AGENDA DATE: 7/7/2021
TITLE:
Title
Public Hearing on the Designation of Routes 240 and 810 as Virginia Byways
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Public hearing on the proposed Virginia Byway Designation for Routes 240 and 810 in Albemarle County.
ITEM TYPE: Regular Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Walker, Kamptner, Herrick, Filardo, Rapp, McDermott, Butch
PRESENTER (S): Daniel Butch
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: A Virginia Byway designation recognizes a road having relatively high aesthetic or cultural value, and leading to or within areas of historical, natural, or recreational significance. This designation may promote local tourism by providing an awareness of local significance and aesthetic opportunities regionally. Following a January 2019 discussion, the Board directed staff to request a Virginia Byway Designation eligibility study for Route 240 in Albemarle County, from Route 250 through downtown Crozet, including the Historic District, to its intersection with Route 810 within Crozet; and of Route 810 within Crozet to the Greene County line. Attachment A provides the background for this recommendation and the program overall. The two routes include approximately 21 miles in western Albemarle County, as shown in Attachment B. At the southern end of these segments, US 250 is currently designated as a Virginia Byway. At the northern end, Greene County has proposed that Route 810 in Greene County also be designated. In January 2019, staff submitted a formal request to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to study and evaluate the routes for Virginia Byway designation.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Infrastructure Investment - Prioritize, plan, and invest in critical infrastructure that responds to past and future changes and improves the capacity to serve community needs.
DISCUSSION: In March 2021, VDOT and DCR collectively evaluated Routes 240 and 810 and recommended that the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) designate these routes as Virginia Byways (Attachment C).
A county with a proposed byway may choose to hold a public hearing on the proposed byway designation.
On May 19, 2021, the Board authorized a public hearing on the designation of a Virginia Byway. A resolution of support from the Board will be needed for the CTB to proceed.
BUDGET IMPACT: There are no budget impacts to the County from the proposed Virginia Byway designations.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
At the conclusion of the public hearing, staff recommends that the Board adopt the attached Resolution (Attachment D) supporting Virginia Byway Designation of Routes 240 and 810.
ATTACHMENTS:
A - 2019 Memo from Transportation Planners to Mark Graham regarding Virginia Byway Consideration
B - Map of Requested Byways 240 and 810
C - Albemarle 240 and 810 - Byway Evaluation Next Steps Public Hearing March 2021
D - Resolution