Biscuit Run work session #2

On April 18, 2006, the Albemarle County Planning Commission held its second formal work session on the rezoning request for the proposed Biscuit Run development.  The Planning Commission, planning staff, and the applicant discussed the development plans and potential environmental impacts to the existing terrain at this site in the County's designated growth area South of I-64 between Avon Street and 5th Street/Old Lynchburg Road. 

Charlottesville Tomorrow has produced two recordings of this event. This first of two recordings includes the start of the work session by Chair Marcia Joseph, a presentation on "Safe Routes to School" by Alia Anderson from Alliance for Community Choice in Transportation (ACCT), and a staff report by Senior Planner, Claudette Grant.  This is followed by a report from the engineer for the Biscuit Run development, Scott Collins.  A question and answer session with the Planning Commission and Mr. Collins completes the first recording.

Listen to podcast #1: Download 2006418_BiscuitRun-A.MP3

• Introduction by Chair Marcia Joseph
• 2:18 -- Claudette Grant introduces Alia Anderson from ACCT
• 2:50 -- Alia Anderson discusses the "Safe Routes to School" program that emphasizes student walking and biking to nearby schools
• 9:18 -- Questions for Ms. Anderson
• 15:08 -- Staff report by Claudette Grant, Senior Planner
• 18:58 -- Questions for Ms. Grant, Mr. Kelsey (County Chief Engineer), and Staff
• 32:34 -- Report by Scott Collins, Project Engineer
• 49:03 -- Questions for Mr. Collins

The second recording includes the remainder of the work session which focuses on specific environmental concerns raised by County staff to be considered by the Planning Commission. 

Listen to podcast #2: Download 2006418_BiscuitRun-B.MP3

The Planning Commission was asked to consider the following questions during the work session:

• Should disturbance of the significant environmental features shown on the Open Space Plan be allowed for the development?
• How should ecosystems in the Rural Areas affect the decision on whether or not the school and park area should be locating in the Rural Areas?
• How should woodlands be dealt with on the site?
• Should a different layout of the site be considered that would lessen the impacts and level of grading proposed with the existing plan?

The Planning Commission stated during the work session that before it could engage in a meaningful discussion on other important issues, such as the Neighborhood Model, historic resources, or impacts to schools, fire-rescue, and police, it needed a much better understanding of the traffic plans.  The developer is currently conducting a transportation study for the area around Biscuit Run for consideration as part of this rezoning request.  Future work sessions will focus on transportation issues.

Brian Wheeler