• RideShare Launches Expansion into Shenandoah Valley
• Greene County Multimodal Corridor Study Completed
• HOME Performance Report Submitted
• Public Participation in Rural UnJAM 2035
• Downtown Trail Project
• Mapping Project Aids CTS
• 2010 Legislative Program Approved
• Green Infrastructure Study in Final Stages
• Livable Communities Event on November 11
• TJACH Achieves Non-Profit Status
• Changes to the MPO Meeting Schedule
• RideShare Promotes Try Transit Week
• People in the News

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.

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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 the 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.

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Each year the HOME Consortium and the City of Charlottesville prepare the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) to report on activities and achievements over the past year. The CAPER was submitted to HUD on September 30 and is available here. In the past fiscal year (July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009), the HOME Consortium drew down $1,027,373 in HOME funds, excluding administrative dollars. Fifteen percent of HOME funds are reserved for Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) projects, while the remaining funds are evenly distributed among the six localities in the region. The Consortium completed 31 HOME projects during the program year. Of the 31 projects, 16 were rehabilitation of owner-occupied units, two were rental rehabilitation, eight were first-time homebuyer downpayment assistance, and five were development of rental units. The five rental projects represent a total of 16 units. Completed units for the year total 42. Additional projects were initiated during the year. For questions or more information, contact Billie Campbell at bcampbell@tjpdc.org or 434-979-7310 x230.

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In an effort to include public comment in VDOT’s upcoming rural long range transportation plan (RLRP), TJPDC staff members have been visiting our five member counties to seek public input about transportation issues and concerns. Staff discussed the goals of the rural long range transportation plan at the Albemarle and Greene County Fairs, the Nelson County Health Fair, the Louisa County Air Show, and Fluvanna County’s Old Farm Day. Public input gleaned from these events is critical to crafting a rural long range transportation plan for the region. This plan will aid localities in developing a long range vision for transportation projects and improvements. While the public event portion of this update process is complete, residents of the five counties are encouraged to comment on transportation in rural areas through our long range transportation planning website, unjam.org. For additional information, contact Sarah Eissler at seissler@tjpdc.org or 434-979-7310 x360.

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The City of Charlottesville Neighborhood Development Services Office and the Albemarle County Office of Community Development have asked TJPDC staff to examine possible locations for a commuter bicycle route along Route 29 North. In the long term it is hoped that this commuter bike trail extends from the UVA Research Park to Downtown Charlottesville and, eventually, to UVA. This commuter “trail” is intended to promote multimodal transportation options along the often congestion corridor. TJPDC staff is researching what facilities exist, are being constructed in the near future, and are planned for the long term. The Downtown Trail Steering Committee, which is made up of representatives from the City of Charlottesville, Albemarle County and VDOT, will guide work on this project, whose overall goal is to create a non-vehicular transportation link between the residential and employment centers of the City and County. The existing Downtown Trail hopefully will serve as the backbone for a more complete bicycling network in urban area localities of the region. For additional information, contact Sarah Eissler at seissler@tjpdc.org or 434-979-7310 x360.

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The TJPDC provided updated “routes and stops” computer map files for Charlottesville Transit System (CTS). After completion of the updated files, the TJPDC partnered with CTS to analyze data obtained from a ridership survey this past March. The first step of this analysis was to map the number of passengers that got on and off at each bus stop to better understand which bus stops and routes are most commonly used. This analysis will aid CTS decision making when considering locations to invest in shelter upgrades; as well as helping CTS improve the efficiency of the transit system.

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Local governing bodies in the region have approved the 2010 TJPD Legislative Program. The program establishes a handful of top priorities for the next legislative session, including local and state funding obligations, public education funding and land use and growth management issues. Special emphasis is given to urging the state to honor its funding obligations to localities and to resist cost-shifting and unfunded mandates on localities. The TJPD Commission, our localities and their staffs have helped shape this program, which will inform our legislators and help guide lobbying efforts during the 2010 General Assembly session. For more information, contact David Blount, TJPD Legislative Liaison, at dblount@tjpdc.org or 434-979-7310 x350.

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The Green Infrastructure Study, funded through the Virginia Department of Forestry, is in the final stages of completion. The purpose of the study is 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 will be available on the TJPDC website within in the coming weeks.

To help determine ideal locations for green infrastructure, a few geographic features, labeled “cornerstone layers,” are identified from scientific data. The study considers wildlife habitat, steep slopes susceptible to erosion, water quality, trails and parks for recreational use, and already protected land. Each of these layers is combined into a composite map, with special attention given to connections between these areas. Finally, potential implementation tools, both regulatory and non-regulatory, are listed and described, including means for funding green infrastructure projects.

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.

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Elinor Ginzler, a national expert on independent living for seniors, will discuss the elements of a livable community and the critical relationship between those elements and the ability to age successfully. Her lecture “Livable Communities: Opportunities for Successful Aging” will include a discussion on the inter-generational benefits of these elements and the importance of connectivity. Ginzler will highlight some of AARP’s current work on mobility and housing. The event will be held on Wednesday, November 11 at 2:00 at the Charlottesville Doubletree Hotel. The Institute on Aging is sponsoring this lecture, with cosponsors being the TJPDC and the Jefferson Area Board for Aging. These organizations are among those actively working to improve livability in and around Charlottesville. The lecture and parking are free, but RSVP is required. Online registration is available at www.virginia.edu/aginginstitute, by phone at (434) 243-5695, or by e-mail at uvaging@virginia.edu.

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The Thomas Jefferson Area Coalition for the Homeless (TJACH) received notification from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that its application for non-profit status was approved. TJACH has existed as a coalition for over 10 years, but stepped forward in 2008 to become the lead organization on homelessness as recommended in the Community Plan to End Homelessness. TJACH is currently housed at the TJPDC office, but will be moving to the Haven at First and Market the end of November. The grand opening of this multi-purpose community space is scheduled for November 21. For more information, contact TJACH Executive Director Kaki Dimock at executivedirector@tjach.org.

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The MPO committee schedule has been altered in an effort to make all MPO Committees more efficient. The Community Mobility Committee, which focuses on multimodal transportation options, and the MPO Tech Committee, which focuses on roadway and major transit issues, have been merged on a trial basis to create a more balanced perspective about transportation issues in the MPO. The merged committee will meet the third Tuesday of every other month at 10 am at Charlottesville’s CitySpace, with the next meeting being November 17th. The MPO Policy Board also is now meeting bimonthly on the fourth Wednesday of every other month at 4 pm at City Space. However, the next meeting for the Policy Board is scheduled for Monday, November 23rd due to the Thanksgiving holiday.

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The week of September 21-25 was “Try Transit Week” throughout Virginia, a statewide event sponsored by the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation. RideShare promoted the event locally with the Commuter Information Team (CIT), a partnership of all the area transportation providers, including JAUNT, CTS, UTS, and Greene County Transit. The CIT worked with residents and employers across the region to provide information and encourage people to try transit. Local events included a kickoff at the Downtown Transit Station on September 21 and visits to area employers including PVCC, the County of Albemarle and Westminster Canterbury of the Blue Ridge. The Thomas Jefferson Planning District ranked 4th in Virginia by bringing in a total of 68 “Try Transit” pledges.

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TJPDC has said good bye to a pair of staff members in recent weeks. Rochelle Garwood was senior environmental planner who worked at the PDC for 15 years. She resigned to pursue other interests. Will Sowers, RideShare Outreach Coordinator, is returning to work at the UVA Police Department, where he previously served as a police officer and forensic technician.

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Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission
PO Box 1505 - 401 East Water Street
Charlottesville, VA 22902
www.tjpdc.org
(434) 979-7310