Fluvanna Adding Debt and Reducing Regulations to Boost ZXR Development Potential
By. Bryan Rothamel, Field Officer
The Fluvanna County Board of Supervisors are adding another $8.5 million to the county’s debt total.
The supervisors voted 4-0 to finance $8.5 million for the Zion Crossroads water and sewer project.Chairman Mike Sheridan (Columbia District) had a pre-planned absence.
Current estimates has the project at over $10 million. The remaining amount will be paid in cash from the county’s reserves.
Tony O’Brien (Rivanna District) wanted to include in the financing the first year’s payment but it failed to reach a second. Patricia Eager (Palmyra District) moved to pay the first year’s payment in cash. This payment was not budgeted for in FY18.
The supervisors originally applied and were approved for $8.5 million through the Virginia Resource Authority but debated on financing less than the full amount. The county’s reserves are sitting at $4.8 million above policy of keeping 12 percent of the budget in reserves. This additional amount above policy is called the ‘fund balance.’
With financing of $8.5 million for the project, the county will still pay $1.7 million in cash from the fund balance.
“Flexibility [in the cash balance] is important. $2 million is not a lot of flexibility,” said O’Brien.
The county’s debt total will be over $100 million. Starting in FY19 the county will be retiring $6 to $7 million a year of debt.
Also at the June 21 meeting, the supervisors approved a number of changes in the the zoning ordinances.
The only one not to get an unanimous vote was the one regarding planning unit developments. Fluvanna still does not have an approved PUD and only one has come to a vote, Walker’s Ridge.
The changes would restrict PUDs to the Zion Crossroads community planning area and would require use of public water and sewer. O’Brien raised concern if a developer needed more capacity than the county could offer at the time, it would stop development.
County staff said if a developer wanted a PUD, the developer would help finance an expansion of the system to make it work.
Wayne Stephens, director of public works, said he thought it would be a huge mistake to allow people to build a private system in a community planning area.
O’Brien envisioned a scenario where the developer would have a private system that later would connect when the capacity would allow.
“Trust me, if you have an out…someone will take it,” said Stephens.
The ordinance change passed 3-1 with O’Brien against it.
The other zoning text amendments passed without dissension. The sign ordinance became less restrictive including allowing larger signs in the Zion Crossroads urban development area. The ZXR sign overlay district will have similar dimensions as Louisa County but slightly smaller.
The other change was increasing the maximum height of Industrial 2 zoned properties. It also will now require less setback unless bordering a residential zoned property.
All of the changes are geared to helping development in the Zion Crossroads’ area with the anticipating of the aforementioned planned water system.
In other news, the supervisors approved the county applying for a grant to build a fire training tower building at the Fork Union Fire Station. The goal of the application is for the county’s match to be provided by staff work or already budget resources instead of additional cash contribution.
The supervisors approved a new private secondary school at the old ABC Preschool by Slice Road. The facility is a six week program geared to helping students return to the public school classroom by working on social skills and classwork. The private school has agreements with Fluvanna, Albemarle, Charlottesville, Greene, Nelson and Madison already.
The board transferred money to pay for county attorney services. The FY17 projected cost is $273,000. The county’s attorney costs have increased each of the last four years. The supervisors briefly discussed during the budget season hiring a full time county attorney, however that discussion didn’t go far.
Also at the June 21 meeting the supervisors extended the contract for the county attorney services at the same rates as the current fiscal year.
The supervisors will next meet on July 5 at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. The supervisors have no second meeting in July. A public hearing on issuance of the ZXR bonds will be on the 7 p.m. docket.
The Free Enterprise Forum’s coverage of Fluvanna County is provided by a grant from the Charlottesville Area Association of REALTORS®and by the support of readers like you.
Bryan Rothamel covers Fluvanna County for the Free Enterprise Forum
Photo Credit: Fluvanna County
Fluvanna Finances $8 Million for ZXR Water Project; Discusses Refinancing School Debt
By. Bryan Rothamel, Field Officer
The Fluvanna County Board of Supervisors have a tentatively agreed to finance the Zion Crossroads (ZXR) water project with $8 million of debt. The county was approved to finance up to $8.5 million through the Virginia Resource Authority.
The ZXR project is projected to cost $10.2 million. The county has $4 million in cash savings, most commonly called the fund balance. Supervisors debated how much they would feel comfortable financing between $6 million and $8 million and for how long.
“I would encourage you to go $8 [million],” said county administrator Steve Nichols.
Tony O’Brien
Tony O’Brien (Rivanna District) said, “The more flexibility we have in regards to the fund balance, the better.”
The county was advised by staff to go no more than 25 years on the bonds to avoid financing a project longer than the project’s replacement cycle. The estimated lifespan of the project is 50 years for the water tower, 15 to 20 years for mechanical parts and 70 to 80 years for the pipes.
“You should view this debt as an investment,” said O’Brien.
Don Weaver (Cunningham District) said, “It is definitely an investment.”
Also at the June 7 meeting, supervisors decided it will sit back and watch the market in regards to how to reinvest $58 million worth of bonds. In third quarter 2018, the school bonds will have about a 100-day span where money can be reinvested. The proceeds of the investments would be profit for the county.
“I don’t think you will make less [later] than you are going to make today,” said Patricia Eager (Palmyra District).
The county explored a float agreement where the county would now offer companies an opportunity to invest money when the chance arises in 2018. The companies would pay the county now for the opportunity later.
Another option is to buy state and local government series (SLGS) securities. However, the government regulates when those can be purchased. Currently SLGS securities are not allowed to be purchased but it is expected to open again.
As the opportunity to reinvest the bonds gets closer, the float agreement becomes less advantageous because companies would not be ‘betting’ on the market. Another issue with the float agreement is the county would pay fees which would take away maximum income.
If SLGS window is closed during the reinvestment period, the county could purchase treasury bonds for a similar rate.
“In other words, [by not doing anything now] we are taking a risk?” said Mozell Booker (Fork Union District).
Eager responded, “Not a very big risk.”
The county administration recent discovered a new ‘bed and breakfast’. Staff has discovered 20 to 25 homes are listed on popular sharing economy website airbnb, where owners can rent out spare rooms to strangers.
The state now allows localities to regulate this new type of lodging options. Many localities have had an adversarial relationship with airbnb because many owners are failing to pay lodging (and business) taxes. [Albemarle County is considering a new lodging tax and business tax ordinance this Wednesday]
However Fluvanna has no lodging taxes. County staff asked the supervisors for direction regarding the issue. Weaver found no issue if renting your own home was legal.
“Have you had any issues?” Weaver asked and received a no. “Then leave it alone.”
County attorney Fred Payne said, “I think [the market] is so new, it is still shaking down.”
Staff offered an opportunity to require airbnb hosts to register with the county. “I think it is a very fluid market,” said O’Brien.
Staff research and return to the board with opportunities or regulations.
The next Fluvanna Board of Supervisors meeting is June 21 at 7 p.m.
The Free Enterprise Forum’s coverage of Fluvanna County is provided by a grant from the Charlottesville Area Association of REALTORS®and by the support of readers like you.
Bryan Rothamel covers Fluvanna County for the Free Enterprise Forum
Photo Credit: Fluvanna County
Fluvanna Financing Fun
By. Bryan Rothamel, Field Officer
The Fluvanna County Board of Supervisors approved debt financing plan for Zion Crossroads water project at the April 19th meeting.
The project doesn’t have final design or numbers yet, but the possible funding source will be the Virginia Resource Authority (VRA).
The supervisors approved applying in the summer bond pool with the VRA. The application will be for $10 million, the latest estimated cost of the project. The deadline for the application is May 1.
The county should get a final design and cost in the next month. At that time, the supervisors can decide how much financing they want to use and amend the application. The county administrator recommends putting $4 million from the county’s cash balance to the project.
In regards to current county debt, the high school bonds have a window of about 100 days in the fourth quarter 2018 where $57 million can be reinvested. The county has two known options.
One option is to issue a ‘float agreement’ where the county contracts with an investment firm now at a locked in amount. The investment firm gives the county a set amount now with the hopes the firm can invest that money for a better return when the window opens.
If the county issued a float agreement right now, it is estimated it would bring in a $74,000 immediate payout. They could also ask for a specific amount and once a bid comes in at that price, accept it. The county can issue the float agreement at any time but as the window nears, firms will be less like to ‘bet’ high.
A second option is to purchase a state and local government series (SLGS) when the 100 day period occurs. The only issue is the SLGS are sometimes blocked to be purchased. Two years ago SLGS were not allowed to be purchased for most of the year.
Supervisors directed staff to ask more questions about possibilities to Raymond James, the county’s financial adviser.
At April 12th meeting, the supervisors approved the FY18 budget and tax rates on a 4-1 with Don Weaver (Cunningham District) dissenting.
The real estate tax rate is set at $0.907 per $100 assessed. The personal property stayed at $4.35 per $100. The business rates decreased in an effort to help local businesses.
Late changes to the budget included giving staff a 2 percent raise to start January 1, increasing the budget for county attorney, additional funds for the Sheriff’s Office and Earth Day hazardous waste collection. The supervisors also are using cash to purchase a new brush truck for emergency services.
More public was present at the meeting but overall the budget season had few county residents active in the process.
The supervisors will next meet on May 3 at 4 p.m. for a regular session. A work session on county projects, including the Zion Crossroads water project, is expected before the May 17 meeting.
The Free Enterprise Forum’s coverage of Fluvanna County is provided by a grant from the Charlottesville Area Association of REALTORS®and by the support of readers like you.
Bryan Rothamel covers Fluvanna County for the Free Enterprise Forum
Fluvanna Budget Increases Without Public Comment
By. Bryan Rothamel, Field Officer
With the Fluvanna Board of Supervisors considering a budget of $75 million, no one spoke during the public hearings on April 5 for the budget or tax rates.
The supervisors advertised a budget with a real estate tax rate of $0.907 per $100 assessed. The equalized rate for last year was $0.882 per $100.
The supervisors advertised no change to the personal property rate of $4.35 per $100. The business related personal property is proposed to lower from $4.35 to $2.90 and a machinery and tools from $2 to $1.90.
The budget is much of the same from the previous year. The schools were bumped up $320,000. The county is starting to pay the lease for the emergency radio project this year.
Before opening the public hearing the supervisors were updated by staff regarding changes since their last meeting. The slight changes could let the supervisors lower the real estate tax rate or fund items that were previously not funded.
Previously the board tried to find other cuts including an attempt to go line item by line item led by Patricia Eager (Palmyra District). After going through two line items, it proved to be more time consuming than ability to find cuts.
“About three years ago when we were on hard times, we went through the budgets,” chairman Mike Sheridan (Columbia District) said during that work session.
The Fluvanna budget is is hard to maneuver much. The advertised budget includes 13.8 percent of the expenditures going towards debt service. The rest of the budget is heavily affected by salaries.
Don Weaver (Cunningham District) estimated at the last work session that 80 percent of the budget is staffing.
“It is very difficult to cut 20 percent,” said Weaver at the time.
The public hearing on April 5 was only attended by three members of the public, three media members and various county staff and constitutional officers.
The Board of Supervisors will meet to debate and possibly adopt the budget on April 12 at 7 p.m. in the Circuit Courtroom. The board can postpone a vote until April 19 without effecting the operations of the Treasurer’s office to get tax bills mailed.
The Free Enterprise Forum’s coverage of Fluvanna County is provided by a grant from the Charlottesville Area Association of REALTORS®and by the support of readers like you.
Bryan Rothamel covers Fluvanna County for the Free Enterprise Forum
Photo Credit: Fluvanna County
Fluvanna BOS Approves Conservation Easement – Removes 331 Residential Units; Approves Two New Zion X-Roads Industrial Operations
By. Bryan Rothamel, Field Officer
Fluvanna County’s once unpopular Poplar Ridge residential subdivision proposal is now officially dead.
During a February 15 meeting, the Fluvanna Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve a conservation easement for the property. Poplar Ridge was approved in August 2014 for 156 single family attached units and 175 single family detached units situated on the 232 acres. The property is just north of Palmyra, next to Camp Friendship. The conservation easement will severely restrict the usage of the property and that’s the goal of the owner. The owner receives tax benefits for conserving the land.
“The effect on this is to restrict land in perpetuity,” said the county’s attorney, Fred Payne.
Payne explained to the supervisors to change this conservation easement is very difficult because it requires action by the federal, state and local governments. “In effect what you are doing is locking this property in the state it is now,” said Payne. The easement restricts the lands usage so much, Payne estimated there wouldn’t be many usages available because the zoning restrictions are also in effect.
For example, the land is zoned R-3 which is for development of more village-like housing. The easement now restricts building or subdividing but allows hunting. The zoning doesn’t allow hunting.
Jack Hanssen, lawyer for the applicant, said, “[The applicant] reserved the right to donate this [land] for a public park.”
Supervisors also approved two rezoning requests in the Zion Crossroads area.
The first was for Wilson Ready-Mix Concrete plant, to be built just east of the Fluvanna Women’s Correctional Facility. The concrete plant would have a retail area but would mainly be for creating and transporting concrete out. Frank Gallo was the only person to speak during the public hearing. He spoke out against rezoning area in Zion Crossroads to industrial because the area should be a commercial area, especially because of the investment in water the county will be making in the coming years.
Gallo said, “If you build it, they will come. But the flip side of it is if you screw it up, they won’t.”
Tony O’Brien (Rivanna District) agreed with Gallo the county needs to keep in mind the investment in water would return higher dollar in commercial. “He raises an excellent point,” said O’Brien.
O’Brien did counter, “With the jail next door and certain industrial (land) nearby, this may fit in.”
Patricia Eager
Patricia Eager (Palmyra District) applauded an industrial company coming into the county. “I came from an industrial area,” said Eager. “We need good industries. We need concrete.”
The rezoning passed unanimously.
The supervisors also unanimously approved Foster Fuels’ rezoning request to industrial. The property is located in the Zion Crossroad Industrial Park and across from Red Rocker Candy. Foster Fuels application included a provision to have two 30,000 gallon propane 
fuel tanks on the property. Currently Foster Fuels services propane to the area by filling delivery trucks at an Afton location. This new location will greatly help Foster Fuel service the area better.
Other action by the supervisors was appointing everyone who desired to be on the Broadband Access Taskforce. The supervisors couldn’t narrow down the applicants for the committee. The group will meet until October in an effort to improve Fluvanna’s broadband access in rural areas.
The Board of Supervisors also finalized plans to make the county more energy efficient. The money spent on the project is guaranteed to be offset by energy savings.
The next supervisors will next meet for a work session on February 22. The bulk of the time will be spent on agency updates. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. in the Morris Room.
The Free Enterprise Forum’s coverage of Fluvanna County is provided by a grant from the Charlottesville Area Association of REALTORS®and by the support of readers like you.
Bryan Rothamel covers Fluvanna County for the Free Enterprise Forum
Photo Credit: Fluvanna County, Foster Fuels
Fluvanna Goes Green & Saves Green
By. Bryan Rothamel, Field Officer
Fluvanna’s Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a resolution to pay for energy upgrades via debt financing.
The annual debt payment of $560,000 is offset by the upgrade savings. Trane, the company providing the upgrades guarantees the county will save over $600,000 annually in operation and maintenance costs.
The most frequent update of facilities will be building envelopes at every county facility. The second is changing lighting at all buildings except the administration building. Other planned upgrades are programmable thermostats.
The highest dollar upgrade is at Central Elementary, a planned $3.4 million upgrade to the central plant and controls.
Also at the January 18 meeting, supervisors made a policy regarding salaries of newly elected constitutional officers. There was no current stated policy but the county was paying any newly elected officer the same as the outgoing officer.
The state mandates a salary minimum but the county often increases the salary and pays the difference. On a 3-2 vote, the supervisors made the policy to be the minimum. Chairperson Mike Sheridan (Columbia District) and vice-chairperson Mozell Booker (Fork Union District) dissented.
The salary of an incoming constitutional officer can still be increased by Board of Supervisors action.
At the next meeting the county administrator Steve Nichols will present his budget proposal as the budget season heats up. The county departmental requests for FY18 were an increase of $2.5 million over the current fiscal year. That does not include the School Board request.
Few things are guaranteed in life. The energy savings might be, but all departments getting their full request in the Nichols budget is definitely not.
The Free Enterprise Forum’s coverage of Fluvanna County is provided by a grant from the Charlottesville Area Association of REALTORS®and by the support of readers like you.
Bryan Rothamel covers Fluvanna County for the Free Enterprise Forum
Photo Credit: Xconomy.com
Fluvanna Approves New Townhouses
By. Bryan Rothamel, Field Officer
The Fluvanna County Board of Supervisors approved a 40-unit townhouse community near Lake Monticello at its last meeting of 2016.
Rivanna Heights, approved on a 4-1 vote, is situated on land on South Boston Road (Route 600). The development is up the hill on South Boston, up the hill from the intersection with Lake Monticello Road (Route 618).
Patricia Eager (Palmyra District) raised concerns about where the community sits on the road. “My primary concern is of the people that will live there,” said Eager.
The road’s speed limit is 45 mph and will now add a community in between the intersection with Lake Monticello Road and the Riverside section of Lake Monticello.
Tony O’Brien (Rivanna District) said, “I’d rather see this further up the road than it is right now.” He also mentioned the county might have to lobby the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to lower the speed limit of the windy road in the future.
The community will have a separate entrance and exit. The homes will form a triangle with two way traffic allowed on two sides but all traffic will have to funnel through the entire community. VDOT required to have one way traffic for a certain distance from entrances and exits.
Developers are giving the public safety officers an area to run radar and will also have emergency entrance.
Rivanna Heights is expected to have townhouses with 1,300 square feet, priced between $180,000 to $240,000. Representatives of the applicant repeatedly called the development “affordable housing.”
“You can get a free standing house for $200,000,” said Eager.
Eager was the lone vote against the development.
In the first meeting of 2017, the supervisors are keeping status quo of board leadership with chairman Mike Sheridan (Columbia District) as chairman for 2017.
In an primer to the FY18 budget season, supervisors were updated by staff. The reassessment equalized real estate rate will be $0.882 per $100 assessed. The current tax rate is $0.917 per $100.
The county’s savings account, known as the “Fund Balance”, has an unrestricted balance of $8.4 million. In June the unrestricted balance was $9.1 million. The county also keeps an additional 12 percent of the budget ($8.1 million) as a reserve.
County administrator Steve Nichols will formally present his FY18 budget on February 1.
The next supervisors meeting is January 18 at 7 p.m.
The Free Enterprise Forum’s coverage of Fluvanna County is provided by a grant from the Charlottesville Area Association of REALTORS®and by the support of readers like you.
Bryan Rothamel covers Fluvanna County for the Free Enterprise Forum
2016 – A Year of Exits (Executive and Grade Separated)
By. Neil Williamson, President
At this time each year, I take time to look in the rearview and see what issues we have covered that have garnered the most attention. As usual, I am amazed, and thankful, for the large number of people who read and financially support our work.
Here are the Free Enterprise Forum Top Ten 2016 Shaking My Head (SMH) Moments
#10 Is Charlottesville the $17.86 Million Court Jester?
Imagine you are a mayor or a City Manager, if a major employer and economic driver in your city was poised to leave, how would you respond?
Perhaps its just me, but I would likely fight like heck to keep them in the city. It is much easier to retain a major employer than to attract one.
But what if the employer is actually an arm of a neighboring government, should that matter? …
If Albemarle decides to bring $17.86 million of ‘County’ economic activity back to Albemarle, Charlottesville may end up looking as wise as the Court Jester this Halloween.
#9 Bananas and Albemarle’s Outdated Economic Opportunity Map
Imagine being in the banana business — and you have no way to obtain fruit.
That is Albemarle County’s current economic development sales position: “Yes, we have no bananas.”
“If a manufacturer calls interested in locating near a highway, we tell them, ‘We have nothing for you,’. Prospect businesses are looking to move within three to six months if they are not looking to build. We tell them, ‘We have no product ready to go today.’” – Faith McClintic, Albemarle County’s economic development director
#8 Greene Supervisors Approve Overspending FY17 Budget
By. Brent Wilson, Field Officer
In just the second month of the new budget cycle, the Greene County Board of Supervisors discussed
two issues last night (8/23) that would allow the county to spend nearly $33,000 over the approved FY17 budget.
The first issue that County Administrator John Barkley explained was that several positions are needed to be brought up to market value. He further explained that supplemental funds are being requested to fund the $27,250 for the reclassification of positions. Surplus funds from the FY16 budget will allow the county to be able to fund this request.
#7 C’ville’s Hydraulic Houdini
What would you call it when Charlottesville works to make a primary pillar of an integrated
transportation program disappear?
The Hydraulic Houdini.
Please let me explain.
Those with even decent short term memory can remember the argument over the now defunct Western Bypass and the Route 29 “Solutions”. Rather than building a limited access bypass around Charlottesville’s congestion (The Free Enterprise Forum supported), Bypass opponents proposed a series of integrated “solutions” would increase the existing roadway capacity.
My friend Jeff Werner of the Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) even had a nifty PowerPoint Presentation regarding the congestion
#6 Albemarle’s Executive Exodus x 2
Albemarle Executive Foley Finds Greener Pastures
With rumors flying around Albemarle County (and Social Media) all day, a 4 pm Stafford County announcement made it official; County Executive Tom Foley is leaving Albemarle County to take up the same post in Stafford County. In the announcement Stafford highlighted Foley’s service and temperament as key qualities they were looking for in their new administrator:
Albemarle is Losing Faith
As anticipated as the sun rising in the east, it is with absolutely no surprise that Albemarle County’s first Economic Development Director, Faith McClintic, will be leaving her position later this year. In her short 18 month tenure, McClintic often found herself at odds with Planning Commissioners, some members of the public, this writer, and some elected officials. In addition, she found herself without product as she said in August of this year:
“If a manufacturer calls interested in locating near a highway, we tell them, ‘We have nothing for you,’. Prospect businesses are looking to move within three to six months if they are not looking to build. We tell them, ‘We have no product ready to go today.’” – Faith McClintic, Albemarle County’s economic development director
#5 Albemarle and VDOT Create US29+Rio Lemonade
While the Free Enterprise Forum lost the battle against the US29/Rio Grade Separated Interchange (GSI), we have found Albemarle County (and Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT)) to be working exceedingly well together and significantly positively impacting the challenging business environment due to the roadway construction.
In the most recent Route 29 Solutions Project Delivery Advisory Panel meeting, former VDOT Commissioner and PDAP facilitator Philip Shucet indicated the next phase of the Rio GSI project, where the intersection will close for up to 103 days, “Isn’t going to be a birthday party”. This might be the understatement of the year.
#4 SOMEONE’s Shameful Sensationalism
Over the last dozen years, I have read literally hundreds of Albemarle County staff reports. I tend to find the reports to be professional, concise, factually correct and devoid of generalizations or editorial commentary – until last week when I determined that SOMEONE improperly and sensationally used a tragedy to further an advocacy position in what was presented as an impartial staff analysis.
In an attempt to sensationalize the need for closing of Earlysville Road to truck traffic, SOMEONE has stooped so low as to cite a terrible teenage 2002 drunk driving accident as justification to overrule the technical analysis of professional traffic engineers.
#3 ‘Snob Zoning’ Crozet Master Plan in the Works?
Recently, C-ville magazine cover story posed the question, “Can Crozet maintain its small town charm
as its population increases?”
Perhaps the question should be “After millions of dollars of planning and infrastructure spending, should Crozet residents be allowed to stifle population and economic growth by hijacking the master planning process?”
We’ve recently learned such a plan is in the works. And it is a bad idea….
The reality is the CCAC is opposed to density in the development area that is critical to achieve the philosophical goals of the Comprehensive Plan. The community vetted plan calls for densely populated development areas filled with amenities and services surrounded by less populated rural areas that are supportive of agriculture, forestry and open space.
In her seminal book “Snob Zoning”, Liza Prevost, exposed what happens when NIMBY zealots are able to change plans and regulations
#2 Fluvanna Land Use Fireworks
By. Bryan Rothamel, Field Officer
“I’m a little surprised board members are so happy to push this under the rug,” said Supervisor Tony O’Brien. . .
O’Brien said there were supervisors who should recuse themselves from the vote because they should know they aren’t compliant with the program.
Eager asked O’Brien to name who he thinks is not compliant as she has done everything to be compliant. He replied he never thought she wasn’t but questioned if Supervisor Don Weaver and chairperson Mike Sheridan (Columbia District) were compliant. He also thought Supervisor Mozell Booker might not be compliant but she was in a different arm of the program.
Sheridan said he asked a cooperative agent if he was in compliance and was told his practices were.
Fred Payne, county attorney, gave a legal opinion that supervisors do not have to recuse themselves just because they participate in the program.
O’Brien also suggested Mike Sheridan should recuse himself because Mel Sheridan is his brother.
Payne’s said Mike Sheridan had no need legally reason to recuse himself. He continued supervisors can always recuse themselves if they feel it is necessary but there was no legal reason to do so.
Weaver, who was quiet for the discussion, called for a vote which ended the discussion.
O’Brien said under his breath after the vote, “Embarrassing.”
#1 $52.5 Million Dollar Indecent Proposal – Albemarle Backs Off Threat to Wedding Industry
Last Tuesday evening, a rare joint meeting of the Albemarle County Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors heard a great deal from both wedding venues and the vendors that support them. Albemarle staff had prepared a proposed ordinance that, am
ong other things, would limit the ability of wineries, breweries and distilleries to 24 events a year. In the end the supervisors backed away from the most restrictive portion of the ‘indecent proposal’.
The testimony Tuesday was insightful and passionate. Wedding Photographer Jen Fariello asked pointedly “Why are weddings being attacked?” Wedding planner Adam Donovan-Groves [name correction 9:01 6/20 nw] told of one recent wedding whose local fiscal impact exceeded $250,000 musicians, gift packs, invitations, transportation, jewelry, photographer, etc.
Yes, 2016 has been a year of executive exits, speedy construction and threats of overregulation. Through it all the Free Enterprise Forum continues to blog, tweet (@neilswilliamson) and Facebook about local issues of significant importance.
The year ahead is filled with promise: the promise of a national search for a new Albemarle County Executive, the promise of so called “Solutions” 29 being completed earlier than scheduled (looks like June), the promise of new form based code development in Charlottesville, as well as the promise of elections across all localities.
2016 will also bring us the opportunity and privilege of attending and participating in many more government meetings where important policy decisions are made and #SeatsAvailable.
Thank you for your support!
Happy New Year
Neil Williamson
Neil Williamson is the President of The Free Enterprise Forum, a privately funded public policy organization covering the City of Charlottesville as well as Albemarle, Greene, Fluvanna, Louisa and Nelson County.
Fluvanna Supervisors Approve Funding For Zion Water and Sewer Design
By. Bryan Rothamel, Field Officer
The Fluva
nna County Board of Supervisors approved funding for the final design of the Zion Crossroads sewer and water system during the December 7 meeting.
The Board approved $47,870 to complete the final design with Dewberry Engineers. Previously supervisors in FY14 approved funding of $575,000 for preliminary work on the Zion Crossroads water system.
That funding plus a supplementary appropriation of another $30,000 paid for preliminary engineering report,18 preliminary design task orders, an aerial survey and a ground survey.
The project is to have both a drinkable water line and a sewer line from the Fluvanna Women’s Correctional Facility down Route 250 to Route 15 and then turns down Route 15.
The current scope of the project will include construction of a water booster station, water main, elevated storage tank, wastewater pump station and a wastewater force main. With a 20 percent contingency, it is estimated to cost $9.52 million. The original estimate in the preliminary engineering report was $7.07 million for the same items.
Once the final design is completed, the project can move to bidding services and construction administration.
Supervisors approved a deer hunt at Pleasant Grove for handicap hunters. The Wheelin’ Sportsmen have conducted the annual hunt since 2013. The Fluvanna Sheriff’s Office will provide patrol during the event. The park will be closed from 2 p.m. until dark during the hunt. The date will be early January.
County staff suggested the Board of Supervisors encourage the Planning Commission (PC) and the School Board (SB) to flip their meeting weeks to improve the county’s planning process. Currently the School Board meets on the third Wednesday of the month. The Planning Commission meets on the fourth Wednesday.
Any applicant going through the PC currently submits an application then waits for the PC’s public hearing eight weeks later. Then the BOS has a public hearing, four weeks later. The process takes 12 weeks, at the quickest.
If the SB and the PC flip flop meeting weeks, the process could be sped up to seven weeks because the BOS and the PC could advertise their public hearings simultaneously and hold them a week apart. Staff estimated 75 percent of applicants would be completed in seven weeks.
If the PC needs two meetings to discuss issues, which happens about 25 percent of the time by staff estimates, the process would then be a similar timeline to the current one.
Staff recommends this change because it will make the planning process streamlined and easier.
The supervisors do not have a say in the other two boards switching their meeting times but can kindly stress the importance of a streamlined process. A quicker process makes the county more attractive to development and in return, increase the tax base.
Supervisors did change one meeting date. The board will next meet on Tuesday, December 20 because of the holiday season. The meeting is set for 7 p.m. in the Fluvanna Circuit Courtroom.
The Free Enterprise Forum’s coverage of Fluvanna County is provided by a grant from the Charlottesville Area Association of REALTORS®and by the support of readers like you.
Bryan Rothamel covers Fluvanna County for the Free Enterprise Forum
Real Estate Assessments (and E-911 Tower) Going Up In Fluvanna
By. Bryan Rothamel, Field Officer
As a part of its November 16th meeting the Fluvanna County Board of Supervisors heard a report that Blue Ridge Mass Appraisal (BRMA) is finishing up a full assessment of the county. It is expected properties with improvements (houses or buildings) will see an increase of 3 to 4 percent.
BRMA sent out notices to property owners on November 4th and to date has received less than 100 telephone calls. The Board of Equalization was appointed to hear official appeals.
Supervisors also approved change orders to the E-911 project. The most significant one being the least expensive. The supervisors approve the county purchasing a 100 feet by 100 feet square from Central Virginia Electric Cooperative (CVEC). The cost is $10.
CVEC is providing the land only for a public safety communication tower. If the county no longer needs the tower, the land would revert back to CVEC.
Besides how inexpensive the land transaction is, CVEC will also provide electrical service for the tower. Fluvanna can lease up to three additional spots on the planned 300-foot tower. The county will maintain the shelter for equipment but CVEC will provide the access road.
Other change orders were to continue using a company to provide project management, moving the Columbia School tower in a different location on the same property, elimination of requirement of grading that is not needed anymore and installation of fiber cable by Motorola.
In other business, the Supervisors expressed hope that more people will find their way to Pleasant Grove farm and museum. The supervisors approved a funding request to apply for two directional signs on Route 15 South. The signs would help tourists coming from the Zion Crossroads I-64 exit to Pleasant Grove.
The application to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) would request the first sign be before the Routes 15 and 250 intersection saying how far and direction to the county owned park. The second sign would instruct drives to turn on to Route 53 in Palmyra. The application is $100 per sign. There is an annual cost of $450 per sign.
Supervisors will have two public hearings regarding county code amendments at the December 21 meeting. The first is to correct referenced state code in an ordinance regarding solar panels. Don Weaver (Cunningham District) has solar panels on his property and abstained for the vote. Legal counsel said he didn’t need to but he could if he felt necessary.
Supervisors will also have a public hearing regarding the deadline for businesses to file for personal property taxes. Currently the deadline is February 1 but the Commissioner of Revenue can move it to March 15 without issue.
The first phase of the Palmyra Rescue Squad building is nearing completion. The county has increased lighting in bays, installed an HVAC building, improved the living area and improved the exterior.
Currently the squad houses the paid professional crew 24-hours a day. Volunteers also operate out of the building.
Supervisors will next meet on December 7 at 4 p.m.
The Free Enterprise Forum’s coverage of Fluvanna County is provided by a grant from the Charlottesville Area Association of REALTORS®and by the support of readers like you.
Bryan Rothamel covers Fluvanna County for the Free Enterprise Forum
