FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 3, 2022
Part 1 of the Draft Zoning Ordinance Available for Review
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – The City of Charlottesville is seeking input on the draft zoning ordinance, including the zoning districts and map.
Background & Overview
The City of Charlottesville Department of Neighborhood Development Services has been working in partnership with a consultant team on a three-part project called Cville Plans Together. Earlier efforts focused on creation of an Affordable Housing Plan (endorsed by the Council in March 2021) and updating Charlottesville’s Comprehensive Plan (adopted November 2021). The third and final part of this project is the zoning ordinance rewrite. You can find out more about the Cville Plans Together process and view materials from previous phases at cvilleplanstogether.com.
The Zoning Ordinance comprises a set of municipal laws that regulate the development of buildings and the use of land. It is an important factor in how the community manages and prepares for the growth and evolution of its physical space. You can learn more about zoning in the Zoning 101 overview posted on the Cville Plans together website.
The purpose of the zoning ordinance rewrite is two-fold:
- To ensure that the zoning ordinance effectively implements the Affordable Housing Plan and the newly updated Comprehensive Plan, including the Future Land Use Map, and
- To make other needed updates to streamline and clarify the ordinance.
We have posted a list of responses to frequently-asked questions about the Zoning Rewrite. You can view the FAQ here. This document will be updated as the Zoning Rewrite progresses.
Review Module 1 of the Draft Zoning Ordinance
The first step in updating the zoning ordinance rewrite was to identify the changes that are needed to the zoning ordinance and an approach for addressing them. Last summer, we shared the Zoning Diagnostic + Approach Report for community review; you can view the final version of that document here: cvilleplanstogether.com/draft-zoning.
Since fall 2022, we have been working to draft the zoning ordinance based on the Diagnostic + Approach Report. Over the next three months, we will begin sharing the draft zoning ordinance for community review and comment. This will happen in three parts (a.k.a. “modules”):
- Module 1: Zoning Districts, Rules of Measurement, Land Use Table, Zoning Map – Available now
- Module 2: Development Standards (landscaping, parking, signs, lighting, etc.) – Plan to release during the week of March 13
- Module 3: Zoning Administration (review processes) – Plan to release during the week of April 3
The dates above are subject to change; please continue to check the website for details.
Visit cvilleplanstogether.com/draft-zoning to view a variety of materials related to Module 1, including:
- Overview Letter
- Recorded Overview Presentation
- Executive Summary of Module 1
- Draft Zoning Districts and Rules
- Draft Zoning Map
- Interactive Map
- Zoning Map Overview by Neighborhood
- Shapefile (for use in GIS mapping)
- Topic of Interest Summaries (short summaries of how zoning is addressing housing affordability, transportation & infrastructure, environment & climate change, and historic preservation
If you would like to view a printed copy of the draft zoning materials, copies will be available to borrow from the Information Desk at the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library (201 E Market Street) no later than February 10th.
Share Your Feedback on Module 1 of the Draft Zoning Ordinance through March 31, 2023
The community review and comment period for Module 1 of the zoning rewrite extends through March 31. There are several ways to share your comments and questions:
- Online Feedback Form: Google Form
- Email
- Postal Mail
- Neighborhood Development Services, City Hall, P.O. Box 911, Charlottesville, VA 22902
Upcoming Events
Join us at an open house to learn more and share your feedback.
- February 22: Charlottesville High School (cafeteria), 6:00-8:30pm
- February 23: Buford Middle School (cafeteria), 6:00-8:30pm
- February 25: CitySpace, 11:00am-1:30pm
To stay up to date on upcoming opportunities to review materials and provide your input, please sign up for the project email list.
Questions related to this news release may be directed to James Freas, Director of Neighborhood Development Services, at freasj@charlottesville.gov.
Media Contact
David Dillehunt
Deputy Director of Communications & Public Engagement
City of Charlottesville
434-970-3114
dillehunt@charlottesville.gov