FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 14, 2023
Draft Zoning Ordinance: Consolidated Draft and Public Hearing
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – Consolidated draft Zoning Ordinance is now available; first Public Hearing scheduled for September 14.
Background
The City of Charlottesville Department of Neighborhood Development Services (NDS) 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 adopted as part of the Comprehensive Plan in November 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 at https://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.
Community Input on the Draft Zoning Ordinance Rewrite
- In summer 2022, NDS shared information about the draft approach to the zoning rewrite, and solicited community feedback at a large open house, at pop-up events, and via a feedback form. You can view a summary of activities and comments here.
- In February-June 2023, NDS shared the draft Zoning Ordinance in three parts, called “Modules.” During this period, there were six open house meetings, and the community was encouraged to share feedback at meetings, via email/website, via mail, or using a web form. You can view a summary of activities and input received here, under “community input and activities.” This feedback, along with comments from Planning Commission, City Council, the Cville Plans Together Steering Committee, and others, was all considered as potential updates to the draft Zoning Ordinance.
Review the Consolidated Draft Zoning Ordinance
Visit CvillePlansTogether.com/draft-zoning/ to view the updated Consolidated Draft Zoning Ordinance and related materials.
Planning Commission Public Hearing
The Charlottesville Planning Commission will hold a Public Hearing for the draft Zoning Ordinance rewrite on Thursday, September 14, 2023. The hearing will begin at 4:00 PM and will be held at City Hall - Council Chambers (605 East Main St) and virtually, via Zoom.
- At this meeting, the Planning Commission will hear public testimony related to the draft Zoning Ordinance. The Planning Commission will then consider whether to request changes to the draft, or to send it to the City Council for a hearing and vote. There will be additional announcements to share the date and time for the City Council hearing, once that is scheduled. If needed, Planning Commission deliberation on the Zoning Ordinance may continue to additional meetings in September.
- There are opportunities to provide testimony both virtually and in person during the meeting. If you wish to attend virtually, a meeting registration link will be available on the City’s Zoom Webinars page, https://www.charlottesville.gov/zoom.
- Materials will be available for viewing online no later than five days before the meeting on the City's meeting page, or can be obtained, upon request, from the Department of Neighborhood Development Services, 2nd Floor of City Hall, 610 East Main Street.
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 (freasj@charlottesville.gov) and Missy Creasy (creasym@charlottesville.gov).
Media Contact
David Dillehunt
Deputy Director of Communications & Public Engagement
City of Charlottesville
434-970-3114
dillehunt@charlottesville.gov
