The Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission forges sustainable solutions to regional issues.
We accomplish this by:

• Developing partnerships and collaborations with local governments, communities, businesses and agencies
• Engaging community involvement, education, and training
• Developing practical, visionary plans and assisting partners with implementation and funding
• Saving partners’ money by sharing costs and minimizing duplication of efforts
• Serving as a local government think tank to identify emerging issues and solutions
• Responding quickly and efficiently to local and state requests for assistance
• Advocating for local governments with state and federal partners, and
• Finding new and ongoing sources of funding

Green Infrastructure Study Released

Green infrastructure is an interconnected network of green spaces that conserves natural ecosystem values and functions and provides associated benefits to human populations. Typically, a green infrastructure network consists of large habitat areas linked together by corridors, also known as greenways. The benefits include enhanced quality of life for residents, economic development and increased property values, maintenance of water quality and quantity, and protection of wildlife habitat.

The Green Infrastructure Study, funded through the Virginia Department of Forestry, and produced by the TJPDC is now complete. The purpose of the study was to define green infrastructure, identify areas particularly suitable for green infrastructure within the planning district, and provide a list of potential implementation measures. The full plan is available here.

Interested in Involving the Public in Transportation Planning? Join the CHART Committee!

The Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is seeking applications to fill two (2) vacancies on its citizen’s advisory committee, the Charlottesville-Albemarle Regional Transportation (CHART) Committee. The CHART Committee acts in an advisory capacity to the MPO and encourages public involvement in transportation planning. The Committee meets monthly on the first Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m. at TJPDC, 401 E. Water Street. To download the application, please click here. Applications should be received on or before Friday, January 29th 2010. For more information, please visit the MPO and CHART web pages. Questions? Please contact Sarah Eissler at the 434-979-7310 ext. 360 or seissler@tjpdc.org.

For a summary of the CHART Committee’s role and responsibilities please click here.

TJPDC Annual Report Now Available

We are pleased to present the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission's 2008/09 fiscal year Annual Report.
This year's report features:

• A letter from our Executive Director
• PDC Services Provided for Localities
• Regional News and Efforts
• A Focus on our Localities
• TJPDC Financial Information
• The Sustainability Accords (Our Guiding Principles)
• FY08/09 Commission and Staff Members

Please click here to visit our online report

RideShare Launches Expansion into Shenandoah Valley

The RideShare program recently expanded to cover the Central Shenandoah Planning District, which includes the five counties of Augusta, Bath, Highland, Rockbridge and Rockingham and the cities of Buena Vista, Harrisonburg, Lexington, Staunton and Waynesboro. “RideShare has offered carpool matching to those commuting into or out of the Charlottesville region since the ‘80s,” says RideShare Program Manager, Lisa Horanyi. “We already have RideShare carpools going from Waynesboro to Charlottesville. Now those commuting to areas like Harrisonburg can find a carpool match as well.”  The expanded service was launched during the 6th Annual RideShare Week, October 12-16. For more information, contact Lisa Horanyi at lhoranyi@tjpdc.org or 434-979-7210 x330.

TJPDC e–News is issued on a quarterly basis to keep you informed about the programs and projects at the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission. In addition to e-mail, every issue of TJPDC e–News is posted on our website. Read the current eNews. 

Greene County Multimodal Corridor Study Completed

The Renaissance Planning Group has completed the “Multimodal Corridor Study for the US 29 and US 33 Development Areas in Greene County”. The study was funded through a Multimodal Planning Grant awarded by Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to the TJPDC and was timed to coincide with the updating of the Greene County Comprehensive Plan. Renaissance is the consultant to the TJPDC for the project, which includes multimodal transportation solutions, land use strategies, and an implementation plan specific to Greene County, while addressing regional travel needs on the US29 and US33 corridors.  The Study was presented to the Greene County Board of Supervisors on August 25. It has provided valuable information to the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors as they complete the update to the Comprehensive Plan.The full Study is available online here. For questions or more information, contact Bill Wanner at 434-979-7310 x390.

Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grants Now Available for Virginia Localities

On October 6, 2009, Governor Timothy M. Kaine announced that Virginia will begin to accept competitive applications for a $9.7 million program to offer Energy-Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants to help localities reduce fossil fuel emissions, stimulate the economy and lower total energy use and costs by improving energy efficiency in the building, transportation and other sectors. The grant program is funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Applications will be accepted until November 6, 2009.

Eligible Virginia localities apply through and receive project development support from their local Planning District Commission. On-line access to applications, project development guidance and other resources are available on the DMME website.

Please contact Steve Williams, TJPDC Executive Director or David Blount, Legislative Liaison for additional information.

Second Edition Toolkit Now Available

The Second Edition of the Transportation and Housing Alliance (THA) Toolkit is now available and ready for use. The Transportation and Housing Alliance (THA) is a statewide initiative in Virginia linking public and private efforts in the areas of housing and transportation. The Toolkit was produced through a grant awarded to the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission (TJPDC) by the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities (VBPD). VBPD recognized the important role of Planning District Commissions in developing and using this Toolkit.

The purpose of the Toolkit is to create plans that lead to livable communities for all citizens. The Toolkit provides approaches to assess current housing and transportation needs, project future needs, and identify overlapping issues and opportunities. To learn more, please visit our THA Toolkit Page.

The Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission serves the localities in Planning District 10, which include the City of Charlottesville and the Counties of Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, and Nelson.

Created in 1972, the TJPDC is directed by a twelve member board, consisting of two representatives appointed by each local governing board, more than half of whom are local elected officials. The Commissioners meet monthly to discuss the activities and direction of the TJPDC.