James River Exchange

Welcome to another James Exchange QuickTake. I am Nancy Gill, your host.

On the government side of things, Scottsville Town Council meets Monday evening, June 20 at 7:00. They have a relatively light schedule the highlight being an appointment to fill the vacated seat of Stuart Munson. Also,Town elections will be November 8th. The Town Council terms of Daniel Gritsko, Meredith Hynes, and Stuart Munson are ending this year. June 21 is the deadline for candidates to file with the Albemarle County voter registrar and willl need two forms of identification, a statement of qualifications (I believe proof of one year residency in Virginia), and a declaration of candidacy.Information on registering for public office.Or, contact Erin Davis, Elections Manager 1600 5th Street, ExtendedCharlottesville VA 22902Phone: 434-972-4173Fax: 434-972-4178Email                                                                                               

Public comments on Riverstone Solar in Buckingham ends on Monday , June 20. If you have concerns let them know. The public comment portal is on their website as well as their application.Comment and view application.

For more information on utility scale solar installations.

Juneteenth celebrations:

Saturday June 18:At 10:00 the Yancey Advisory Council is participating in the Jefferson School Parade in Charlottesville. Saturday is the Juneteenth Parade.They will walk down Rose Hill Drive to Preston Ave ending at the front lawn of Jefferson School.  At 11:30 a.m. we begin a whole day of food, music and dance scheduled on a main stage until 8pm. Over 30 Black businesses and organizations will have promotional tables set up as well.More information

In Buckingham from  11 AM to 4 PM1174 S Constitution Rte or Route 20All are welcome   FREEThis is the Straight Street building.

Sunday, June 19:In Scottsville at the Farmer’s Market at 3:00 there is a dedication ceremony commorating Minerva Lewis and her family.

From the Scottsville Museum’s newsletter:A hundred years ago she was the only Black female property owner in Scottsville.  Mrs. Lewis and her husband, George Washington Lewis, ran a grocery store and saloon on a site near the present-day farmers' market.  The building, damaged in Scottsville's floods, no longer stands, but the town intends to establish a shaded area near the plague where visitors can rest and reflect.

Wednesday, June 22 the batteux come to Scottsville. Come on down to welcome the boats by the river at Ferry Street. Around 2pm? It depends on the river. We'll have a block party at Canal Basin Square on Main Street, from 2pm to 9pm. Enjoy the music of Max Mohr, Conly Jones, Mike Mulvaney, and The Charlottesville Band.

Fourth of July info coming soon. And, I will be broadcasting the parade from my front yard this year.

On Father’s Day from the Sign Lady:I believe that what we become depends on what our fathers teach us at odd moments, when they aren’t trying to teach us! We are formed by the little scraps of wisdom. Umberto Eco

That’s is for today. As always, if you have a story, an issue, or just want to talk, contact me.

Welcome to the James Exchange. This episode is longer—perhaps the longest I have published—so take your time and listen to Mindy and Heidi!

For a deeper dive check out the following links:

Friends of Buckingham: Goldmining

Buckingham Community Bill of RightsLink to petition

James River Natural Community Rights

National Academies of Sciences Engineering and Medicine May 16 Community Engagement:NASAM Community Engagement Watch Party May 16

Local Voices from May 16 recorded by Heidi:Heidi Dhivya Berthoud    Mindy Zlotnick   Marie Flowers  Claire Horan (SELC)   Abhaya Thiele    Kenda Hanuman  Josh Vana 

Aston Bay Mining Company and Buckingham Mining

The Invisible Hand: DocumentaryDiscussion on The Invisible Hand With Heidi and Mindy

Maps:Abandoned Gold Mines in Buckingham

Gold-Pyrite Belt

Contact me if you have a story, an issue, or a conversation!

Welcome to a James Exchange Quick Take. I am Nancy Gill, your host. There are two major initiatives are happening in and on the land in Buckingham County.

THE FIRST ISSUE UTILITY SCALE SOLAR PROJECTS:Riverstone Solar: Beginning the permit processTomorrow, June 7 from 6:00-8:00pm, (Buckingham County VFW, located at 14405 W James Anderson Hwy, Buckingham) there is a public meeting with Apex Clean Energy on the Riverstone Solar which is slated to be on 2000+/- acres in Northern Buckingham roughly around Payne’s Pond and Bridgewater Roads. This meeting is the first that is required by the Department of Environmental Control. Commonwealth of Virginia.Review Apex Clean Energy/Riverstone Solar application

There is a 30-day comment period which began on May 21 and ends on June 20.Comment on Riverstone Solar

The Buckingham Board of Supervisors during a joint meeting with the Planning Commission on February 28 approved Riverstone Solar.February 28 meeting video

Tomorrow’s meeting is for Apex Clean Energy/Riverstone Solar to comply with DEQ regulatory process by:

(i) acquaint the public with the technical aspects of the proposed project and how the standards and requirements of the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Small Renewable Energy Projects (Solar) Permit by Rule (PBR) regulations will be met, (ii) identify issues of concern, (iii) facilitate communication, and (iv) establish a dialogue with persons who may be affected by the project.

For more information on this project contact:Riverstone Solar, LLCATTN: Jimmy Merrick120 Garrett Street, Suite 700Charlottesville, VA 22902(434) 568-9838[email protected]

And, physical copies of the documentation to be submitted to the DEQ in support of the Permit by Rule application will be available for inspection at the Buckingham County Administration Building, located at 13360 W James Anderson Hwy, Buckingham VA 23921 between the hours of 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM Monday through Friday.

The last time I reported on Riverstone Solar DEQ on March 29 issued a memorandum effective immediately that solar panels are an impervious surface which would cause all future projects and those in the planning stages would have to plan for this. They clarified the implementation of this in their April 14 memorandum.

For an understanding of these two memorandums:Virginia Mercury April 18 articleBay Journal April 26 article

Pineside Solar: A second utility scale solar project in BuckinghamDominion Energy has submitted an application for a second utility scale project to the Buckingham Planning Commission.

More general information on solar:https://nebula.wsimg.com/a10892dea54b49https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/murp_capstone/41/https://www.friendsofbuckinghamva.org/

THE SECOND: EXPLORATORY DRILLING UNDERWAYGold Mining: I had a conversation with Mindy Zlotnik and Heidi Dhivya Berthoud with: The Friends of Buckingham and Virginia Community Rights Network. This podcast will be available Wednesday morning.

Welcome to the James Exchange. In today’s episode, meet Charif Soubra with Southern Development Homes. We discussed topics from trails to theater-and of course the future plans for the tire plant and Paulette tract.

So listen in and meet Charif. My sense is you will be seeing a lot of him in the coming months, and perhaps years, in and around Scottsville.

Jeff, my canine companion, also made his views known!

As always, if you have a story, issue, or want to have a conversation contact me.

Welcome to another quick take from the James Exchange. I am Nancy Gill, your host.

This past Saturday I posted an episode that included a new proposal for an additional solar farm in Buckingham County. Dominion Energy is proposing the newest and in their descriptions indicate this will power 18,000 homes. Questions for them is: Where are the homes? In Buckingham? Or, does the solar energy feed the grid?

The Buckingham Board of Supervisors have passed the River Stone solar farm—a project of Apex Clean Energy which encompasses 2000+/- acres in about the same area as Pineside Solar which will be along Bridgeport and Route 20.

Dominion Energy is hosting an open house public meeting on this on this proposal later this afternoon. If you want to know more about this project, you need to attend in person as the meeting is not being live streamed or recorded.

Thursday, May 19, 20225:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.Agricultural Service Center54 Administration LaneBuckingham, VA 23921

I’m back! I am concentrating on two topics for this podcast. One is the latest, largest land acquisition in the Town of Scottsville. The second is yet another industrial solar farm is proposed in Northern Buckingham.

After owning a large portion of the Town of Scottsville since 1995, Virginia Land Company Dr. Charles Hurt has sold all his land holdings to Southern Development.

The sale includes 37 parcels: Mink Creek Estates comprises 28  2+/- acre lotsPaulette Tract: 146.271 acresOverlook Heights: 3 parcels totaling 11.27 acresUpper Bird: 18.869 acresLower Bird: 41.31 acres Plus 3 parcels that equal about an acre at Stony Point (Paulette Town)

For a total of 287.893 acres.Appraised value: $2,839,000Sale price: Undisclosed

To put this in perspective, this sale comprises 30% of Scottsville’s land mass. We can look at this as potential growth for the town, or not. 

What do we know about Southern Development? According to their website:

“We only want the best for our community, so we only work with the best local trade partners who live and work right here in Central Virginia. Unsurpassed knowledge, service and expertise result in quality homes we are proud to build. Our greatest reward is seeing satisfied customers and happy neighbors.”

Frank Ballif is the Founder and President of Southern Development Homes and Southern Development Group which is located in Charlottesville, Virginia.  

And, he has a comprehensive staff. The one I really want to talk to is:Charif Soubra is the Community Engagement Manager. He is the father of three, enjoys finding the next new hiking trail, eating at one of his favorite local restaurants, or performing within the local theater community.

I watched the promotional video on their website. And, I have one question:

They are about building communities…how will they work in a small town that cares deeply for its existing communities and character.

And this brings me to: What is Scottsville’s small town character. This is the topic of of a podcast I am working on.

I would like your views on what comprises Scottsville’s “Small Town Character.” There are other questions as well that relates to the comprehensive plan. SURVEY

Here we go again…What is up with Buckingham and industrial solar farms? (Perhaps, I need to have a podcast with Jordan Miles! Stay tuned…

From their website:“Our proposed Pineside Solar facility will generate up to 74.9 megawatts of electricity, enough to power just over 18,000 homes at peak output. The project will be located in the north portion of the county, along Route 20 near Bridgeport Road. If granted the necessary permits, the facility will be in service as soon as the end of 2026.”

Questions for them is: Where are the homes? In Buckingham? Or, does the solar energy feed the grid?

The Buckingham Board of Supervisors have passed the River Stone solar farm—a project of Apex Clean Energy which encompasses 2000+/- acres in about the same area as Pineside Solar which will be along Bridgeport and Route 20.

Dominion Energy’s Letter to the community

Pineside Solar webpage

Oh, I almost forgot…who remembers the dock that was supposed to be installed at Scottsville Lake? Well, it is going to happen! And, this is the first step toward creating handicap accessibility to VCNA!!!!

As always, if you have a story, comment, or issue contact me and let’s have a conversation.

I hope you have a great, rest of your weekend!

Lots of meetings this week. Schedule follows:

April 11 @ 7:00 pmScottsville Town Council Work SessionAgendaCall in: 301-715-8592, Meeting ID 880 5989 4673 and Pass Code 1744.

April 11 @ 6:00 pmBuckingham County Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission Joint MeetingNote: this is a link to the County’s official YouTube channel. Agenda is not available on their website. ”The Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission will be having a special meeting at the Buckingham Community Center on April 11th, 2022 at 6:00 PM to hear information about a potential land development.” from Buckingham website.April 12 @ 7:00 pmFluvanna Planning Commission MeetingAgendaMeeting ID: 889 6401 6741Passcode: 163700Dial by your location+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)Meeting ID: 889 6401 6741Passcode: 163700

April 13 @ 7:00 pmFluvanna Board of Supervisors MeetingAgendaMeeting ID: 868 3180 9748Passcode: 776941Dial by your location        1-301-715-8592 US (Washington D.C)Meeting ID: 868 3180 9748Passcode: 776941

On the agenda for this evening’s Scottsville Planning Commission Meeting:Site plan review for 153 James River Road  Preliminary plan approval Draft zoning for Scottsville Planned Unit Development (PUD)—In a nutshell, this has the potential for the highest level of control a municipality has on development. Staff report on transient lodgings 

Access online or call 301-715-8592, then enter meeting ID 895  5443 5233 and pass code 1744.

DEQ ruling effective immediatelyWill it affect the Riverstone Solar project in Buckingham County?

Contact me, if you have a story, a song, or an issue. I would love to have a conversation!

Lots of trash pick up going on in Southern Albemarle, Buckingham, and Fluvanna. I spoke with veteran road side trash collector, Terri Long, on her efforts and those of countless volunteers picking up trash along our roads. Liz Knotts, an avid collector of trash and coordinator of this effort for many years is to be commended along with Terri. For the record, Liz is a former Vice Mayor of Scottsville. I can tell you when we worked side-by-side, we picked up a lot of trash!

I love Scottsville and surrounds.

Enjoy Terri’s and my conversation!