AGENDA DATE: 9/3/2025
TITLE:
Rivanna Futures Land Use Applications
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Authorize the County Executive to apply for subdivision, rezoning, special use permits, and special exceptions related to the Rivanna Futures property
ITEM TYPE: Consent Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Henry, Herrick, DeLoria, Kilroy
PRESENTER (S): Emily Kilroy
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: On May 24, 2023, the Board of Supervisors announced its intent to purchase 462 acres to protect the security of the existing Rivanna Station and to facilitate development supportive of and consistent with Rivanna Station. On June 21, 2023, the Board conducted a public hearing and adopted a resolution to expressly authorize development of business and industry on the acquired property. In December 2023, Albemarle County acquired the property following a due diligence analysis. In June 2024, the Board approved a rezoning and special use permit of a 172-acre portion of the property to allow Light Industrial and Office uses.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Quality of Life - Encourage a vibrant community with economic and recreational opportunities that serve all community members.
DISCUSSION: The rezoning and special use permit applications for the 172-acre portion of the property enabled that property to be eligible for site development grant funding through the Commonwealth of Virginia. In July 2025, the Virginia Economic Development Partnership announced the award of $9.7 million to Albemarle County through the Virginia Business Ready Sites Program. Funding will support site readiness work, including the extension of utilities, clearing, and grading on a portion of the property, over a period of the next 12-15 months.
With site readiness work now underway, staff are exploring other efforts that will support future site marketing, sales, and vertical development work that may be necessary to advance the Rivanna Futures project goals. This could include the need to prepare and submit additional land use applications, including subdivision, special exception, special use permit, rezoning, and other related documents or instruments. The proposed Resolution (Attachment A) authorizes the County Executive to submit certain applications on behalf of the County, as property owner. Those applications would then be subject to review by staff and the Planning Commission (as applicable) and to final approval by the Board of Supervisors.
BUDGET IMPACT: The Economic Development Fund would support contract services for the development of application materials to make the application, if approved by the Board.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Board adopt the proposed Resolution (Attachment A).
ATTACHMENTS:
A - Proposed Resolution