AGENDA DATE: 11/4/2026
TITLE:
Title
Congregation Beth Israel (CBI) Forest School - Private Central Sewerage System and Central Water Supply.BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Resolution to approve a private central sewerage system and private central water supply at the CBI Forest School.
ITEM TYPE: Regular Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Wall, Herrick, Tevendale, Svoboda, Pohl
PRESENTER (S): Frank Pohl
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: In accordance with County Code § 16-102, CBI Forest School has notified the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors of its intent to construct a central sewerage system and central water supply (Attachment A) located on Tax Parcel 08900-00-00-06400(Property). Under County Code §§ 16-104 and 16-105, the Board must consider this proposal and either approve or deny this request.
On August 6, 2025, the Board approved Special Use Permit (SP202400023), with conditions, to allow CBI Forest School to operate a private school on the Property, along with Special Exception (SE202400027) to waive curb and gutter requirements in parking areas and travelways. The Initial Site Plan (SDP-2025-00087) was subsequently approved on September 17, 2025. A Final Site Plan (SDP-2026-00003), a Road Plan (SUB-2026-00017) for widening Dudley Mountain Road, and a Water Protection Ordinance Plan (WPO-2026-00094) are currently under review. The Property is in the Rural Area 4 Comprehensive Plan area and lies outside both the Albemarle County Service Authority (ACSA) jurisdictional area for water/sewer services and any Water Supply Protection Area.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Infrastructure & Placemaking - Invest in infrastructure and amenities that create connection, opportunity, and well-being.
DISCUSSION: This request seeks approval to operate a new central sewerage system and central water supply serving seven buildings - a central building, guardhouse, outdoor pavilion, and four classroom buildings - on the Property.
The proposed central sewerage system would include individual septic tanks for each building, a flow equalization system, a force main and flow splitter, and two primary drainfields utilizing low-pressure dosing laterals. Reserve drainfield areas would be located adjacent to the primary drainfields.
The proposed central water system would consist of a single well serving all buildings, along with a pump and water main to distribute potable water throughout the site. A preliminary layout for both systems is provided in Attachment A.
County Code § 16-101(1) defines “central sewerage system” and “central water supply” as systems “. . . designed to serve three or more connections.” Under County Code § 16-104, any proposal to establish such systems must be submitted to the Board for consideration and approval. Because each system would serve more than three connections, Board action is required.
Staff reviews these requests for technical feasibility and Comprehensive Plan consistency. Although the Comprehensive Plan discourages central systems in the Rural Area, the County Engineer has reviewed the proposal and raises no objections, noting that both systems would be designed and constructed in accordance with Virginia Department of Health (VDH) standards and regulated by VDH. VDH sewer and well permits are provided in Attachment A.
Alternatives were not considered by the applicant. For sewer service, the only alternative would be constructing multiple small systems with no more than two connections each, which would require four separate conventional drainfields and would provide no advantages in scale, treatment, or operations. For water service, the alternative would be drilling four wells, resulting in the same total withdrawal without operational benefit. Given these considerations and the owner’s commitment to maintaining the systems, staff supports approval of the proposed central sewerage system and central water supply as the most practical solution for serving the school.
Staff recommends that, if approved, the Board impose the following conditions:
1. The central sewerage system must be constructed in general accord with the preliminary design summary plans and the Virginia Department of Health permits (Attachment A).
2. Final plans and specifications are subject to County Engineer approval prior to final site plan approval.
3. Prior to issuance of any certificate of occupancy for any building served by either system, the owner must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the County Engineer that the systems were constructed in accord with the approved plans and specifications.
4. CBI Forest School must assume full responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the central sewerage system and central water supply.
5. CBI Forest School must annually document to the County Engineer compliance with all state operation and maintenance requirements.
BUDGET IMPACT: There is no budget impact associated with this item.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends the Board adopt the attached Resolution (Attachment B) approving the construction of the central sewerage system and central water supply, subject to the conditions herein.
ATTACHMENTS:
Att. A - Owner’s Request and Supporting Documents
Att. B - Central Sewerage System and Central Water Supply Resolution