Albemarle County New Land Use Policy – Revalidate-Yes, Restructure-No

By. Neil Williamson, Executive Director

In last night’s (July 10) Albemarle County Board of Supervisors meeting, two topics on the agenda focused on the Albemarle County Land Use Tax Deferment program.  As over 60% of the property in Albemarle County is in land use, the meeting was well attended.  The Daily Progress estimated attendance at 200 people.

After dealing with a couple of routine public hearing items, the Albemarle Board moved swiftly into a discussion with Mark Graham, Director of Community Development regarding so called “Option 2″ for restructuring land use.  Mr. Graham’s review of the potential program highlighted the rather high costs for Albemarle County in the short term and the lack of significant long term benefits.  The staff report concluded with a recommendation not to move forward with Option 2. 

Supervisor David Slutsky raised a number of questions regarding staff’s analysis regarding market concerns created by enacting Option 2.  Supervisor Dennis Rooker also joined in the discussion related to lots that might be flooded onto the market.  Mr. Slutsky also asked his fellow Board members if they might be interested in seeing this topic reviewed if and when a Transfer of Development Rights program was considered. 

Supervisor Sally Thomas mentioned the ecological importance of trees beyond just as a renewable resource for lumber. 

After what for this board was a short discussion, Chairman Ken Boyd asked the question many in the room were thinking “Are there four of us that want to continue this discussion?”  In the end it was a 6-0 decision not to move forward with Option 2.

Several supervisors stressed the need to better define the benefits to all citizens provided by the land use program.  Ms. Thomas specifically asked that the county web site express the goals of the program to promote agricultural use of land.  It was also suggested that The Farm Bureau and others could launch an education campaign to alert development area taxpayers that the rural land owners are paying the same taxes on their homes (and the adjacent 2 acres) as all other taxpayers just the land is being tax deferred. 

The Albemarle Board of Supervisors then considered the Land Use Revalidation Program.  This program would require land owners receiving land use taxation to revalidate their land use every 2 years.  County Assessor Bruce Woodzell walked the Supervisors through the potential implementation steps for the program.  The supervisors each expressed their desire to keep the forms simple but to adequate to confirm the use.

The Board supported going forward with drafting an ordinance to require biennial revalidation of all land in the land use program. 

The Free Enterprise Forum considers both of these decisions to be in the best interest of all citizens and sincerely appreciates the Albemarle Board of Supervisors careful consideration of all sides of this issue.

Tags: Albemarle, board of supervisors, land use, revalidation