Stream Buffers
Albemarle’s Natural Resources Plan suggests the protection of stream buffers as one measure to help restore the health of the Chesapeake Bay as well as “benefit the health of streams and rivers within the County.” Albemarle’s Rural Areas Plan states that “stream buffers" provide flood moderation, water quality protection, habitat and landscape connectivity for plants and animals, and recreational opportunities.” Being considered are changes which would extend to the entire Rural Area stream buffer requirements which now apply only to the watershed of the Rivanna River Reservoir.Watershed protection is about more than our drinking water, it’s about the quality and health of all of Albemarle’s water resources. We all benefit from healthy rivers, lakes and streams.

Driveway Standards
Albemarle’s Rural Areas Plan states that the County should “Set standards that limit the slopes and curvature of driveways in the Rural Areas to prevent erosion and provide safe access.” Such provisions would benefit residents and provide safety for police, fire, and rescue workers who may need to access that home. Verification of safe access is required at the final inspection of a new home. Doesn’t it make sense to resolve this before construction begins?
 
Family Subdivision
Albemarle’s Family Subdivision regulations permit the creation of lots for family members. These lots are “subject to a lesser review standard.” The Rural Areas Plan suggests revising the “time requirements for family ownership” of these new parcels so as to “discourage the resale of these lots for non-family related development.” The proposed revision would require land ownership for 4 years prior to a Family Subdivision; prior to the resale of any new lot the family member must then own the lot for 4 years. Currently, the only restriction is a 2-year ownership period after the new lot is created. The change is intended to reduce speculative abuse of a regulation that allows the creation of sub-standard lots. It will not prevent landowners from creating and gifting parcels to family members.

The County adopted the Mountain Protection Plan in 1998 and the Rural Areas Plan in 2005. Unfortunately, despite numerous work sessions and public hearings, they have yet to implement the most critical sections of those plans. Without public support on February 6th, these initiatives could be dismissed like two other key Rural Area Plan proposals— phasing and clustering—which three of the six Supervisors refused to support in 2006.

It’s time for the County to finally begin implementing the measures recommended by these plans. The Supervisors approved these plans with the community’s support. Now it’s time for them to be implemented. To make this happen, your voice is needed.

Read the specific changes from Albemarle's web site.