Montclair – Feb 21 – Board of Supervisors
Board of Supervisors voted 4-2 in favor of developer. Chair Andrews and Supervisor Mallek voted against. Just one vote short, thanks to community efforts and engagement.
Video of the Public Hearing has been posted. Approx time for Montclair is 5:34:00 https://albemarle.granicus.com/player/clip/920?view_id=1&redirect=true
View the Change.org petition: https://chng.it/q7shJsLqMQ
The approved Montclair plan includes a Shared Use Path along Three Notch’d/240, however, it does NOT include a sidewalk or path along Park Ridge.
Chairman Andrews inquired about the absence of a sidewalk along Park Ridge in the plan. Go to time 6:58:30 for his question, and Mr. Cetta’s commitment to put in a sidewalk along Park Ridge if the County requests it. Mr. Cetta acknowledged that sidewalks are a County requirement.
Sidewalk construction IS a County requirement.
2015 Comprehensive Plan | Pedestrian Orientation | Strategy 2a: Continue to require and provide sidewalks and pedestrian paths in the Development Areas. “As a rule, sidewalks and paths should be provided by developers when properties are developed or redeveloped.”
The map shows the extensive network of neighborhoods that use Park Ridge Road to access Three Notch’d/240. Denying these East Crozet residents the opportunity to continue travel on a safe sidewalk segment along Park Ridge would be negligent and reprehensible on the part of the County. While a segment does not make the route complete, it is a critical step in the right direction. History has shown that there are no second chances for sidewalks in Crozet.
County staff have been requested by e-mail and USPS mail to include a sidewalk along Park Ridge in the site planning process. The developer committed to do it; the Comprehensive Plan gives the County the obligation and the power to require it. Will the County let the developer off the hook as has happened so many times before?
Comp Plan – Montclair does not comply
Chapter 8, Objective 9 of the Comprehensive Plan requires the Board of Supervisors to:
The Montclair proposal fails to comply with Objective 9 of the Comprehensive Plan.
Strategy 9c instructs the Board as follows: “Do not approve rezoning and special use permits outside of Priority Areas when planned facilities are NOT in place to support the project and existing neighborhoods, unless the proposed project will provide SIGNIFICANT improvements to ensure adequate infrastructure and services are available to the area.” Montclair does not meet the criteria to satisfy this exception. Infrastructure is severely lacking in the area around Montclair. And, the Montclair proposal provides NO significant improvements to ensure adequate infrastructure and services.
Without infrastucture investment in East Crozet, the Board of Supervisors has not only the power, but the obligation to deny the proposed upzoning and waivers requested for Montclair.
CrozetAction 