Crozet's community blog
This might mean a little, a lot or nothing at all.
Ann Mallek has raised three times as much in Crozet as has incumbent David Wyant. Have the demographics changed that much in four short years? Mr. Wyant has raised eight thousand dollars more than Mrs. Mallek and has nearly twice as much on hand, but this race should be interesting.
Everybody would do well to see where candidates’ money are coming from at Virginia Public Access Project (VPAP)’s site. It’s fascinating.
Not including bike lanes is a serious flaw in the design of an “improved” Downtown Crozet.
“Where are the bike lanes?†asked one man. There are none planned, answered the consultant.
“Would people have to bike on the sidewalk?†Experienced bikers often ride on the street, explained the consultant. The man didn’t seem satisfied.
For a local government with such a great recent track record of embracing green initiatives and active lifestyles, this is a shame.
Whom should we contact at the County to express a desire for bike lanes?
Also, per David Wyant: “We want a walkable, bikable community.” – 1:01 of the White Hall Forum.
Update: Here is some of the relevant Code regarding riding bikes on sidewalks.
Update 2: From Jack Kelsey,
Thank you for your inquiry and the web-links. In response to your September 25th email, we recognize that this street corridor is really constrained with some existing features that are very important to Crozet residents. Our primary challenge during the design process is going to be achieving a balance of the improvements to: accommodate the needs of all users (vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists, and future transit); aesthetically enhance this main thoroughfare of the Downtown; preserve existing unique features and characteristics of Crozet Avenue and Crozet; increase vitality and economic benefit to downtown business owners; and try to provide environmentally sensitive solutions to stormwater management within this constrained corridor.
At this point we have not made any absolute decisions as to design elements, but as a starting point we are using the Crozet Master Plan, Historic Crozet Streetscape Enhancement Project grant application, and the County Sidewalk and Bicycle Facilities plans as our guidance. That said, bicycle lanes are being provided on Jarmans Gap Road and the new Main Street. In the event that the constraints do not allow for the provision of bikes lanes, we will plan for an alternate means to provide bicycle access and interconnection. Â
Through our design and public involvement process we will be welcoming the residents’ input as we work together to achieve the needed balance and help those involved and impacted by this project to find some benefit.
Sincerely,
Jack M. Kelsey, PE
Transportation Engineer
Department of Facilities Development
Update 3: From an unsolicited email from Ann Mallek:
In the UNJAM 2025 long range transportation plan which I have worked on since 2000, the focus is on multimodal, or all forms, of transportation infrastructure. For the first time more than ten percent of the federal funds are to be used in transit improvements.
The stipulation was made that all new roads in subdivisions should be wide enough and properly striped for bike lanes, and that as existing roadways were improved, they were to be brought into conformance by adding striping where width allowed and adding paved shoulder or separate paths where needed.
As the supervising authority over VDOT’s road projects, it is up to the Board of Supervisors to make sure about those details, as projects are approved and also as the projects are built out. While visiting in the neighborhoods recently, I have learned about poor follow up on project implementation. In one area a house has been constructed on top of a filled in storm water detention pond lot and the water has all been diverted into a pipe and dumped into the field across the street, where it impacts that owner’s basement.
Details are important, from the planning aspect or the follow through. We cannot look away once a decision is made. The community is counting on enforcement of all provisions of permits.
Ann Mallek
Candidate for Supervisor, White Hall district
Regarding Ann’s email – it’s reassuring that one of the candidates for this year’s election is reading and contributing to the discussion. Thank you.
Regarding the sidewalks, it appears that if there’s room, they’ll put in the bike lanes. What we seem to have here is an instance of the County being between a rock and a hard place. People want the bike lanes, but they also want the front porches saved. Read about the petitions to save the Barbershop’s front porch here, Cocina del Sol’s porch here and September’s Crozet Gazette (PDF). There’s always more to the story, and I am grateful to those who have chosen to contribute to the conversation. Would it be fair and accurate to say that we might have to choose between bike lanes and front porches?
Technorati Tags: albemarle, bike lanes, crozet, politics, transportation
Cvillenews asks the question today. I’ve pondered doing a story about incorporation but want to research it (and try to get some UVA law students to help). There are a couple of reasons that Crozet doesn’t incorporate, and three of those are that
1) We’d have to pay separate taxes to the town
2) We’d have to hire our own police force with said taxes
3) Everybody wants everything but doesn’t want to pay for it.
Maybe we can talk about it this evening at tonight’s Town Meeting at Western Albemarle High School. The fun starts at 7 and (is scheduled to) ends at 9.
The town meeting will also serve as the kick-off for the Downtown Crozet Streetscape Project Phase 2, which will focus on pedestrian-friendly improvements like sidewalks, landscaping, and lighting along Crozet Avenue to Tabor Street and will begin construction of New Main Street to provide access to the new Crozet library.
Thanks for the incomparable Charlottesville Tomorrow you can listen to last Thursday’s Crozet Community Association forum with challenger Ann Mallek and incumbent David Wyant.
Growth, infrastructure, transportation – issues that are pertinent to all Crozetians and Albemarle County residents – it’s all there.
Listen at Charlottesville Tomorrow or CvillePodcast.
Listen to the podcasts at Charlottesville Tomorrow. This election, more than nearly any other in recent memory, is crucial.
This is a perfect opportunity for someone to write a story about the meeting.
From the CCA email:
This meeting has been extended one hour to allow time to hear the latest version of the downtown rezoning proposal; to conduct Association business; and to hear both candidates for the White Hall seat on the Board of Supervisors. There is another important meeting scheduled the following week on September 20 at WAHS where the County will give an overview of all the projects and plans that concern Crozet. The high school presentation is co-sponsored by CCA, the Crozet Community Advisory Council, and the County of Albemarle. We have combined the rezoning presentation with our regular meeting on the 13th in order to spare all of us yet a third meeting in September regarding Crozet issues.
CCA AGENDA
Note: Change in meeting times. We begin 30 minutes earlier than usual.
6:30 – Pre-meeting–Room is open for inspection of new downtown Crozet re-zoning maps and descriptions & dialog with presenters.Â
7:00 – Meeting opens with County consultant Ken Schwartz & others presenting revised re-zoning plans for downtown Crozet and fielding questions.
8:00 or so – Community Association business. “Good Neighbor Award” to be presented to Meg West (in absentia) for her outstanding art in our community. Other business to follow.
8:30 or earlier – Fifteen minute presentations by David Wyant and Ann Mallek of their platforms as candidates for Albemarle Board of Supervisors. Order of speaking to be determined later. First speaker will be allowed 5 minutes to respond to second speaker. Q & A permitted from the audience as time allows.
9:30Â Â Adjournment.
Mark your calendars!
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Western Albemarle High School Cafeteria
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for meet and greet
There is a lot of exciting activity underway on infrastructure improvement projects in Crozet, and you and your family are cordially invited to a town meeting to find out more.
At the meeting, County staff will make presentations about the status of current and future projects related to the Crozet Master Plan, followed by time for residents to talk with staff members, consultants, and officials about individual projects.
Topics will include:
– the Crozet Downtown Zoning Project,
– the Sidewalk and Streetscape Project,
– the Crozet Library,
– the Historic Resources Study,
– Reuse of the Old School Site,
– Master Plan for Western Park.
The Crozet Community Advisory Council and Crozet Community Association are co-sponsoring the meeting with Albemarle County, and representatives will be on hand to talk with you about opportunities for community involvement.
If you have any questions or need more information in advance of the meeting, please contact our Community Relations Office at (434) 296-5841. We hope you will join us!
Learn more at the County’s website.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – if you choose not to participate, you relinquish the right to complain.
Not surprisingly, Crozet’s growth is the primary issue in this year’s election.
The Daily Progress has a fairly in-depth article this morning.
Obligatory Ann Mallek quote:
“[Residents are] being very frank with me and almost everyone feels run over by the change that’s happened,†Mallek said. “All the promises that were made have been empty so far.â€
Obligatory David Wyant quote:
“I think Crozet could be one of the nicest communities there is when it eventually builds out,†he said. Wyant said he worked to get a park included in the Old Trail development and for school improvements in Crozet. He also was involved in plans for a downtown library and is working so that the area can enjoy mass transit.
I would love to hear more about Crozet’s mass transit plans.
And – see where the candidates are getting their money.
So far, Mrs. Mallek has $15,010 and Mr. Wyant has $10,680, both of whom I expect will be collecting and spending (much) more. Both candidates, surprisingly have received relatively few contributions from Crozetians.
But if the issue is that there are all of these new people in Crozet now, then by definition there are a lot of people there who don’t know David Wyant and his family. So I doubt that the fact that Wyant’s family has been in the area for generations will win it for him.
The real issue is, “Why didn’t you or anyone else notice that you got the growth estimates all wrong? Can’t anyone there do math?”
For two weeks in a row, I’ve noticed candidate for the Board of Supervisors, Ann Mallek, hanging out in The Square in Downtown Crozet. Apparently she’s been going door-to-door talking to the voters for some time now.
It’s nice to see a candidate meeting with, and listening to, those whom she hopes to serve.
Next time I’ll be prepared with a pen and notepad.
This year’s election is going to be very important. Stay informed at Charlottesville Tomorrow’s Election Watch – or just stop by and talk to her the next time she’s in the Square.
From yesterday’s Cville-Right Now! – Tom Loach has pulled out of the Board of Supervisors race. (first five minutes of the podcast) Anyone know why?
Technorati Tags: albemarle, charlalbemarle, crozet, politics
