some committee members and many community leaders who attend regularly, that it was time to start the process of incorporating as a town.
I do believe those with real estate interests (Commerical and residential sales and development) have way to much influence with many CCAC members of the past… (Not sure about the present).
I appreciate the reporting from RealCrozerVA.com, but the fact the owner of this site benefits greatly from looser residential development restrictions, should not get lost in the “outrage” expressed. I did not attend the meeting, but I do temper any response to this situation thru that narrow lense, presented here.
I get the sense that the structure and charter of the CCAC has to change very soon. As far as how county employees are treated, I can’t speak to that until I listen to the whole meeting recording.
Listen to the full meeting. And yes, the CCAC’s influence is one of inertia and that they fill the vacuum that exists because of citizen complacency.
As evidence: Public silent so far on proposed Albemarle budget. Silent. On a $446M budget (myself included).
I challenge the “benefits greatly” bit; I’ve never not been transparent about my role as a realtor, but I’ve also lived in the Crozet area for 20 years, and have benefited some, and suffered some, from the growth.
– Sure there are more houses, but there are fewer relative bike lanes.
– I’d likely feel a tiny bit less comfortable riding bikes with my kids to school now than I did 10 years ago.
– The field at the end of my road will soon be a major road; my neighborhood used to be that field at the end of the road for the next neighborhood.
And I’ve written about growth challenges for many years. This story is from 2007.
This from 2016.
And yes, everyone should see everything through appropriate lenses.
Literally on the top right of this page, it says, “Question about Crozet or the Crozet real estate market? Call or text Jim Duncan – 434-242-7140”
Jim, I appreciate the service you provide to the Crozet community. I follow your posts regularly. However, my decision to purchase a home here 11 years ago was partially based on the 2010 Master Plan. Your opinion that “plans need to evolve” negate the very purpose of the Master Plan. The growth is diminishing the charm of Crozet. I am no longer enthralled to reside here.
Thanks, Leigh.
My opinion is that the Plan is not a decree from on high written in stone. One of the things that I go back to is that a lot has changed in 11 years.
– More people are working at home
– Amazon is everywhere
– Internet is now an absolute must-have for most people
– Cars and trucks are bigger
And more people live in Crozet.
The Master Plan is great, but it has to change with the times, and yes, the County needs to execute its end of the plan.
If we could stop time, and keep Crozet the way it was 11 years ago, or 30, or 50, I sure that there are plenty of people in those respective eras who would want to do just that? I have no doubt.
I don’t have a solution, but I think that to ignore the need for the plan to change with the times is harmful, as is not providing bike lanes and sidewalks so that walking is not considered a form of “alternate transportation.”
Is Crozet different than it was when we moved here about 20 years ago? Without a doubt. Would I like to have it just like that, but with the coffee shops and Library and businesses we have now? Yes to that, too.
But … the Plan is borne out by more than the CCAC, too. A lot of people want more stuff out here, and the opinions of those who moved here 30, 20, 10, 5, 1 year ago are all valid and need to be considered.
Does the song “Big Yellow Taxi” go through my mind frequently? Absolutely.