On November 29, 2006, the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) hosted a work session to examine the challenges and opportunities associated with establishing a Regional Transit Authority (RTA) to serve the Charlottesville-Albemarle area. The work session provided a forum for active discussion among City and County policymakers about the potential for a regional transit system that offers fast, frequent, dependable, and seamless service. The work session included staff presentations about the potential for transit, panel discussion by the area's transit operators (JAUNT, CTS, UTS, and RideShare), and opportunities for public comment. The MPO will continue to move forward with the RTA work. For more information, and to download the materials from the November 2006 Transit Work Session, please visit http://www.tjpdc.org/transportation/rta.asp

For more information, contact Kellem Emanuele at kemanuele@tjpdc.org or (434) 979-7310 x 260.

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The Thomas Jefferson Area Coalition for the Homeless (TJACH) joined with communities across the country to observe National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day on December 21, the longest night of the year. From 11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. the local coalition kept the Memorial Candle lit and provided chalk for people to write about homelessness on the Community Chalkboard, which is part of the Monument to the First Amendment. Rev. Liz Emrey of New Beginnings Christian Community led the Candlelight Vigil at 5:30 p.m. City Council Member Dave Norris, Charlottesville Police Chief Timothy Longo, and TJACH representative Dr. Mary Washington spoke at the event. The observance included a reading of the names of homeless persons who have died in our community. While the service honored those who have passed away, it was also a tribute to those who are surviving against great odds and those volunteering their time and talent to understand and serve this population. Links to pictures and a Podcast of the vigil are at the TJACH website: http://www.avenue.org/tjach/.

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With additional funds awarded by the Department of Forestry, initial work has begun toward the development of a Green Infrastructure Plan. The plan will identify a proposed interconnected network of green space throughout the region. Benefits of green infrastructure include improved water quality and quantity, biodiversity and wildlife habitat, recreational opportunities, and stormwater control. For more information, contact Rochelle Garwood at rgarwood@tjpdc.org or (434) 979-7310 x320.

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Affordable housing is a significant issue in our region. The Housing Directors Council, the managing body for the Thomas Jefferson HOME Consortium, recognized the need to quantify the current housing situation and project the future demand for housing in the region. The Housing Directors commissioned a comprehensive study by the Center for Housing Research (CHR) at Virginia Tech. The Housing Needs Assessment and Market Analysis, completed in October 2006, is a comprehensive assessment of affordable housing demand and housing needs for the Thomas Jefferson Planning District. The State of Housing Report was publicly unveiled at a press conference on Friday, January 19, 2007. The report consists of three basic sections: 1) an illustrated summary of the CHR report, 2) a summary of current housing programs, and 3) recommendations developed by the Housing Directors Council. The entire CHR report is included in the appendices. The full report is available at http://www.tjpdc.org/housing/index.asp. For more information, contact Billie Campbell at bcampbell@tjpdc.org or (434) 979-7310 x 230.

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Jeffrey Cornelius joined TJPDC on December 4 as Administrator for the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). He served in the Army as an intelligence officer and has been employed in various computer system support positions in this area for the last ten years. HMIS is a web-based tool for data collection, case management, and program management and is now being used by homeless service providers in the Thomas Jefferson Planning District. Jeff also serves as Secretary/Treasurer for the Thomas Jefferson Area Coalition for the Homeless (TJACH). If you would like to personally welcome Jeff, you can reach him at jcornelius@tjpdc.org or(434) 979-7310 x440.

Kristen Wilson joined TJPDC on January 2 as the new Piedmont Workforce Network Program Assistant.  In addition, she will be assisting the finance office.  Kristen graduated in 2001 from Virginia Commonwealth University with a degree in Mass Communications.  She has over six years of experience as an administrative assistant in various industries.  Her most recent position held was an administrative assistant at Perrin Quarles Associates, Inc. If you would like to personally welcome Kristen, you can reach her at kwilson@tjpdc.org or (434) 979-7310 x310.

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On November 28, Fluvanna, Louisa, VDOT and TJPDC hosted a public workshop for the next stage of the NW Fluvanna/SW Louisa Corridor Study. The Corridor Study builds upon the work of the Eastern Planning Initiative, and the Lake Monticello, Zion Crossroads, Palmyra, and Fork Union Community Plans.  Renaissance Planning Group (RPG) presented three possible development scenarios for the corridor area, in response to input received at the July Steering Committee meeting. The Steering Committee includes citizen representatives from the Community Plans, Planning Commissioners, elected officials, and others. The three scenarios presented were:

1.      Trend Scenario: Projects what the area would look like if current transportation and development trends continue

2.      Scenario 1 - Zion Focus: Goal is to focus most growth in the Zion Crossroads area, with some growth also occurring around Lake Monticello and Palmyra

3.      Scenario 2 - Balanced Growth: Goal is to disperse growth between Zion Crossroads, Lake Monticello, and Palmyra

Workshop participants selected a modified version of the Zion Focus scenario as the best way to implement the vision for the corridor area outlined by the Community Plans. Future public meetings are planned for early Spring 2007. For more information, contact Kellem Emanuele at kemanuele@tjpdc.org or (434) 979-7310 x 260.

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Senior Regional Planner Bill Wanner attended and helped facilitate a community workshop organized by the Town of Columbia, held in November. Citizens from the Town of Columbia and from Fluvanna and Goochland counties attended the meeting, seeking to establish a vision for the community. Fluvanna County Board of Supervisors members Marvin Moss and Tom Payne assisted in establishing this vision as did Fluvanna County’s Director of Planning, Steven Biel. For more information contact Bill Wanner at wwanner@tjpdc.org or (434) 979-7310 x390.

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TJPDC staff and partners made two presentations on the Statewide Transportation and Housing Alliance (THA) at the Governor’s Housing Conference held November 29 through December 1 in Norfolk.

·        The Pre-Conference Session was titled “Using Data To Tell Your Story.” Dr. David Phillips of UVA and Billie Campbell presented the THA as a case study, illustrating ways to mine data and display it in tables, graphs or maps to tell our story.

·        THA Steering Committee members Harrison Rue and Dr. Bill Fuller of the Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA) presented at the Conference session, introducing THA and the toolkit.

For more information, contact Billie Campbell at bcampbell@tjpdc.org or (434) 979-7310 x 230.

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TJPDC Executive Director Harrison Rue has been elected to serve as Vice President of the Association Metropolitan Planning Organization Association (AMPO).  With three years service as a board member and Technical Committee Chair, Rue was elected to this leadership position at the board’s October meeting.  AMPO is a nonprofit, membership organization established in 1994 to serve the needs and interests of Metropolitan  Planning Organizations (MPOs) nationwide.

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A new initiative focusing on the incorporation of Universal Design principles in the design of housing and communities kicked off with a luncheon meeting on October 4, held at the Jefferson Area Board for Aging (JABA). Bill Wanner and Billie Campbell of the TJPDC serve on the steering committee along with representatives from JABA and the Piedmont Housing Alliance. In response to this initiative, the Planning District has published two white papers titled “Applying Universal Design in Homes” and “Applying Universal Design in Communities.” Universal Design is the design of products and environments (such as residences and stores) to be usable by all people regardless of their ability or age, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design. If you are interested in participating in this effort or would like copies of the white papers, visit http://www.tjpdc.org/housing/index.asp or contact Bill Wanner at bwanner@tjpdc.org or (434) 979-7310 x 390.

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Two employers were recognized in November for their contributions to supporting employees with disabilities at their worksites.  The recipients of the Martha Tarrant Employer of the Year Award, chosen by the Jefferson Area Disability Services Board, were Goodwill Industries of the Valleys (for large employer) and Frontline Test Services Company (for small employer).  Both companies have been proactive in making accommodations for workers with disabilities who sometimes otherwise cannot find productive employment.

As part of the award, Jefferson Disability Services Board member and local business owner Doug Owens (Technology Tamers) donated $500 in cash and technological support to assist the award winners in meeting their needs.  Awards are presented to employers who provide quality customer service to people with disabilities, develop effective communication skills for working with people with disabilities, and discover local resources available to support working with various disabilities.  Companies and other interested stakeholders that are interested in finding out more can contact the Jefferson Disability Services Board at (434) 979-7310 or visit http://tjpdc.org/housing/index.asp.

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The TJPDC was awarded a contract in November for public outreach for the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) studies for the North Fork and mainstem of the Hardware River, and for the Rivanna River and several of its tributaries.  A TMDL study is performed for a waterway which is on the state's impaired waterways list for being too polluted to meet one or more of its intended uses, such as swimming, fishing, or adequately supporting aquatic life.  The study is to determine sources of pollution and how much contribution from each source would need to be reduced in order for the waterway to meet water quality standards.  The first public meeting for the Hardware River was held November 28; maps and handouts are available from Virginia Tech's (the contractors for the technical study) website at http://www.tmdl.bse.vt.edu/outreach/C105/.  The first Rivanna Watershed public meeting is in the process of being scheduled; check back at www.tjpdc.org for more details. Those particularly interested in either study are welcome to join the Local Steering Committee; please contact Rochelle Garwood at rgarwood@tjpdc.org or (434) 979-7310 x320 for more information.

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TJPDC staff is working with the Town of Mineral in developing plans for a downtown revitalization project. The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has awarded up to $35,000 available to the Town to complete a plan for the revitalization of the downtown. The goal of the planning grant is to prepare a full CDBG application for the specific improvements recommended in the Plan. This project grew, in part, from a series of Mineral Town Council retreats held in February and September 2006, facilitated by TJPDC. For more information contact Bill Wanner at wwanner@tjpdc.org or (434) 979-7310 x390.

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TJPDC Senior Regional Planner Bill Wanner and Executive Director Harrison Rue presented the final draft of the Nellysford Community Plan to the Nelson County Board of Supervisors on January 9. The Plan is the result of an extensive effort to collect and analyze data relevant to the greater Nellysford area to establish what Nellysford residents and businesses wish for their community. Recommendations include short-term, mid-term, and long-term objectives in four key areas: transportation, business development, community development, and community involvement. A key long-term transportation goal is to construct a new local road network to the west of and parallel to Route 151. A long-term business development goal is to create a new mixed-use development center to the west of Route 151 along a new road network, with connectivity to Routes 634 and 151.Community development strategies include regulatory changes to be considered in order to facilitate development consistent with land use recommendations, as well as recommendations for infrastructure. Community Involvement recommendations focus on ways for residents to actively engage one another, to support local businesses and restaurants, and to help guide the future of Nellysford. The Board of Supervisors established a 60-day period to receive comments on the plan. The final draft plan is available at http://www.tjpdc.org/community/index.asp. For more information, contact Bill Wanner at bwanner@tjpdc.org or (434) 979-7310 x390.

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