James River Exchange

Halloween is on Sunday, October 31 with Trick or Treating and Trunk & Treat on schedule to start around 4:00. Due to the anticipated rain due to flow into Town on Friday the Edgar Allen Poe radio show presentation will be able to move from Friday to Saturday at 7:00 At Canal Basin Square. Doesn’t look like the dog parade is a go. Matt explains all!

Lots going on this weekend. Esmont has a packed day at the Yancey School Community Center.8:3011:30 Roadside trash pick-up for Southern Albemarle communities.11:30 Community Lunch and basket making with Highland1:00-3:00 Community Cares: an organization of African American ministers who provide household goods to the community5:00 Gather for more events in the Garden7:00 Coco a family friendly filmAnd, you get to meet great people! Let’s keep building our Southern Albemarle—and beyond community!

I will have Scottsville happenings later this afternoon!

There was a shooting incident in the Uptown Scottsville Shopping Center on Saturday, October 23, 2021 around 4:00 pm. This took place in the parking lot on the south east side of the property. CBS 19 reported that Joshua Martez Scott, 33 of Charlottesville has been arrested and charged.

Mr. Scott left the scene of the incident with his victim in the car. He was later arrested by Albemarle County Police on Rt. 20 South. At this point, she was transported to the hospital where she underwent surgery. According to a friend of hers on FaceBook, she is in stable condition. To clarify: Rt. 20 south in this instance would be between Scottsville and Charlottesville because to us 20 South is Buckingham.

Now to straighten out a few facts. It is being circulated through the most accurate Scottsville rumor mill that the couple had argued while in the Luv’n Oven Restaurant. This is not true. In fact, no body saw them in the restaurant. Acting Police Chief Gary Pistulka, confirmed this. When I spoke with Donita Seal she stated, “I didn’t even know there had been shots fired. And, if there was a domestic incident in Luv’n Oven, I would have called 911.” 

This is an ongoing investigation by the Albemarle Police Department.

For a good word for Luv’n Oven, they have a fantastic Rueben—And, this is my opinion!

This Saturday, October 30 the final “Love Albemarle” is having the final community clean-up.

Meet at Yancey Community Center and then depart in teams to various locations around Esmont, Keene, Scottsville, and North Garden. This clean-up will focus on small roadside litter. Gloves, safety vests, and pickers will be provided. We also suggest bringing drinking water and wearing close-toed shoes and/or long pants for clean-up day. Let's Love Albemarle and keep our community litter-free!

* Where: Yancey School Community Center, 7625 Porters Rd, Esmont, VA 22937.

* When: Saturday, October 30, 8:30 am - 11:30 am

And at one of my favorite places, the Scottsville Library has two events this week:Amy Wu and the Patchwork Dragon: Thursday, October 28 3:00 to 4:00 in the garden. (Rain cancels the event)Join us outside at The Scottsville Library for a special storytime! On October 28th, we will join people across the country and the world in reading  Amy Wu and the Patchwork Dragon! This initiative is part of "Read for the Record"'s annual communal read. After the story, we will have fun creating our own unique dragons!

This is geared toward Children—Preschool.

Scottsville’s Spooktacular Storytime: Friday, October 29: 10:30 to 12:00. 

This is for Adults, Teens and Children.

Also on Friday, it is Puppy Parade and Happy Hour!

Scottsville loves its pups, and Halloween magic! Come on down and explore the town with your furry friend, in costume. All are welcome! A puppy parade start on Valley Street—look for the assembly area) and will go to Canal Basin Square on Main Street at 6pm, and judges will award the Silliest, Spookiest, and other prizes in partnership with local businesses!

This event uses Scottsville's ABC license for outdoor refreshment areas. Our restaurants will have to-go drink special for adults to enjoy downtown, within the marked area of Valley and Main Streets.

Stick around for the Persimmon Tree Players' outdoor performance of "The Edgar Allan Poe Afterlife Radio Hour" at 7pm at Canal Basin Square.

Dogs are also very welcome in the Town's parks! There is a mile of trails at Van Clief Nature Area, and a half mile of levee walk. No alcohol allowed in the parks, though.

Halloween has returned to Scottsville and all are welcome on Sunday, October 30 to join in the festivities. Trick-or-treating goes from 4:00 to around 7:00.

Trunk of Treat will be at the Farmers’ Market from 5:00 to 7:00. This event is sponsored by Atlee Church, Scottsville Baptist Church, and St. Anne’s Episcopal Church.

Also this week, the Planning Commission has called a special meeting for Tuesday, October 26 starting at 7:00 in the Council Chambers in Victory Hall. Hot topics include a discussion on public comment and engagement practices, Zoning Map Amendment to Commercial, 153 James River Road, Zoning Text Amendment, Flood Hazard Overlay, Zoning Text Amendment, Parking, and a closed session.

This is it for today. I will be back with more on the Convenience Center the County has slated for the Keene area.

Welcome to the James Exchange, all things Scottsville and our surrounding communities. I am your host, Nancy Gill. This episode has been a tough one to track down details on. The question on the table is whether or not our Town Council limits public speech to only those who live within the boundaries of Scottsville. This was brought to Council’s attention at their last public meeting on Monday, October 18 by Matthew Holt. He mentioned several items I will address in his comments during the public session period of the meeting. 

I have left time stamps in the text so anyone can go to recordings whether on public meetings or my podcasts to hear the discussion for themselves. (Note: I have gotten the timestamps of audio clips as close as possible).

Mayor Smith: So is there anyone from the public who wishes to speak on an item that is not on the agenda?

• 12:18 - 12:20 

Okay. Matthew, tell everybody who you are.

• 12:20 - 12:54 

Well I'm Matthew Holt. I work here in town. I just have something I want to bring up. I noticed what's happening after the two planning meetings ago. And what happened was the Shari was reporting. And the question was whether or not the people that were against the Upper Bird, whoever was against it, or the rezoning (kick-back?), uh, whether or not they were residents.

That was the first time I ever really heard that. And then at the next meeting, when we spoke at the , say whether or not they were residents, and then at the planning meeting, anyone spoke publicly, had to give their address. So it seems to be, at least how I look at it, it seems to me that there's a segregation of public opinion or the possibility. And I want to point out that Scottsville financially exists because of the Greater Scottsville area and supportive and seeking people outside of town.

We know for good reason, the residents don't support the town financially with their taxes. We know that we've got a levee out of it. We got a lot of good services from Albemarle county. We know that there's no way. But, without the support of the Greater Scottsville area (inaudible).

And I really don't think that their voices should be segregated out. That just for me to work here in town, on my side of the road, there's one building that's owned by the person who owns this resides in Charlottesville. This side of the road, one person owns the building his business is in. His residence is in Buckingham. We go down Main Street, there's about three buildings, where people run their businesses. None of them are residents.

So if you want to segregate out the voice of non-residents, then you could probably say the Chamber of Commerce. You can segregate out all the businesses and the people who come here and support. I've been coming to these meetings since January. I don't remember a discussion as to whether or not non residents or residents have different weight. It was suggested to me that it was those that had the vote have voice.

So I'm hoping that's not happening, but I really think if you were going to segregate it that should be a discussion. There should be a motion. There should be the second, and then you should vote for public record. But if not, then I don't think it's really right. You sit there and decide or make people announce whether or not they are residents. This is it. We're all from the Scottsville area. We all financially support here. We come here and set up our businesses. We take our chances to set up up businesses. We do a lot of stuff.

I just don't live in the town Thank you.

• 15:26 - 16:00 

Thank you, Matthew. It's a good point that you make. And I think what we should do perhaps is either next work session or one of the next couple of work sessions, we'll have that on our list of things to talk about. And I know you usually come to the work sessions too, so you'll be able to listen to that conversation. So we will let you know, you can check with, uh, before the work session with Matt or Thomas and find out if we're going to talk about at that particular second Monday in November, or we're going to wait till December to do it. Okay? Thank you for bringing that forward.

For the record, 515 Valley Street is currently owned by a town resident where he is running a very successful restaurant. I know this is a minor detail, but in our world of fact being fiction and fiction being fact, I want to know the real fact.

In a previous podcast titled “Scottsville Who Are We” I spoke to many of the comments regarding the Greater Scottsville Area and who supports the town. Additionally, the Chamber of Commerce has been an agenda item on the Town’s work session for several years.

This leads me to the phrase, “segregation of public opinion.” Matthew used this to illustrate the procedure of requesting speakers at public sessions and public hearings to state their name and address. This is purely procedural and is for the public record. It has been in practice before I started serving on Council in 2006. With my experience on Council and as Mayor along with conversations I have had with Shari Lambert I have never experienced “segregating the voice.” We have listened to everyone who has wanted to speak before any body whether elected or appointed. Everyone’s comments and concerns have been taken into consideration. I understand the point that is being made, and have had numerous discussions with Thomas Unsworth on what the Code of Virginia states on this. I have also spoken with Claudette Borgersen, the Clerk for the Board of Supervisors. The upshot is, and I reiterate, this is a procedural issue for localities to work out. Claudette did inform me that the General Assembly’s only requirement is that municipalities need to have quarterly public sessions for constituents to speak at. Other than that the Code of Virginia “is silent” on this issue. Albemarle does have a participation guide which can be accessed on their website at this address:

https://www.albemarle.org/government/board-of-supervisors/public-meeting-participation-guide

Perhaps it is time Scottsville puts pen to paper on this issue because in today’s political and racially charged climate, we do not need any rhetoric suggesting segregation of any kind perceived or real. In fairness, I will be reaching out to Matthew to have a conversation with him on this.

I was somewhat confused when Matthew credited Shari Lambert with reporting on how many non-residents spoke at the public hearing on the Special Use Applications for the Bird and Blenheim proposals. She reported on this after being asked the question by a Councilor Gritsko. It surprises me that this was not corrected after Matthew spoke. On my October 4 podcast, I had a conversation with Shari and asked specifically how she would handle non-residents who wished to speak before the Planning Commission. The following is an excerpt:

• 8:14 - 8:48 

Talk about inclusiveness, as you know, we're a very small town of 600, but yet we serve between 15,000 and 20,000 in a 10 to 15 mile radius of Scottsville and decisions that are made right here by the planning commission and town council impact these people as well, not just people living here. So how do you recognize the voice of someone not living in the town versus the one that does live in the town?

• 8:49 - 9:26 

I think because of my very wide background and working with people of walks of life, many nations in the world, all kinds of different social stratus that I've learned to hear wisdom, no matter the voice. And then when people take the time to share things with me that sometimes you have to pick the meat off and spit out the bones for a lack of a better term, because, you know, there are times that things are very emotional, the topics are emotional.

And I do understand that there has been some history, especially surrounding development that has caused some problems and some hurt and some offense in the past. But one thing that I have tried to explain to people that approach me is that I cannot do anything about the wr…

Just when you think Scottsville couldn’t have more going on, major changes with our Police Department reach fruition. I spoke with Mayor Ron Smith regarding this and other interesting tidbits.

I want to start this episode with a story. Prior to moving here, I took cello lessons for three years with Mary Hardy. One evening instead of a lesson, she dragged me to a Town Council meeting because they were discussing the arts. Of course, I went. Some may remember the previous chambers were located where the offices are now. The dais took up one third of the room. And, Mayor Thacker always sat in a chair outside what used to be his office. Mary spoke of the importance of the arts and how they help build and sustain a community. Those who knew her remember her flowing skirts and colorful tops, but mostly it’s her passion for her creative work and the people she taught. She spoke to the inclusivity the arts provided, and the demographics of her students supported her words. She taught families of all socio-economic backgrounds and from diverse cultures. This welcoming inclusiveness was my initial experience with Scottsville.

The next speaker wasn’t quite so inclusive. I paraphrase her words, but she basically said, “We welcome everyone to come to Scottsville and spend their money so long as they leave.”

The dichotomy of these two messages left a lasting impact on me. At last week’s Planning Commission meeting several speakers asked “Who are we?” 

I heard that we are a welcoming community, but we don’t want any more houses in town. I wonder, do more houses make us an unwelcoming community? Do we want to welcome young families to have a small town to raise their children in? Or, do we want to shut them out? Do we want to welcome our aging population to stay in a community they have lived in for decades? Or, do we want to send them to an institution to live out their final years? Do we want to welcome young professionals who can tele commute and add value to our businesses? Or, do we want to shut them out? (As an aside, for our business community broadband-fiber is available).

Then I heard about infrastructure. Yes, the roads are an issue. Over 7,000 cars travel through Scottsville from Buckingham and Fluvanna to points north. Town Council and staff have a working relationship with VDOT. 

Other infrastructure issues mentioned were water and sewer and the A. Raymon Thacker Flood Control System.

In 2018, Rivanna Authorities completed an upgrade to a Granulated Activated Carbon system to the water treatment plants. At the time, the Scottsville system was at one third capacity. The tank on Blenheim Road is never filled completely because drinking water has a limited shelf life.

The A. Raymon Thacker Flood Control System is a major concern. When Sarah Wood spoke to what could happen should the dam behind Doug’s Maytag should be breached, Scottsville’s downtown area would be devastated. This system, which includes Scottsville Lake, the dam, the levee, and the pump station. This system is regularly maintained with scheduled inspections by The Army Corp of Engineers and the Department of Conservation and Recreation. During a flood incident, our Fire Department and some community members spend upwards of 72 straight hours of pumping water from the Mink Creek to the James River. 

Wouldn’t it be nice to have more people in our town available to volunteer for our Fire Department and participate in flooding instances?  

To the two applications before the Planning Commissions purview there is one glaring difference. The Bird Street proposal comes out of the West Downtown Small Area Plan that the Commission and Town Council worked on for more than two years. The Blenheim proposal is wide open. Perhaps it is wise to go through the same process on Blenheim as west side of Downtown Scottsville. The Paulette tract is over 200 acres. And, to Sarah Wood’s and Caitlyn Walls comments, the Mink Creek runs through this entire parcel. It is the Mink Creek that has historically flooded Scottsville, and this needs to be of paramount importance to any development in this area.

At their November meeting, Planning Commission will vote on whether to recommend or not the applications to Town Council. Regardless of their decision, Council will go through the same process that the Commission did. However, where the Commission had ninety days to review, Council’s time is indefinite. This allows them the opportunity to study the Commissioners’ work and negotiate with the applicant on any issue brought up by the public and/or the Commission.

Now it is time for “We don’t want to be a Crozet or Columbia.” 

Columbia is a nonstarter. First, they never had a thriving downtown or uptown area that Scottsville has. Secondly, they are not protected from the James River.

Crozet is far more interesting to talk about. First, Crozet is not an incorporated town. Secondly, it is a growth area for the County. With this, Crozet falls under the jurisdiction of the County’s Planning Department. As an incorporated town, Scottsville has its own Planning Commission with a membership requirement of being a resident. It is the planning commission’s job to do the initial review, fact gathering, public hearings on all applications. This is where the process is currently, and it is to the Commissioners credit that the public hearings on Bird and Blenheim were held early on which allows public comments to be an integral part of the process. 

So, the question is: Geographically will Scottsville ever become a Crozet? The answer is only if it reverts to the County by giving up its independent town status. The challenge is how will Scottsville maintain its culture of being an historic river town that is said to be welcoming and inclusive?

When I first came on Council in 2006, it was understood that develop was detrimental to the Town. I will admit, I went along with this. Then I happened to be in Palmyra one Saturday afternoon and a friend and I stopped into a restaurant on the outskirts of Lake Monticello. It was around 5:30 and there was one other table occupied. When we left 45 minutes later there was a waiting line out the door. I changed my thoughts on no growth. It was apparent that people from the Lake came out for dinner. It became apparent to me that we needed more people in our town who could support our businesses, especially the restaurants. It is our restaurants that collect the meals tax that is our highest source of revenue. If our residents are not supporting our businesses, then, quite frankly, they don’t have “any skin in the game.” We have been intentional in not bringing back the second layer of property tax on our property owners. 

This brings me to the last two comments I have heard over the years. The first, “Scottsville doesn’t support its own.” The second, “Let’s take a bet on how long that business lasts.” 

It is time for us to say who we are as a town. Based on my personal experiences, I believe we are a welcoming and inclusive community. Yet, I hear from others that say we are, but don’t necessarily back it up with their actions.

So, Scottsville, who are we?

In this episode you meet Ella and Jake. Ella is a 7th grader and Jake is 7. I think you will enjoy their conversation as much as I did. It is always important to understand the perspective of our young generation, and how things like the pandemic affect them. I hope to have conversations with more youngsters as we move forward with this podcast.

I will be back Tuesday morning with my take on the Scottsville Planning Commission’s public hearing that was held on October 4th.

Good Afternoon! As Scottsville enters into the next phase of actually reviewing housing development plans, it is up to Shari Lambert to steer the ship. And, she appears to be “steady as you go.”

In this episode we discuss her role as a Town Councilor and Chair of the Planning Commission, the length of the meetings—they have gone from ten minutes to over two hours in the past five years, how do decisions made in Scottsville affect our neighbors, and what Shari thinks is the greatest challenge facing our Town.

Enjoy the show!

Good Morning on this fine Friday: the first day of October 2021. I am dedicating this episode of the James Exchange to Monday’s Planning Commission meeting. 

Change is in the air. And, I don’t mean just the new alarm siren on the pump station which everyone should be able to hear in case of a flood event!

The Planning Commission is holding two public hearings at their meeting this coming Monday. The Blenheim project is for 24 building lots situated one street with a cul-de-sac. The second is 48 building lots on the Upper Bird tract. The Planning Commission has negotiated that landscaping on the Blenheim project will incorporate native plantings and the trail will have a public access easement. On the Bird tract, 25% of the units “shall be duplex, triplex, or quadplex. The applicant did not consent to the remaining “roughly eight-acres be added to the open space and conveyed at no cost to the ownership and control of the Town.”

If you want your voice heard, whether for or against, this public hearing is your chance. The meeting starts at 7:00 and is held in Council Chambers and also through ZOOM.

Parking on Valley Street is again on the table for discussion. A business owner has requested additional two-hour parking on the 400 block. Four businesses will be affected, and “their opinions are mixed.”

There are two additional Special Use Permits entering the application process. Hollis Lumpkin is applying for mixed-use for 1075 Valley Street, or Lumpkins. This business has been operating with a restaurant and over-night accommodations. It is non-conforming because it started prior to the Town boundary adjustment in the 1990s. This property is currently for sale. The second is 360 East Main Street, known as the historic Tavern. It has two apartments and the property owner is applying to create tourist lodging in one of them.

Tiger Fuel Company is requesting a zoning map amendment on their James River property. They have applied for a boundary adjustment to include the driveway that runs parallel to Valley Street. This enables them to meet necessary set-backs on their proposed “Market” offerings which include a gas station, car wash, and convenience store.

Other agenda items include the Flood Hazard Overlay which was last amended in 2014. This is an update that FEMA and DCR (Department of Conservation and Recreation) have published. “Compared to the Town’s current law, the new model is more clear on the responsibilities of the local floodplain administrator; it has stronger rules about sheds and mobile homes in the floodplain; it provides more flexibility in repairing and renovating historic buildings in floodplains. This is important in balancing the needs of flood safety with historic preservation in places with important historic districts, like Scottsville.”

Also, on the agenda discussion on Planned Unit Developments. “This draft zoning is an alternative to the model of by-right and special use permits. It provides much greater flexibility in designing a site with a mix of uses, building types, and landscaping, but it requires case-by-case approval from Town Council. The Town has a draft ordinance which still needs careful review, especially of the goals and intent statements on the first page. This is not urgent, but will be a valuable tool in the future,” according to Matt Lawless, Scottsville Town Administrator.

That’s it for me. I will be back on Monday. Have a great weekend!

Good Monday Morning from The James Exchange. On today’s show, Monday Matters, you will meet Peggy Scott. Peggy and I co-chair HEARR, Health Equity and Access in Rural Regions. If you don’t know what this organization does, you will find out in less than fifteen minutes. Enjoy the show…