Albemarle County hosting community meeting on the Rio+29 Small Area Plan

Albemarle County is hosting a community meeting on the Rio+29 Small Area Plan. The meeting will take place on Thursday at 6 pm at Jack Jouett Middle School.

The Rio+29 Small Area Plan is well underway. The project team has spent the summer conducting a site and market trend analysis, which used demographic and economic data as well as interviews, policy review, and on-the-ground observations to highlight current challenges and opportunities for redevelopment. The next step is to share these initial findings at the September 15 community meeting and to gather feedback on a future vision for the area , including:

• What kinds of buildings, businesses, and housing do you want (or not want) to see?
• How can bicycle and pedestrian facilities be improved?
• Where could parks and trails enhance this urbanized area?

The meeting will begin with a presentation by the project team and then break into small groups to talk about priorities and opportunities for the area. All of the ideas and discussion will be captured and used to inform the next phase of the project – the project team will be developing a few land-use alternatives which will identify the location and form that future development could take to achieve the future vision for the area. These land-use alternatives will be shared with the community later this year.

What is a Small Area Plan?

A Small Area Plan is a planning tool used to define a detailed plan for urban development and redevelopment in a focused area of strategic importance. The Rio+29 Small Area Plan will devise a vision for the area around Route 29 and Rio Road, and create a roadmap for implementation. The vision is guided by stakeholders that live, work, and play in and around the area and by the strategic goals adopted by the Board of Supervisors through the Comprehensive Plan, Places29 Master Plan, and Strategic Plan. The Plan will help incorporate the new Rio Road Grade-Separated Intersection with future land use, transportation and capital projects in the area.

To learn more about the Rio+29 Small Area Plan, please visit www.albemarle.org/rio29sap.