Welcome to Monday Matters, July 5th, 2021. I am Nancy Gill, the host of The James Exchange. This week it seems Monday is now Tuesday, compliments of the Fourth of July celebrations. So, on Tuesday, July 6, the Public Safety Committee with Chief Vohwinkle meets at 6:00 and the Scottsville Planning Commission at 7:00. The regular first Monday of the month schedule resumes in August.
The Planning Commission is perhaps the most important committee as they are charged with all things zoning. The members have been extremely busy over the past four years with an update to the comprehensive plan, the development of the Downtown Small Area Plan, and updating our zoning ordinances. The commission reviews all zoning applications, do the research, hold public hearings, and then either recommends or does not recommend applications to Town Council. The council makes the final decision based on the Commissions’ work and additional input at a second public hearing. For more information on their work, visit https://www.scottsville.org/government/charter-committees/planning-commission.
On Tuesday, they have what appears to be a light agenda. However, under old business is Zoning Ordinance updates, and under new business, they will be discussing goals for this fiscal year. Both of these topics, I am sure, they will have an in-depth discussion. The meeting will be held in Council Chambers at 401 Valley Street. For the zoom experience call 301-715-8592, then enter meeting ID 895 5443 5233 and passcode 1744. Or for the personal touch, stop by and experience the proceedings in person.
Musings On A Conversation:
This evening I stopped by the brewery to talk with Matthew for a little while. A couple, who live north of Keene, came in to escape packing their house for a move to Northern Virginia. We struck up a conversation. We discussed a myriad of topics, mainly the future of Scottsville. The comment was made that in a few years we would be a Crozet. As the conversation progressed, I realized that there are quite a few who think Crozet is a town. It is not, and has been designated as a growth area in the county. What this means is the residents do not have a governmental structure that defines zoning. This falls under the authority of Albemarle County. Why is this relevant to the Planning Commission meeting tomorrow evening? We, the Town of Scottsville, control our growth. Scottsville and Albemarle have shared responsibilities, such as building inspections. The conversation was so pertinent to the processes the town has been going through for the past five years.
More Musings On The Parade:
This Fourth of July marked the 107th Scottsville parade. And, it was the time in several years I was a spectator and not a participant. It was good old-fashioned fun! I mixed and mingled with visitors who set up shop in my front yard, shouted out to those I knew, helped kids pick up candy, and put my camera to use—something else I haven’t done in years! About a month ago, I was organizing the attic and came across a t-shirt that the town sold years ago. It has one of the old Scottsville logos on it and a flag on the back with the words “Celebrating Independence Day Since 1776. I found it in the attic…a leftover from Mary Hardy’s collection. I loved the chatter of those standing around me, made friends with a couple of dogs, and was amused at the firetrucks competing which each other on who had the loudest siren. It was a good day to see people out and about again.
As The James Exchange rolls out more features, there will be a listing of public meetings in Albemarle, Buckingham, Fluvanna, and the towns of Dillwyn and Scottsville.
Next week’s Monday Matters will have more on the Town Council’s June 21st public meeting which fits into our zoning theme.
This week’s Friday Forward will have events for folks to enjoy throughout our area and a segment on the James River Batteau Festival.
Have a great week!
The James Exchange: Monday Matters 7.5.21