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Eminent Domain in Crozet?

Maybe, maybe not. Spurred by an email from a reader:

Jarman Gap road widening improvements for 2009 – everyone agrees it’ll be nice, but did you know they’re probably taking eminent domain and taking land from the Crozet Methodist Church, as well as all the way down to Grayrock?  I live in Grayrock and several homeowners could lose 5-10 feet of their quarter acre lot!  There is likely to be a lot of protest to this, and more public awareness is better – will also affect Waylands Grant and Bargamin Park.

I contacted Allan Sumpter, Residency Administrator with the VDOT regarding the possibility of the Commonwealth using eminent domain along Jarman’s Gap. This is his response:

The Jarmans Gap roadway construction project is still in the design phase.  Since the inception of the project, an enormous amount of growth has occurred along Route 691 relatively quickly. This growth has made it necessary for VDOT to go back and acquire additional survey information to reflect the physical changes that have occurred along the roadway.  Presently, our design team is working to update plans that reflect how these physical changes into the roadway design.  Thus, the project has not reached the right-of-way phase. 

I’d like to explain how this process works.  Once design is complete on a project plans are submitted to our Central Office in Richmond for approval to proceed to the right-of-way acquisition phase.  This phase includes all necessary property acquisitions, temporary and permanent construction easements and utility easements. When approval is granted, our right-of-way section is given clearance to begin.  Each affected property is appraised by a licensed appraiser.  After the appraisal is complete, a negotiation agent contacts the property owner to arrange a meeting to present them with an offer on what VDOT needs to acquire for the project.  This may include more than one visit.  If and when the offer is accepted, legal documents are drawn up to complete the transaction and the property owner is paid.  In cases where all attempts to reach an agreement have failed VDOT will then make a decision to proceed to use the power of eminent domain.  A “certificate” is filed with the court system and upon court approval, VDOT can then proceed with the project.  A final agreement on what the property owner is paid is made through that system.

As I explained, the project is not yet to this phase.  Initial data indicates there are 105 property owners affected on the project. The exact acreage from each to construct the project varies.  This information is listed on the plans and will be available once the plans are completed.  Therefore, it is not possible for me to provide exact figures to you at this time.  If all goes well, the project is appears to be headed to the right-of-way phase this Fall.  Right-of-way agents would then start contacting property owners with specifics at that time.  I hope this information clarifies this process.  As for construction, we hope that construction will be ongoing during the 2009 construction season. (ed. note: bolding mine)

I hope this information is useful. If you have questions, please let me know.

Allan Sumpter
Residency Administrator

More information on the status of the Jarman’s Gap project at Cville Tomorrow, and at Albemarle County’s website (and here).

The question is this – do the road improvements that will benefit the community supersede the property rights of the landowners? 

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What does Crozet need?

As Crozet moves forward, what do we need? Chinese Food? Coffee Shop? Bakery?

What is our community missing that you would use today, if it were here? Please leave your thoughts in the comments.

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What do you like about your Crozet neighborhood?

We all like our respective neighborhoods – or at least most of us do, that’s why we live here. What do you like the most? What do you do on Friday and Saturday (or weekday) afternoons? What is your neighborhood close to? I would like to catalogue every neighborhood in Crozet, but know that the descriptions will be more vibrant, colorful and real if they are written by those who live in the neighborhoods. If you don’t feel comfortable writing the whole thing, send me your notes and ideas – we’ll work together to provide a picture of your home. Send me your pictures – they’ll help, too!

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On the Albemarle County School Budget

I whipped my last letter together in about 10 minutes before I went to my daughter’s soccer practice, and after reviewing it, I made some errors.  Where ever I wrote BOS (Board of Supervisors), I meant the School Board.  The BOS appears to be listening to the will of the people which is why there is discussion of a rate cut.  I have no confidence in the school board, superintendent, or the downtown administration.  By the way, I’m more than willing to pay more for school if there is accountability.  There is no accountability here, just speculation and excuses with no data.

That being said, for the last few days we’ve been receiving these emails about supporting what I consider, ridiculous spending.  I wasn’t trying to start some deep discussion or controversy over the subject, I was just curious if there were other recipients that disagreed as I did.  Most times when there is discussion about school spending, it doesn’t get my attention.  This one did.  Doesn’t mean I’m wrong or right, just that I disagree.  And if you’re going to send political email to my house, and you’re welcome to, if I disagree, I’m going to let you know.

So my message was quickly written and I need to clarify a few things.  Recognizing that we have so many of our local teacher and administrators on this distribution list, I wanted to say that even though I think this spending is out of control and needs to be reigned in, I don’t think the problem is at the school level.  Living with my wife, I don’t think too much of No Child Left Behind, but I don’t believe it’s the budget buster that is being portrayed here.  I think the problem is all down town.  I think we need more information on what goes on down town, who works down town, and what they do.  It’s my opinion that this is where the waste is, but if anyone can get this information, please share it.  How many failing teacher and administrators have they created new positions for down town?  How much does the county spend on bringing in some specialist contractors to tell or teachers the new metho d they will be using to teach our kids?

I believe (and I admittedly don’t have the information because it’s not available) if we eliminated 50-70% of the people downtown, and allowed our teachers to teach, we would have smarter kids, a better environmental, and fiscally responsible education.  To have the increases that we are having, something is wrong, and it’s not happening at the school level.

The other thing that bothered me is the intentionally misleading data that we have seen in these emails  Then there’s the, I’m not sure what you would call it…..shakedown?  They always say if they don’t get the money they want, they will have to cut teachers.  It’s always the teachers that must go first.  In reality, they have plenty of fat to trim down town and other places, but instead they throw this emotional blackmail at the parents.

I looked at the data again.  It was a 63% increase in school budget from 2000 to 2007 with a 2% growth.  I’m not saying anyone is not informed on their decisions.  I just think that kind of increase is absurd, and NCLB and 2% growth doesn’t explain it.  All I’m saying is we need to stop giving this irresponsible school board and superintendent a rubber stamp to whatever they want.  I want a better explanation.  I think we should call them on it.

By the way, none of this gets me angry and as far as the growth goes, I have participated in that process too, speaking at the Old Trail Planning Commission meeting, working on the Crozet Park Board etc..

My apologies to the superb teachers, administrators (local) and employees if I offended you.  It was not my intention.  Nor was it my intention to enflame anyone.  I just wanted to see if anyone else was thinking the way I was.  And you’re right Patty, I don’t need to sign the petition.  I’ll just write directly to my supervisor.

ed note: The above is courtesy of Brian Campbell. This type of discussion is part of the reason that this blog was started. Please feel free to contribute to the conversation or submit stories candidly, not everything will be published, but please do contribute. Accountability and transparency qualify as “good things.” The more discussion and oversight by the citizens, the better.

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Road Closing in Crozet

Note: It’s only for one day. 🙂

VDOT ANNOUNCES APRIL 4 ROAD CLOSURE IN CROZET

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is planning a road closure on Route 810, Crozet Avenue, on Wednesday, April 4 as part of the sidewalk and streetscape project underway in downtown Crozet. The road will be closed on April 4 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to allow Faulconer Construction to install a cross pipe near the Rescue Squad approximately .10 miles from the intersection of Route 240.  A detour will be in place during this event with signs directing traffic around the work zone.  The detour will utilize Railroad Avenue west to Buck Road, north to St. George Avenue, then east back to Route 810 north of the project area.

The sidewalk project began on March 1 and is focusing on the area from the railroad crossing on Crozet Ave to the current Crozet Library on Three Notched Road.  Stormwater improvements will be focused along Crozet Avenue from the Rescue Squad to the Dairy Queen intersection.  Sidewalks and streetscapes are an integral part of creating a walkable and pedestrian-oriented downtown Crozet as envisioned by the Crozet Master Plan. 

Updates on the project will be posted to the Crozet Master Plan website.

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Even more on Crozet recycling

From the CCA:

It is critical that we attend the Board of Supervisors meeting on April 4th at 6 PM to voice an opinion on the Recycle Center money staying in the CIP budget and that Crozet be the first selection for a center to maintain Crozet as a sustainable community.

Our arguments should be pointed towards:

1) Crozet has the largest population outside the urban ring around Charlottesville (in Albemarle County)
2) Albemarle County is committed to making Crozet growth area a sustainable community.
3) Environmentally speaking, Albemarle County is committed to protect the environment to guarantee a high quality of life for its citizens.  Reuse, reduce, and recycle are the 3 R’s they should be promoting.
4) Anything else you can think of———-

Calendar

April 4 – 4:00 PM  sign up to speak on the second floor sign up sheet at County Office Building.  Even if you only say a canned speech, “I support the Crozet Recycle Center.  Please listen to us.  Short speeches are in order, but we need lots or one person making a speech and saying how many folks are there to support the Recycle Center and everyone who supports the concept stand and show an impact on the BOS by numbers of people willing to support.

April 4 – 6:00 PM  BOS meeting on the second floor (most likely in the Lane auditorium)  Public Hearing

April 11 – BOS set rate and approve budget with cuts etc

April—–May  BOS discuss more of the budget allotments

June—-BOS finalize the allotments

July 1  Money is available for the different departments as has been approved by the BOS

What has been done so far:

* Crozet Community Advisory Council (14 Crozet community members appointed by BOS have sent a resolution to the BOS to have Crozet selected)
* Mike Freitas (County public works director has spoken at the CCA and will be at the CCAC April 19th meeting to speak on recycling)
* Tabor Church has held two recycle meetings and has compiled a list of interested people on getting the center in Crozet (60 names)
* CCAC has a committee of 4 members working on how the community can help the county to make the recycle center fit the community needs.

Please plan on April 4th at 4 PM to sign up and 6 PM to speak.

Everything written here on realcrozetva about recycling can be found here.

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Great letter to the editor

In the Daily Progress. Read the whole thing.

Crozet was the same as it had always been, that is until recent years when developers came in and changed the entire area – just as they have done in other places that were labeled “the best place to live.”

If they continue to remake Crozet, will the town have to give way to favored stores and businesses?

Are we to face even more taxes and regulations, crowded living, heavy traffic, and poorer schools as a result of this overgrowth?

Will this still be “the best place to live?”

The people I see in Crozet do not have time to sit on benches. They like their independence and rural way of life. The real answer to our problem is reduction of the size, cost and scope of county government and the limitation of taxation.

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A brief history of Crozet Park

Courtesy of Brian Campbell. Thanks to Brian for this very informative comment, I thought it deserved its own post.

“Crozet Park was donated to the community some 40 or so years ago. I can get the exact date. It was specifically set up for the Crozet Community. It was not given to Albemarle County. As such, it was set up to be governed by a board to decide on it’s uses and operation. These board members are revolving and are elected with a typical President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Also, since we don’t operate under Albemarle County Parks System, we have a deed. Somewhere along the way, we established a good working relationship with the county. We don’t have the resources to take care of things like baseball and soccer fields, and the county needed these recreational resources for it’s citizens in the Crozet area. So we have a working agreement with the county. They supply and take care of all of the fields for the recreational programs, and we have the decision rights over what we want to have at the Park. The Park did build the pool and is in charge of it’s operation. We receive no money from the county for operation of the pool or any other activities. They just take care of up-keep of the hefields and grounds. The Park building is also owned by the Park. The actual programs are run by private non-profit organizations such as Peach Tree. This also helps us as we don’t have the resources to organize these programs. The Crozet Park Board consists of volunteers from the community consisting or groups that might have an interest in what is offered at the Park. This includes groups like Peach Tree, The Fire Department, The Lions Club, and we also have at large members, those that aren’t attached to an organization, but have an interest in how Crozet Park is run.

We meet the first Wednesday of every month to discuss the Park’s issues, and we’re always looking for new members. We like to have members associated with organizations or busineses, but we will take interested ordinary citizens as well. If anyone is interested in being on the board, they are welcome to get in touch with me. I hope this clarifies the Park’s operation some.”

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