Author: Jim

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Foothill Crossing Rezoning Hearing – 21 January

As noted on the Crozet Calendar,  there is going to be a community meeting about the rezoning hearing for the next phase of Foothill Crossing on 21 January at Crozet Library at 7pm. Based on the comments I’ve received, I suspect it should be well attended.

It looks like the big change is that the developer is seeking to add attached homes to the mix, a change from having only single family homes. More information here.

Disclosure: I’m a Realtor. I have a professional opinion about this. If you’re interested, ask me.

Dig into the project at Albemarle County’s great County View site; search for Application# SUB201400214, which reads (prior to this rezoning coming forth):

Continue reading “Foothill Crossing Rezoning Hearing – 21 January”

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What are Our Legislators Up To?

The Virginia General Assembly is nearly back in session. What are our legislators up to?

– What bills are they proposing?

– On which committees do they serve?

– Do they support or oppose legislation that matters to you?

Spend a few minutes checking out what Delegate Steven Landes and Senator Creigh Deeds are up to. Then call them. Email them. Look at who their major donors are* (Dominion’s PAC has given to both of them, for example).

While you’re checking this stuff out, have a look at the newest bills to be introduced in the General Assembly?

If you’re curious, these are the bills that I’m tracking.

 

* For fun, spend some time at VPAP digging into donor information.

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Appalachian Trail Angels Around Crozet?

I received this email a few weeks ago and thought it an interesting part of Crozet I’d never really thought about. I know we have remarkable access to hiking, and I know of AT through-hikers, but this email struck me.

“I am planning my AT-thru-hike for next year, probably starting in early May. … I will probably fly to Atanta first and then take an AMTRAK train to Charlottesville.

It seems pretty difficult to get from Charlottesville to Rockfish Gap, though. On the website of JAUNT I could see there is a regular shuttle between Charlottesville and Crozet, which would be helpful as it brings me closer to Rockfish Gap. Do you have any information how I could get form Crozet to Afton or even Roskfish Gap? Are there people in Crozet offering rides to that area?

I offered to give this person a ride, but was wondering … are there others in Crozet who offer this sort of assistance? Is there a site for connecting AT Angels to hikers?

I just received the confirmation from JAUNT that the first bus that leaves Charlottesville in the morning should arrive in Crozet no later than 10 am. Since they can drop you off where ever you need to, I guess I could get directly to any meeting point in Crozet indicated by you.

I think this will be fun.

Update 14 January … I received this email:

“It is written in my calendar: on April 6, I was going to contact you anyway to ask about the ride, or better said, to inform you about my current situation. I may take on a new job. In this case I sadly would have to postpone the hike for two or three years. It is not decided yet.
I let you know.
Whatever will happen, it feels good to see the helpfulness of so many American people. Thanks!”

 

 

 

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Jobs in Crozet?

The RFP (Request for Proposals) for the next life of the old Crozet Library/Train Depot has gone out, (as noted here in November) and the discussion about “what jobs/businesses does Crozet needs” has been refreshed.

I submit Robert Gutowski’s comment on the RealCrozetVA Facebook page as a starting place, once you’ve read (okay, skimmed) these stories: What should become of the old Crozet Library and Result of the “what should become of the Crozet Library poll and What Businesses should come to Crozet.

Real jobs, not just retail and restaurants. Young people graduate from WAHS or UVA, where can they work in town? Some apartments within walking distance of the Square, with the median housing price in Crozet being above $275K, where can a young WAHS or UVA graduate live in town even if there were employers? A town needs all these things to maintain its own identity, otherwise it becomes a mere bedroom community for Charlottesville.

(big) Questions:

  • Where should the jobs go?
  • What could/should Albemarle County do to encourage jobs coming to Crozet?
  • How much input is reasonable for the public to have beyond typical zoning, etc?
  • How to accommodate/counter NIMBYism?

 

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Looking Back at 2014 in Crozet

2014 – as seen through the RealCrozetVA lens:

A year of the Streetscape, the CCAC wielding its influence, (parts of) the Crozet real estate market stabilized/picked up, the Crozet Library solidified itself as a hub of the community, Old Trail continued to grow, the RealCrozetVA facebook and twitter thrived, and the Crozet community time and again demonstrated how Crozet is a great place to live.

– I’ve gone through the 180 posts on RealCrozetVA in 2014, and (painstakingly) some of the most-engaged RealCrozetVA facebook posts and picked what I thought were the most interesting/relevant posts.

– You can subscribe to RealCrozetVA by email, follow RealCrozetVA on Twitter, or like RealCrozetVA on Facebook. A note on Facebook – we tend to have very good conversations and interaction there, but I don’t post everything there that gets published here.

– I’m a Realtor who lives in and loves Crozet. In my ideal world, I’d never get off my bicycle to show houses or meet seller clients. (and I know this will likely never happen). I rarely explicitly say this, but if you’re moving to Crozet or thinking about selling your home, I’d appreciate the opportunity to talk with you.

What did I miss?

Thank you. Thank you everyone for being part of the Crozet community. I’d like to think this summary captures in a small way what a great place Crozet is to live.

January 2014

20140122-172706.jpg

Continue reading “Looking Back at 2014 in Crozet”

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17 December 2014 CCAC Meeting Recap

 

The 17 December 2014 CCAC meeting was a meeting where:

Click through, scroll to the bottom, and read all the tweets. Then comment, ask questions, come to the next meeting.

 

 

 

 

Continue reading “17 December 2014 CCAC Meeting Recap”

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Mexican restaurant opening this weekend in Old Trail

Via email:

“La Joya Mexican Restaurant is going to open THIS WEEKEND in the Old Trail Village Center. After taking over the space from Anna’s Italian Restaurant, the owners and crew have been working diligently to upgrade the space and have created a warm, cozy dining room. To start – the hours will be as follows:

Monday – Friday 10:30 AM – 9:30 PM
Saturday 10:30 AM – 10:30 PM
Sunday 11 AM – 9 PM

They will be open for business on FRIDAY at 10:30 AM.”

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CCAC Meeting – 17 December 2014

CCAC Meeting this Wednesday

CROZET COMMUNITY ADVISORY COUNCIL
The Crozet Library, Crozet
Wednesday, December 17, 2014 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Agenda
1. Agenda Review. (Meg Holden – CCAC chair)
2. Approval of Minutes.
3. Project Updates/Information:
– Questions for Milestone Partners about current state of downtown
development – Frank Stoner
– Update and questions about wind energy business – Rich Pleasants
– Crozet Artisans need to secure a new location in Crozet – Kathleen
Mistry
– Downtown Zoning Form Presentation – Tom Loach
– Clarification of Mission Statement – Bill Schrader
– Information sharing about meeting with County staff regarding
economic development and how CCAC can promote/ advocate for
businesses, new and existing.
– Discussion about various topics of focus that members would like to
take on as an area of focus.
– Dentist presenting to group about idea for the Moose Lodge.
4. Items not listed on the agenda.
5. Announcements.
6. Future Agenda Items.

 

  • I fear and sense that the CCAC is attempting to micromanage the redevelopment of the former Barnes Lumberyard. They’ve expressed their opinions – many, many times. Let’s give the developers time to present something.
  • I’m curious to hear the mission statement clarification discussion.