AC44 Monthly Digest: March 2022

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Welcome to the AC44 monthly digest for the County’s Comprehensive Plan update! This is where we’ll share the work we’ve done over the past month, the feedback we heard, and upcoming opportunities to participate.  


Because the Comprehensive Plan involves so many different interests, this monthly newsletter is being shared with everyone who has subscribed to one or more County email lists. More frequent AC44-specific updates will be sent to AC44 subscribers.


To subscribe to the AC44 list, please visit this webpage and check the box next to "Albemarle 2044 - Comprehensive Plan Update"

What We Did

The AC44 Comprehensive Plan Update kicked off in early 2022, with the AC44 website and a call for applications for the AC44 Working Group. Your response to the call for applications was tremendous, with 102 applicants! Due to the high volume of responses, we are still working through the applications and considering additional ways for all the applicants to get involved.


Behind the scenes, our project team has continued to gather data on existing conditions and recent trends in the county. This data is focused on the ways community members live, work, and travel in Albemarle County and how and where we may have room to grow within our existing Development Areas. We plan to start sharing this data in the upcoming workshops and pop-ups. Stay tuned to learn more! 

What We Heard

In February, we held four pop-up events across the county using our Let’s Talk Albemarle van. We also held two virtual kickoff events to share an overview of the project and how to apply to the Working Group. These events were focused on sharing information about the AC44 timeline, project outcomes, and ways to get involved. We heard an overwhelming response and interest from community members who want to get involved in this process.

Ways to Participate

In April and May, we will continue work on Phase 1: Plan for Growth, with in-person and virtual ways for the community to provide feedback. We will share information about the current Growth Management Policy and the history of growth management in the county. We will be asking for community members to share their lived experiences as well as input on what an updated growth management policy should prioritize.  


We will hold the first round of engagement by providing multiple ways to get involved: in-person pop-ups at several locations around the county, a virtual office hours session, and an online questionnaire. The content and opportunities for input will be the same at each location.  

Do you think you will visit one of our pop-ups or attend a virtual session?
Yes
No

About the Comprehensive Plan

AC44 (or Albemarle County 2044) is the project name for the County’s Comprehensive Plan update and is one of the ways the County is planning for an inclusive and resilient future. The Comprehensive Plan sets priorities and serves as a guide for the future physical development of Albemarle County. The Plan includes recommendations for how and where the county should grow, supporting local businesses and industry, protecting and enhancing natural resources, providing transportation options for walking, biking, taking transit, and driving, and allowing and encouraging a variety of housing types.   


The goals for the project are to: 

  • Update plan content to reflect recent county-wide strategic initiatives including climate action planning, economic development, and multi-modal transportation planning. 
  • Ensure that equity is integrated into the engagement process and the updated plan content, consistent with the County’s recently added “Community” organizational value. 
  • Improve Plan usability by articulating clearly prioritized goals, incorporating metrics for tracking progress, and applying a modern, streamlined document design. 


The Comprehensive Plan will be updated in a four-phased approach, with the adoption of the final Comprehensive Plan expected in late 2024. We are currently in Phase 1: Plan for Growth, which will be focused on the County’s Growth Management Policy


Why the name 'Albemarle County 2044 (AC44)’?

The process to update the Comp Plan kicked off in early 2022 and is anticipated to be completed by the fall of 2024. When adopted, the Comp Plan will be in effect from 2024 to 2044 with periodic updates, in response to changing conditions and trends in the county. 'AC44' is an abbreviation of the full project name.

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Meet Our Team

We have a talented, multidisciplinary team working on AC44. Contact us by phone or email: AC44@albemarle.org -or- (434) 296-5832 ext. 3272

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Rachel Falkenstein

Planning Manager

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Tori Kanellopoulos

Senior Planner II

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Mariah Gleason

Urban Designer

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Ben Holt

Senior Planner II

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Zoe Larive

Planning Intern

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Serena Gruia

Public Engagement Coordinator

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Dr. Irtefa Binte-Farid

Coordinator for Equity & Accountability

Have You Visited Our Online Engagement Center?


We are looking forward to providing you with a variety of robust tools designed to enable you to share your expertise, ideas, and feedback with us on a regular basis.


Please visit the site and register to access current and future projects.

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We have a new podcast! The Let’s Talk Albemarle podcast seeks to foster community participation through the exploration of important topics in Albemarle County. Listen free on Apple Podcast, iHeart, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, or our website.

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