AGENDA DATE: 10/2/2024
TITLE:
Title
Rural Rustic Resolution (RRR) designation for remainder of Sutherland Road (Route 697)
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Adopt a resolution to designate the remaining unpaved 0.4 mile of Sutherland Road (Route 697) as RRR
ITEM TYPE: Consent Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Wall, Herrick, Filardo, Svoboda, Barnes, McDermott, Swartzendruber, Karina-Plun
PRESENTER (S): Alberic Karina-Plun
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: Each spring, the Board of Supervisors approves the Secondary Six-Year Plan (SSYP), which includes funds dedicated to paving unpaved roads in the County under the Rural Rustic Road (RRR) paving program. This program is the preferred approach of both Albemarle County and the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) for paving low-volume roads. The goal of the SSYP is to retain the traditional rural lane ambience, while also improving the road surface within the current right-of-way. A ”chip and seal” or asphalt surface is used to pave the existing alignment and width of the road for minimal disturbance.
The process for identifying and prioritizing RRR paving projects in Albemarle is defined in the Unpaved Road Policies and Review Process (Attachment A). When a paving priority is advanced, funds are allocated to the road and the road becomes a project in the SSYP following the spring public hearing. Adjacent landowners are notified by letter and given an opportunity to comment at the spring public hearing or to Albemarle County Community Development Department transportation staff. Following that, the Board may choose to designate the road as an RRR by Resolution. Once a road is designated, VDOT initiates the paving process.
Following the Board’s direction at the May 18, 2022 public hearing, projects now require two-thirds (2/3) support from directly impacted homeowners along the segment of road to be paved. Starting in January 2024, residents were notified by mail of the proposed projects on their roads and asked to provide feedback either by email, phone, or in person. For projects that already had demonstrated two-thirds support, impacted homeowners were simply notified and given the opportunity to provide feedback. For projects that still required the two-thirds support, impacted homeowners were directed to reach out to staff to voice their support for, or opposition to, the proposed paving.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Infrastructure and Placemaking - Invest in infrastructure and amenities that create connection, opportunity, and well-being.
DISCUSSION: When Sutherland Road (Route 697) was reviewed in fall 2022, a 1.16-mile portion of the road, starting 0.22 miles west of Route 29 to 1.38 miles west of Route 29, was recommended for paving. The last 0.4 miles of the state-maintained road was deemed to have too many hazards to be paved. The paving notification letters to residents (dated May 9, 2023) mistakenly stated the entire length of state-maintained road would be paved. The resolution to designate Sutherland Road with the correct 1.16 miles scope was adopted on July 19, 2023, by the Board of Supervisors, although paving was not scheduled until this year.
This summer, when VDOT began work to pave the road, residents expressed concern and confusion about the scope of the project, wondering why the remaining 0.4 miles would not be paved. County and VDOT staff conducted a site visit to Sutherland Road in August. It was determined that the last 0.4 miles of the state-maintained road would in fact be eligible for paving under the Rural Rustic Road program. However, an additional resolution to designate the remainder of Sutherland Road as a Rural Rustic Road would need to be adopted.
Because residents have unanimously supported paving the remaining 0.4 mile section, a vote on an updated resolution from the Board of Supervisors is considered sufficient to make this change.
BUDGET IMPACT: Adoption of this resolution would have no impact on the County budget. This resolution would authorize VDOT to expend state funds on a project for which the Board has previously recommended state funds be allocated through the SSYP.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends the Board adopt the attached resolution (Attachment B) to designate the segment of Sutherland Road specified above as a Rural Rustic Road.
ATTACHMENTS:
A - Albemarle County Unpaved Road Policies and Review Process
B - Resolution Designating Route 697 (Sutherland Road) as a Rural Rustic Road