AGENDA DATE: 3/4/2026
TITLE:
Title
Zoning Modernization - AC44 Implementation Priorities
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Review the recommended priority AC44 Comprehensive Plan actions for Phase 3 of Zoning Modernization
ITEM TYPE: Regular Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Wall, Herrick, Tevendale, Svoboda, MacCall, Brumfield
PRESENTER (S): Lea Brumfield
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: In conjunction with the adoption of the AC44 Comprehensive Plan on October 15, 2025, Albemarle County staff have been engaged in the Zoning Modernization project, a multi-year effort to both update the language and format of the Zoning Ordinance and to begin implementation of the actions and goals outlined in the AC44 Comprehensive Plan. The update process has been split into multiple separate phases of work.
In Phase 1, County staff drafted four articles (Article 1 - General Provisions, Article 2 - Administration, Article 3 - Permits and Applications, and Article 10 - Nonconformities) to establish the tone, modern language style, and ordinance format of the new ordinance. They were reviewed by stakeholder groups, the Planning Commission, and presented to the Board of Supervisors for review and general feedback on August 21, 2024.
Phase 2, currently underway, involves transposing the remaining ordinance into seven new articles with this established tone, style, and format. It will incorporate updates required by the Code of Virginia, development review process improvements, and minor changes to codify standard practices or adopt best practices. It will not include substantive regulatory changes.
Phase 3 of Zoning Modernization will contain the substantive regulatory work needed to implement the vision of AC44. In Phase 3 ordinance drafts, staff will both incorporate the listed actions from AC44 Part 3: Implementation and address the underlying goals and principles of the comprehensive plan.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Quality ...
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