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  • Draft Chapter: Development Areas Land Use

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    Chapter Summary

    This chapter outlines Albemarle County's plan for land use, development, and quality of life in the Development Areas through 2044, focusing on housing choice, walkability, and accommodating projected growth while preserving the Rural Area. Here’s a summary of the draft document:

    Overview of Growth Management

    • Growth Management Policy (GMP): Established in 1971, this policy aims to protect the Rural Area while concentrating residential and business development in designated Development Areas. It is more cost-effective and efficient to provide public services and infrastructure such as public water, sewer, and multimodal transportation infrastructure to denser and connected development.
    • Population Projections: As of mid-2023, Albemarle County has a population of approximately 115,676, with over half living in Development Areas. By 2044, the population is expected to grow by about 31,000 people, with plans to accommodate most of this growth in the Development Areas.

    Vision for the Development Areas

    The vision for the Development Areas is a vibrant urban environment with features such as pedestrian-friendly designs, mixed-use developments, and interconnected streets.

    Objectives for the Development Areas

    • Increase the use of infill, higher density development, adaptive reuse, and redevelopment in the Development Areas.
    • Increase the number of jobs and housing units in designated Activity and Employment Centers.
    • Invest in existing neighborhoods in the Development Areas with increased connectivity and equitable access to Activity Centers, parks, open space, community facilities and services, and infrastructure improvements that prioritize under-served communities.
    • Increase tree coverage in the Development Areas, prioritizing neighborhoods with tree coverage below the County's Development Areas average tree coverage and neighborhoods with significant impervious surface.

    Defining Development Areas

    • Development Areas: These are specific areas within the county designed for higher-density and mixed-use developments. The aim is to utilize public infrastructure efficiently and create livable spaces while protecting natural, historic, scenic, and cultural resources.
    • Utilization Review: Starting in 2026, the County will conduct biennial reviews to assess how well the Development Areas are accommodating projected growth and achieving the vision and objectives for the Development Areas.

    Land Use Tools

    The plan employs several tools to guide development, along with the Actions:

    1. Future Land Use Categories: These define the types of residential, non-residential, recreation, and conservation land uses encouraged for future development, redevelopment, and conservation throughout the county. Each property in the county is assigned a land use category. Categories include primarily residential, mixed-use, commercial and employment, public/recreation, and rural/conservation.
    2. Future Land Use Map (FLUM): This map visually represents where the future land use categories have been applied.
    3. Community Design Guidelines: These guidelines encourage connected and mixed-use development with access to open and recreational spaces.
    4. Activity and Employment Centers: Designated locations to foster mixed-use developments and job creation.

    In summary, in coordination with the other Comprehensive Plan chapters, this chapter presents a comprehensive strategy for managing growth in Albemarle County while encouraging high-quality and connected development. The emphasis is on creating vibrant neighborhoods offering diverse housing options and amenities while protecting the Rural Area's natural, historic, scenic, and cultural resources.