Post date: Jan 29, 2013 3:43:17 PM
At the Albemarle Co Planning Commission meeting this evening, Jan 29,2013 at 6:00 at the Alb Co Office Building, a Special Use Permit request for disturbance in the flood plain of Moore's Creek will be discussed and voted upon.
Here's a link to the report that Sr. Planner, Claudette Grant has sent about the project: http://www.albemarle.org/upload/images/forms_center/departments/community_development/forms/PC_Reports/SP2012-29_5thStreetAvon_StaffReport.pdf. The information is also available on the Alb Co website, at http://www.albemarle.org/agenda.asp?department=pc&year=2013.
It is my understanding that the developer is asking for a special use permit to disturb the flood plain (along Moore's Creek and its tributaries). Quickly scanning the staff report, it states that all disturbance is on the developer's site and staff is recommending approval.
If you are interested in seeing how the project is moving forward, there is what appears to be a preliminary site plan associated with the report, but Claudette told me that staff is just in the preliminary stages of plan review, so the plan may change considerably before approved. I have not reviewed the plan sufficiently to determine where the floodplain disturbance is to occur and the extent of it. I fully expect mass grading of the site and most of the trees on the site west of the former City dump to be removed, except for those along Moore's Creek within the floodplain (the portion that is not disturbed). It appears that the road between the shopping center buildings and Moore's Creek will basically follow the existing asphalt road, but it may be closer to the Creek at some points, leading to further removal of trees. Removing trees will lead not only to more noise from the new road and shopping center, but also to noise from 64, as it echoes across the parking lots and bounces off of the buildings. Listen now. You can hear 64 from many locations in Willoughby. I can see glimpses of it from my deck on Royer Dr. The noise will only get louder. If it and other concerns associated with the development matters to you, let the County know.