AGENDA DATE: 2/2/2022
TITLE:
Title
Rivanna River Corridor Plan
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Receive the Phase II component of the Rivanna River Corridor Plan, accept and endorse the plan for consideration as part of the Comprehensive Plan update process
ITEM TYPE: Regular Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Walker, Filardo, Rapp, Benish
PRESENTER (S): David Benish, Sandy Shackleford, Director of Planning & Transportation, TJPDC
LEGAL REVIEW: Not Required
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: Under a Memorandum of Understanding agreed to by the City of Charlottesville, Albemarle County and the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission (TJPDC), the TJPDC has been undertaking the development of a Rivanna River Corridor Plan. A staff technical team and Council-and Board-appointed steering committee has been assisting with the development of this plan. Phase I, essentially a background study, was completed in 2018. The TJPDC has now completed the draft of Phase II of the Plan, which is intended to establish the vision and guiding principles for the corridor (Attachment A).
Attachment B is a memo from Sandy Shackleford, project lead from the TJPDC, to the Albemarle County Planning Commission, which provides further background and discussion of the project.
The Albemarle County Planning Commission was presented the plan on December 14, 2021 and expressed general support and appreciation for the plan, articulated in the meeting minutes (Attachment C). A joint Charlottesville Planning Commission/City Council meeting was held on January 11, 2021 to review the plan and the Commission and Council have also expressed general support. It is anticipated that the Plan will be adopted into the City’s Comprehensive Plan in the near future.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Natural Resources Stewardship - Thoughtfully protect and manage Albemarle County’s ecosystems and natural resources in both the rural and development areas to safeguard the quality of life of current and future generations.
DISCUSSION: As the County is now beginning its review and update of its Comprehensive Plan, staff recommends that the Board accept and endorse the Phase II corridor plan and refer it to the staff for consideration and incorporation into the County’s update of the Comprehensive Plan.
BUDGET IMPACT: There is no budget impact from this planning document. Implementation of the Plan may require future funding.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Accept and endorse the plan and refer the document to staff for consideration and adoption as part of the upcoming review and update of the Comprehensive Plan.
ATTACHMENTS:
A - Rivanna Corridor Plan, Phase II
B - TJPDC Cover Memo
C - Planning Commission Minutes, 12/14/21