April Adult Events at Crozet Library

So much cool stuff at Crozet Library. The sheer volume of cool and interesting things the Library offers is astonishing.

via email –

We have some great programs lined up for you this April – tomorrow come stretch out with Essentrics at 10am. Don’t forget that you can now register for programs online or register over the phone (+14348234050 )! Next Monday, we’ll have Richard Leahy discussing his book Beyond Jefferson’s Vines, so come learn about Virginia wine-making while you snack on a cheese spread and sparkling drinks.


Age Reversing Essentrics: Stretch & Tone

Continue reading “April Adult Events at Crozet Library”

CCAC Recap – March 2018

Another interesting meeting. Really. I’m using a new tool, wakelet, to aggregate the tweets. It’s not as user-friendly, but it’s what I have.

  • They’re still talking about the wireless tower that might be coming to WAHS
  • CCAC invited school board members to meeting previously, and none came?
  • Master Plan discussion
    • Redevelopment will be coming
    • Centurylink & Comcast are expanding service; I heard them mention Greenwood
    • One audience member called out the CCAC – said they’ve talked for 3 meetings about all the good data they have, but haven’t done anything.
    • I never hear anyone propose how to pay for things.
    • Discussion about the trails (more focus & energy need to be put on the trails; they are an exceptional part of Crozet – and since no roads or bike lanes are going to be built, the trails need to be more of an essential part of infrastructure.
      • Why, why, why, is the connection from Cory Farm to the downtown Crozet side not in place?
    • Freddy Wineberg from Foxchase rose to advocate for more infrastructure, that’s not solely automobile centric. (paraphrasing – “we are a lesser community if we a building where we have to get in cars.“)

Continue reading “CCAC Recap – March 2018”

Apartments Coming to Old Trail

from the Old Trail developer: (remember – they told us about this years ago)

We are providing follow up information on the work being done along Old Trail Drive at the School Trail area. We have completed the utility work and are continuing with the pond conversion so we kindly ask that folks use the Trail detours and respect the signage and fencing. We apologize for this inconvenience and expect the work to be finished on this west side in another 60 days.

There has been some discussion of a luxury apartment project coming to Old Trail and we are pleased to officially announce this new project coming to the area along the West side of Old Trail Drive from the Golf Drive/Old Trail Drive Roundabout south to the trail connector across the pond work. We will provide more information about this at our next Neighborhood meeting on April 25th in Restoration Hall but the work for this project could begin within the next two weeks.

Lastly, we are also pleased to announce that our Commercial Development will be expanding for a Retail / Apartment project on the open lot on the North East corner of Old Trail Drive and Ashlar. As we continue to grow, we realize this may create limited access into the Townhome parking lot off Ashlar. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and recommend using the Mornington Place access to these homes.

We realize the inconvenience of all this construction and appreciate everyone’s cooperation on respecting the signs and detours.

The Vue Begins

 

email from a friend and client:

I don’t know the young boys name…but his heart was so heavy losing the woods where only little boys know of the magic. These developers are ripping away so much from these children.

Blue Ridge Rd to Cling “are goners.” Boys told me rabbits, frogs, crayfish, bear, fox deer and beaver will all lose their habitat. They told me the creek is already filled with mud so the fish and frogs no longer have clean water…especially with the trash as seen in the photo. Boys said the oil from cars and new asphalt will ruin our water. These kids are wise about the environment- but are the adults?

I would be happy for you to post it. I don’t know if I needed the young boys permission  (Jim’s note: I didn’t post it) …but he was brushing tears away as he told me how much this woods meant to him. He went on home and his friend took us to the large waterfall they are guarding. They swim there and are so frightened that the water cleanliness will disappear so they won’t be able to swim there…

Before that I was just staring in dismay at the woods across from Haden and neighbors came out to talk to me in total sadness. One woman said her grandfather built the beautiful old home across from the Vue. She talked for a long time, much as the boys had talked.

Crozet Trails Crew Update – March/April 2018

via email –

Saturday, March 31, 9:00 a.m. — Work day to extend the Creekside Trail from Birchwood Hill Road to Jarman’s Gap Road. Meet on Birchwood Hill Road between Birmingham Drive and Welbourne Lane in Old Trail. Be prepared to clear grass, bushes, and tree limbs, and to use rake and shovel to even out the trail. Bring your own tools or use ours. Please dress for the weather, wear sturdy shoes and gloves, and bring water. Hats, sunscreen, and insect repellent are recommended.

Directions: from Old Trail Drive heading south, pass the first traffic circle then take the first right on Welbourne Lane. Follow it to the end, where it meets Birchwood Hill Road in a “T” intersection. Turn left and park along the road.

 

“Cheers for Charity” Kickoff Party, Saturday, April 7, 2:00 p.m. — Starr Hill Brewery will donate $1 for every pint of beer purchased at the Crozet brewery in April. Help get the fund off to a good start at our kickoff party. Get to know the trails and the trails crew. Food, drink, and maps–maybe even prizes! But fun conversation is guaranteed.

“Cheers for Charity” Bike Clinic, Sunday, April 15, 2:00 p.m. — More opportunities to drink beer, plus learn how to take care of your bike. Cor, owner of Crozet Bike Shop, will teach us some simple bike maintenance. Door prizes — you could win a free bike tune-up. Extra challenge: ride your bike to Starr Hill that day; show off your steel (or carbon). Lycra bike shorts not required!

 

“Cheers for Charity” Earth Day event TBA – the weekend of April 21-22
 

Mark your calendar: Monthly Trails Crew meeting Thursday, April 26, 6:30 p.m. at Starr Hill. Note the location — food truck and yes!, beer will be available.

How Does Local Government Work?

Let’s be inspired. I think we can do this here.

I saw this post recently – An Adult Civics Hour and think we can do the same thing Crozet. And Albemarle.  Based on the Facebook responses, we’re interested.*

I’m thinking of doing this at Crozet Mudhouse to start. Maybe an initial meeting to set the stage.

Topics? Maybe set a monthly agenda?

Note: This is about local politics, but it’s not partisan political; leave that stuff at home.

If you’re interested, please tell me here.

How the heck does local government even work?

City Council, School Board, Pierce County Council, it can all be so confusing. Maybe we learned this in high school, but let’s face it- most of us have forgetten it all.

Join us for a night with Washington State Teacher of the Year Nate Bowling and Metro Parks Commissioner Erik Hanberg. They will be breaking down how local government works and how we can impact the decisions that are made in our communities.

One of the goals for MoveToTacoma.com this year is to help Tacomans feel more educated and empowered about how local government works (instead of confused, mad, or disempowered/hopeless…)

 

 

In other words.

 

 

 

*I’m going to be moving away from Facebook. They are awful..

A Thought on Growth in Crozet

as seen on the Crozet Nextdoor, and posted with permission:

Looks like the Earth movers are in place at 1166 Blue Ridge Ave. William Park gets his wish & one of Crozet’s oldest neighborhoods gets sold out for a cheap apt complex. “The Vue” 130 units shoehorned on less than 5 acres which is zoned for no more than 30 total. They gamed every zoning loophole possible in maximizing density & profit. Public safety & quality of life in this little town gets brushed aside.

Ann Mallek (annmallek.com) has the nerve to praise The Vue in the name of the master plan & as a way to deflect criticism for rightfully refusing to expand zoning on the Adelaide property on Rt 250. Why is it an ‘either or’ when they are both bad for Crozet & there are great solutions under our noses?

She is having a town hall so we can ask her ourselves along with great questions like “Why would we ever vote for you again?” this Saturday, March 24. White Hall Community Building. 10 am – noon. Garth Road and White Hall Road. 2904 Browns Gap Turnpike. Thanks for listening. I wish this was the end of rant.

Some background on the Vue, for those unawares.

March 2018 CCAC Meeting – More on Master Plan

Hope everyone enjoyed their snow day!  This month’s Crozet Community Advisory Committee (“CCAC”) meeting has been rescheduled for next Wed, March 28 at The Crozet Library from 7-9pm.  NOTE CHANGE IN LOCATION.   Attached is an updated agenda.

Have you read the Crozet master plan? *

#CCAC0318

via email:

CROZET COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The Field School

Wednesday, March 21, 2018 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Canceled due to snow.

Agenda

1. Agenda Review (Dave Stoner – CCAC chair)
2. Approval of Minutes
3. Officer Nominations/Elections( 15 Min)
4. WAHS Wireless Tower SUP follow-up discussion (All 15 min)
5. Discussion on Crozet Master Plan Update – review of (All 90 min)

6. Items Not Listed on the Agenda

7. Announcements
8. Potential Future Agenda Items
a. Apr – Western Park Master Plan Update (Bob Crickenberger, Albemarle County)
b. Apr–Bucks Elbow Mnt Radio Tower replacement (Gabe Elias, Cville – UVA – Albemarle ECC)
c. Jun – Crozet Drinking Water Infrastructure Plan Update (Mr. Mawyer ACSA/RWSA)
d. Summer – Albemarle County Stormwater Utility Plans (Greg Harper, Env. Services Chief)

 


Please find attached the agenda for this month’s Crozet Community Advisory Committee (“CCAC”) meeting to be held next Wed, March 21 at The Field School from 7-9pm. NOTE CHANGE IN LOCATION.

As discussed last time, much of the meeting will center around a discussion of the future Crozet Master Plan (“CMP”) update. Specifically, please review the existing Crozet Master Plan and bring your ideas of changes, new or existing priorities, or other updates that should be considered in the future Master Plan update. Given that the CMP update may well be a year or likely more in the future, the CCAC wanted to compile an initial list of needs/priorities to complement the findings of the recent community survey (attached), in order to: (1) have an initial compilation of such priorities/changes to feed into the CMP update, whenever that happens, and (2) to communicate such to the County staff, PC and BoS for consideration in the interim when making decisions on rezonings, SUP’s, resource allocations, and ongoing efforts.

The Crozet Master Plan can be found here or hardcopies may be available by contacting Emily Kilroy.

 

Crozet Community survey 2018–Master Plan slides

 

*I would wager most in Crozet haven’t read the Crozet master plan

More, via email, from Dave Stoner

Attached are some supplementary materials in preparation for this Wed’s CCAC meeting.  These items are intended to help guide the discussion about key changes, new or existing priorities, principles, or other updates that should be addressed by the future update of the Crozet Master Plan:

  1. An outline of the Crozet Master Plan – I am thinking we simply use this outline to organize and guide our discussion;
  2. Summary of key issues CCAC addressed in 2016 and 2017 – This may in part remind us of at least our more recent important concerns;
  3. Crozet Community Survey – Findings Related to the Master Plan (previously discussed and distributed).

I think that this discussion can be a quite daunting task to accomplish in one meeting. I would thus suggest that at this meeting we simply try and brainstorm or list key changes/priorities/updates in each area of the plan, and prioritize them as “major” or “minor/detailed” issues.  In a subsequent follow-up meeting we might then further prioritize the list, decide exactly what and how we want to transmit this information to the County staff, Planning Commission, and Board of Supervisors, and wordsmith any such statement.  I also think it is important to realize this is just an interim first step in any future Master Plan update, in order to:  (1) create an initial compilation of such priorities/changes to feed into the future CMP update, and (2) to communicate such to the County staff, PC and BoS for consideration in the interim when making decisions and for ongoing efforts.  The future full Master Plan update will require a much more detailed set of conversations with supporting work product, performed over a period of time to properly capture the detail required in such a plan.

If anyone has suggestions they wish to offer prior to the meeting I will endeavor to compile them quickly and bring to the meeting to “seed” the discussion.  Additionally, if anyone is particularly passionate about a particular topic/chapter and wants to lead the discussion about that topic, please feel free to do so.  Finally, if there are other ideas about how to run this…I’m all ears.

I look forward to a productive discussion Wed eve.  Reminder – we’re at the Field School.

Crozet Trails Crew Workdays – March 2018

via email

Go green for St. Patrick’s Day by helping to maintain a Crozet trail! We have a workday this Saturday, March 17 at 9 am at the Creekside Trail in Old Trail (apologies for the date error in our last email). This beautiful trail that runs along Lickinghole Creek needs some attention–we will build a section of boardwalk and make other trail improvements. Wear sturdy shoes or boots and bring water, pruners/loppers, and work gloves.

Directions: from Jarman’s Gap Road, turn into Old Trail on Old Trail Drive. Go through the first traffic circle, then turn right on Welbourne Lane to pass through the Creekside gate/pylons. Entrance to the trail is .2 miles on the left, almost directly across from Millstream Drive. Park along the street. If coming from 250, simply reverse!

Continue the celebratory spirit into April by raising a toast to our trails! Starr Hill Brewery has once again named the Crozet Trails Crew as the April beneficiary of Cheers for Charity! $1 of every pint sold during the month will be donated to our work building and maintaining Crozet Trails. Plan to attend some of our planned special events at Starr Hill (and buy a beer or two while you’re there)–or just stop by for no reason at all!

Saturday, April 7, 2 pm, Kickoff party – an informal gathering to celebrate our work (and sell beer). If you already know the Trails Crew, come for the fun. If you don’t know us, come on out to meet some friendly people and learn about the trails.

Sunday, April 15, 2 pm — Bike Maintenance Demo presented by Cor from the Crozet Bicycle Shop. Learn how to do simple repairs and bring your questions. We’ll be giving away a couple of bike tune-ups as door prizes.

Sunday, April 22, 1 pm – Earth Day 4K Trail Race. More details to come.

Our next monthly meeting will be Thursday, March 22, 6:30-8 pm at Mi Rancho in Old Trail Town Center. See you on the trails,

New Voting Districts in Crozet

Important from Alison Wrabel at the Daily Progress:

The electoral board proposed subdividing several existing precincts because the number of registered voters in those precincts is growing.

One new precinct, named the Mechums River Precinct, has Western Albemarle High School as its polling place, and it moves some voters from the Brownsville and Crozet precincts.

The change will help with line lengths at the Brownsville polling place, reduce congestion in the Crozet Elementary parking area and shorten line lengths at the Crozet Precinct, the electoral board recommendation said.

 PDF from the DP

Development (units) coming to:

Crozet

30 – Crozet Station
26 – Blue Ridge Co-housing
126 – The Vue
74 – West Glen

Brownsville

24 – Creekside Village
34 – Haden Place
1850 – Old Trail

Mechums River

180 – Foothill Crossing
24 – Chesterfield Landing
145 – Westlake Hills
65 – Wickham Pond
80 – Adelaide
14 – Fair Hills