Information Charlottesville

Special Meeting of the Board of Visitors

Want to watch today's meeting of the University of Virginia Board of Visitors? You'll have to do so live as they do not provide an archive copy. Here is the link:

www.youtube.com/live/G-59wc4...

UVA Board of Visitors to meet to discuss federal investigations—without Cuccinelli Various groups are concerned the Board of Visitors will agree to stronger federal control over a state institution

One of the stories in today's Week Ahead is about tomorrow's meeting of the University of Virginia's Board of Visitors. I've already cross-posted it to Information Charlottesville.

infocville.com/2025/08/03/u...

Information Charlottesville The archive for Charlottesville Community Engagement and other Town Crier Productions!

I've had to take some time off for family issues. Here's a story from July 22 I'm only getting around to posting to infocville.com now.

I'm doing so because I'm writing up the Week Ahead for this week. Still on limited time, but there are so many things to tell you!

Podcast for July 25, 2025: Audio stories on Charlottesville zoning, budget scenarios for expanded transit, and implementing Albemarle’s next Comprehensive Plan If you've not heard one of these before, perhaps today is the day?

The work week ends with an audio version of the newsletter with stories about Charlottesville's effort to restore the zoning code, budget scenarios to increase service on Charlottesville Area Transit, and implementation of Albemarle's comp plan.

July 23, 2025: Charlottesville files motion asking Judge Worrell to reconsider ruling that voided city’s zoning code Plus: Charlottesville City Council get budget figures for increased bus service

Charlottesville has filed a motion asking Judge Claude Worrell to reconsider his June 30 granting of default judgment. They want a hearing held before a written order is published. Meanwhile, some developers have begun to file applications again.

communityengagement.substack.com/p/july-23-20...

Albemarle’s next economic development strategic plan likely to be adopted before AC44 Albemarle officials want the Board of Supervisors to adopt the updated Comprehensive Plan on October 15, 2025

At long last, I've finally written another story about Albemarle's Comprehensive Plan process! AC44 will likely be adopted after a new economic development strategic plan. This is a long story, but you can also take a listen.

infocville.com/2025/07/22/a...

Week Ahead for July 21, 2025: Charlottesville City Council to refer 2024 Development Code to Planning Commission for eventual readoption; Two big meetings for area transit Plus: Greene County Superv Plus: Greene County Supervisors to hold public hearing on changes to solar ordinance

Back to work after a small break (to Kalamazoo!) with a look at what's coming up this week in local government. We're still in the summer, but there are still policy items to track including City Council referring the Development Code to the Planning Commission.

Nearly two years on the job, City Manager Sanders provides status report on various initiatives The two year anniversary of Sanders becoming Charlottesville’s top official is August 1

Last week, Charlottesville City Manager Sam Sanders gave written and verbal updates to City Council as he approaches his second anniversary. Here's a story that includes audio from one of those components.

infocville.com/2025/07/10/n...

Podcast for July 11, 2025: Five radio stories from Charlottesville and one from Albemarle Speakers press for answers on zoning and action on federal overreach while City Council gets updates on the ANCHOR program and the city manager's work plan

The podcast edition is out a bit earlier than usual with five audio stories about Charlottesville and one about Albemarle. My goal would be to have a 30 minute digest of information out each day, but to get there, I need more listeners! communityengagement.substack.com/p/podcast-fo...

Resetting the Threat | Charlottesville Quarantine Report It has now been four months since the State of Emergency was declared in Virginia for the COVID-19 pandemic, and we’re still waiting to see how well the Commonwealth has done to stop the spread. Char...

I am time-traveling today and a segment in today's newsletter has me going back and listening to the July 14, 2020 edition of the podcast I was doing during the pandemic. All of the episodes are a snapshot of reporting that got me back to journalism.

Letters from DOJ reveal threats to U.Va. over admissions policies, Ryan’s leadership “Time is running short, and the Department’s patience is wearing thin,” the final letter read

The Cavalier Daily has details on seven letters sent to the University of Virginia this spring demanding proof that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs had been removed.

www.cavalierdaily.com/article/2025...

July 2, 2025: City manager Sanders calls voidance of zoning code “terribly disappointing” and pledges Council will restore the rules Plus: UVA Board of Visitors schedules a meeting and then cancels it

Charlottesville responds to the voidance of the new zoning ordinance and UVA's former rector is served with a lawsuit asserting that Ken Cuccinelli is unlawful serving on the Board of Visitors. That and several other stories in today's newsletter

June 30, 2025: Judge Worrell voids Charlottesville’s zoning code after city’s attorneys failed to file a required document in time The city is evaluating next steps but can no longer use the new rules

Charlottesville Judge Claude Worrell has entered a motion of default judgement that voids the city's Development Code because outside counsel failed to respond to an order within the allotted time. What's next? I'll keep reporting all week.

communityengagement.substack.com/p/june-30-20...

UVA President Ryan resigns under pressure as Republicans prepare for full majority on Board of Visitors The nonprofit Jefferson Council has been mounting a campaign to oust Ryan while a group called Wahoos4UVA sought to promote the legacy of the 9th UVA president

Today's newsletter is a summary of all I could gather today about the resignation of UVA's ninth president and some of the land use legacy he leaves behind.

infocville.com/2025/06/28/u...

June 26, 2025: Virginia Court of Appeals reinstates “middle missing” zoning in Arlington Plus: The Charlottesville Board of Zoning Appeals meets today to consider allowing a front-yard fence taller than four feet

Seven stories today, including a report from Arlington where the "missing middle" zoning rules are reinstated after a Virginia Court of Appeals ruling this week. This does not end the legal case, however, but allows other parties to join the case.

communityengagement.substack.com/p/june-26-20...

June 24, 2025: Virginia Senators file lawsuit asserting right to deny Cuccinelli’s appointment to UVA Board of Visitors Plus: A preview of two items going to the UVA Board of Visitors tomorrow

On June 9, the VA Senate Privileges & Elections Committee declined to confirm Ken Cuccinelli to UVA Board. Attorney General Miyares wrote to UVA Rector saying that action does not count. Today, committee members filed suit asserting their rights.

communityengagement.substack.com/p/june-24-20...

June 17, 2025: Police Chief Kochis tells City Council that Peregrine software will not be used, Flock license-plate data restricted to Charlottesville’s use only Plus: City Council gets a briefing on what city planners will do next fiscal year, including the first updates of the new zoning code

Charlottesville Police Chief Michael Kochis told City Council last night that his department has paused consideration of the use of crime-analysis software called Peregrine, and that usage of Flock data is restricted to Charlottesville.

communityengagement.substack.com/p/june-17-20...

Tuesday, June 17, 2025: Halifax Supervisors to consider rezoning of county-land to add more workforce housing Plus: Meetings in Campbell, Danville, Halifax, and Pittsylvania

The Halifax Board of Supervisors today will consider a rezoning to allow more workforce housing - and the county is the applicant! Four other elected bodies in Virginia's Fifth District meet today.

fifthdistrict.substack.com/p/tuesday-ju...

June 16, 2025: Albemarle Supervisors briefed on the county’s next economic strategic plan Plus: A look at local races in tomorrow’s party primaries in Virginia

Two policy stories from Albemarle County, a final overview of tomorrow's primary elections, no more drought in Virginia, and TJPDC wants a TDM to satisfy LRTP adopted by CAMPO.

Gotta love plancronyms.

communityengagement.substack.com/p/june-16-20...

Week Ahead for June 16, 2025: Student housing building planned in Fifeville; Albemarle and Charlottesville to consider permanent financing for renovations at regional jail Plus: Fluvanna County Supervisors will get an update on the water supply plan

The first three days of this week are busy and every Sunday I write up a preview of what is coming up. The new Development Code allows for a by-right 157-apartment student housing building to be constructed in Fifeville.

communityengagement.substack.com/p/week-ahead...

June 12, 2025: Lunenburg Supervisors to hold public hearing on budget, discuss solar project at airport Election coverage begins with a look at the three uncontested races in the Mother of Counties

So far, there are no contested races for the Board of Supervisors in Lunenburg County, one of the 24 localities in Virginia's Fifth Congressional District. Thus begins election coverage in my secondary newsletter.

fifthdistrict.substack.com/p/june-12-20...

Tourism bureau seeking input on future of the regional brand The community survey fulfils part of the CACVB’s strategic plan

The Charlottesville Albemarle Convention and Visitors Bureau is seeking input on what stories should be told as a way of attracting people to come to this community. A story from Friday's newsletter:

infocville.com/2025/06/10/t...

Actually, five stories. I forgot about the one about the zoning code lawsuit.

June 10, 2025: Duncan outraises Shreve in latest campaign finance reporting period Plus: Charlottesville Planning Commission learns more about forthcoming changes to Development Code

Four stories in today's newsletter including information that Charlottesville has to relocate the Buford polling place due to school construction. Also campaign finance reports for two races!

June 9, 2025: Inaugural director of Manning Institute for Biotechnology outlines vision to transform drug development process, create jobs Plus: A rezoning application in Crozet and Jaunt seeks community input

Six stories in today's newsletter. Are any of them any good? You'll have to read to find out!

Week Ahead for June 9, 2025: Albemarle PC to get update on county’s affordable housing efforts; Charlottesville PC to consider special exceptions for 24-unit apartment complex on Barracks Road Another look at what’s happening in local and regional government

What sort of a week will it be in local and regional government? Every Sunday I write up a preview of what's happening at local meetings. This week is one for three Planning Commissions and two Boards of Supervisors. Quesitons? I'll try to answer!

communityengagement.substack.com/p/week-ahead...

June 6, 2025: Albemarle Supervisors tie vote denies Woolen Mills floodplain request Plus: The owner of 1301 Wertland Street appeals to Charlottesville City Council to allow demolition of historic house

Four stories today:

*The developer of 1301 Wertland has appealed to Council to overturn the BAR's demolition denial

*CACVB has launched a story about the future of the brand

* Tie Albemarle Supervisors vote denies Woolen Mills floodplain permit

communityengagement.substack.com/p/june-6-202...

Duncan and Shreve answer questions at Free Enterprise Forum A brief summary of the May 21, 2025 forum for the Jack Jouett District seat on the Albemarle Board of Supervisors

Some thoughts:

1) Complete video of Free Enterprise Forum Jouett event is at bottom of this page.

infocville.com/2025/05/30/d...

2) IMPACT had May 14 forum \for Jouett and I'm working to get a recording and write it up.

3) Organizers of env. forum this week did not record. I am out of town.

VDOT seeking responses to two Project Pipeline surveys in Albemarle County Both survey covers an area that have recently been subject of other studies.

VDOT has two active "Project Pipeline" studies to get feed back. One is for the area around the I-64 and U.S. 29 interchange. The other is Fifth Street between south of I-64 and Harris Road. Links in this story: infocville.com/2025/06/05/v...

Sanders reduces contingency spending request after appearing on Sanctuary City list Sanders said he wants to keep more money on reserve in case of federal reductions

On Monday, City Council held the first reading in $8.69 million in spending from the city's Capital Improvement Plan contingency fund. That's lower than the $12M teed up in late May. Here's an updated story from yesterday's newsletter.

infocville.com/2025/06/05/s...