AC44 Phase One

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We have concluded Phase One of AC44.

The first phase of AC44 focused on growth management and planning for an equitable and resilient community. We reviewed the current Growth Management Policy during this phase, using equity, climate action, and capacity projections to guide our work. During this phase, we used feedback and input to develop a Framework for an Equitable and Resilient Community, which will be used to inform the upcoming phases of AC44. 

Read the Plan for Growth Background Report in StoryMaps (or in PDF version here: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3).

Current Growth Management Policy 

The County’s current Growth Management Policy comes from the 2015 Comprehensive Plan. The policy divides Albemarle County into designated Development Areas (which are currently approximately 5% of the county, or 37 square miles) and the Rural Area (which is currently approximately 95% of the county, or 689 square miles).  

The majority of new residential, commercial, retail, office, industrial, and mixed-use development is intended to be within the County's Development Areas. The Rural Area is envisioned to have limited residential development, and commercial and employment areas are intended to support existing rural communities. New uses or businesses in the Rural Area are expected to be mainly agricultural (such as farming) or related to forestry (such as logging). 

Get Involved

There are many opportunities for input throughout the Comprehensive Plan update. Please sign up to receive AC44 project updates and upcoming events. You can also reach out to the project team at ac44@albemarle.org with questions and comments.

The first phase of AC44 focused on growth management and planning for an equitable and resilient community. We reviewed the current Growth Management Policy during this phase, using equity, climate action, and capacity projections to guide our work. During this phase, we used feedback and input to develop a Framework for an Equitable and Resilient Community, which will be used to inform the upcoming phases of AC44. 

Read the Plan for Growth Background Report in StoryMaps (or in PDF version here: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3).

Current Growth Management Policy 

The County’s current Growth Management Policy comes from the 2015 Comprehensive Plan. The policy divides Albemarle County into designated Development Areas (which are currently approximately 5% of the county, or 37 square miles) and the Rural Area (which is currently approximately 95% of the county, or 689 square miles).  

The majority of new residential, commercial, retail, office, industrial, and mixed-use development is intended to be within the County's Development Areas. The Rural Area is envisioned to have limited residential development, and commercial and employment areas are intended to support existing rural communities. New uses or businesses in the Rural Area are expected to be mainly agricultural (such as farming) or related to forestry (such as logging). 

Get Involved

There are many opportunities for input throughout the Comprehensive Plan update. Please sign up to receive AC44 project updates and upcoming events. You can also reach out to the project team at ac44@albemarle.org with questions and comments.

  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Questionnaire #1: Current Policy and Priorities

    Thank you to everyone who participated in this questionnaire. Review the responses.

    We are currently in Phase 1 of the AC44 Update, which is focused on Planning for Growth. To learn more about the update process you can view Part 1 of the Planning for Growth Background Report: AC44 Intro & Background. 

    The County’s current Growth Management Policy comes from the 2015 Comprehensive Plan. The current Growth Management Policy is to:  

    Promote the efficient use of County resources through a combination of:

    • protecting the elements that define the Rural Area: agricultural resources, forestry resources, land preservation, land conservation, water supply resources, natural resources, scenic resources, historic, archeological, and cultural resources; and
    • promoting the Development Areas as the place where a variety of land uses, facilities, and services exist and are planned to support the County's future growth, with an emphasis placed on density and high-quality design in new and infill development.

    Albemarle County has had a similar growth management policy in place since the first Comprehensive Plan, which was adopted in 1971. Since 1971 the Development Areas boundaries and forms of development that are envisioned there have changed and evolved. To learn more about the history of growth management in the County visit Part 2 of the Planning for Growth Background Report by clicking the image below:

    When we use the term growth management we are talking about establishing a vision and policy for where and how growth occurs in Albemarle. It is important to note that when we use the term growth management, we are not talking about regulating in-migration and births; that is population control, which is not our goal with the growth management policy, nor is it something the County can legally regulate.   

    As we consider an update to the Growth Management Policy, we are looking for your feedback on what is important in how we Plan for Growth with the following questions. We expect this questionnaire to take around 10 minutes to fill out. Each response is recorded individually. If you aren't able to respond to every question all at once, you may come back at any time and complete the survey.  

    We have concluded Phase One of AC44.
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  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Share Your Thoughts: Land Use Buildout Analysis

    The Land Use Buildout Analysis is designed to establish an understanding of the County’s 20-year population growth projections (and the associated needs for new housing, businesses, and services) compared with the maximum theoretical buildout potential of land within the County’s designated Development Areas. The analysis is based on the Comprehensive Plan’s future land use designations for Development Area parcels (found within the Development Area Master Plans). The analysis utilizes assumptions based on existing conditions, current trends, and historical development patterns within the county to estimate buildout totals for each of five real estate categories: residential, retail, office, industrial, and hotel. The approved and proposed residential development projects, or the ‘development pipeline’ are also included in the residential buildout estimates.

    Our Project Team presented a summary of the methodology, assumptions, and initial findings from the Land Use Buildout Analysis. The presentation also summarizes some of the limitations of the findings and some of the current challenges with developing a property to its maximum buildout potential based on a property’s future land use designation.

    Access the Presentation

    We have concluded Phase One of AC44.
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  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Questionnaire #2: Growth Management Options

    Thank you to everyone who participated in this questionnaire. Review responses here.

    Please watch the following video to see an overview of the current growth management policy, why and how we are reviewing the policy, and how we can consider equity, climate action, and planning for growth.

    To review more detailed presentations, reports, and information please click the links below:

    In this questionnaire, we will ask you to consider Growth Management Options that build on the current growth management policy and also support goals for equity, climate action, and planning for growth. The options presented are not intended to be choices, but to present a range of opportunities that could serve as a group of policy tools to support our future land use.

    We have concluded Phase One of AC44.
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  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Questionnaire #3: Big Ideas

    Thank you to everyone who participated in this questionnaire. Review responses here.

    In this questionnaire, we would like your feedback on each of the four draft Big Ideas. Do they meet your vision for our community? Do they guide us toward a more equitable and resilient community? We will use your input to refine the draft Big Ideas and develop them into a Framework for an Equitable and Resilient Community. This Framework will be used to guide the upcoming phases of our Comprehensive Plan Update.

    Please review the slides below before you begin the questionnaire. These slides provide an overview of AC44, where we are in the process, how we can consider equity and climate action, and the draft Big Ideas.



    We have concluded Phase One of AC44.
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  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Post-Event Questionnaire (In-Person Roundtables: 9/15/22)

    Thank you for participating in the Community Roundtable at Yancey on 9/15/22.

    Please complete this questionnaire after you take the "museum walk" to review the notes from other group discussions.

    We have concluded Phase One of AC44.
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  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Post-Event Questionnaire (Virtual Roundtables: 9/20/22)

    Thank you for participating in the virtual Community Roundtable on 9/20/22.

    Please complete this questionnaire after you take the "museum walk" to review the notes from other group discussions.

    We have concluded Phase One of AC44.
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  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Post-Event Questionnaire (Virtual Roundtables: 9/1/22)

    Thank you for participating in the virtual Community Roundtable on 9/1/22.

    Please complete this questionnaire after you take the "museum walk" to review the notes from other group discussions.

    We have concluded Phase One of AC44.
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