• Regional Housing Conference – Save the Date!
• Regional Transit Authority Joint Work Session Planned
• Second Annual Homeless Persons Memorial Day
• Listening Session on Housing Needs
• American Planning Association Recognizes TJPDC for Accessibility Initiatives
• Contracts Awarded for Projects Using the THA Toolkit
• Final Public Meeting for Rivanna River TMDLs
• Scottsville Comprehensive Plan
• TJPDC receives Award from the Transportation Research Board
• Phase II Regional Long-Range Transportation Plan
• Rural Roundtable Discusses Impact Fees
• FY2009 Rehabilitative Services Incentive Funds Available
• Solid Waste Management Plan
• Commuter Workshop and Awards
• New Group to Provide Medical Support for the Homeless
• New members of the Disability Services Board (DSB)
• DSB Employer of the Year
• Crafting Intentional Communities
• Broadcast on Winterizing and Greening Your Home
• Land Use and Conservation
• TJPDC Open House
• Appointments
• Director of Transportation Programs Hired
• New TJPDC Program Managers

We need your help to solve critical housing issues! You are invited to join us for the Regional Housing Conference “Finding Common Ground” on Thursday, March 13, 2008 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Covenant Church, 1025 E. Rio Road in Charlottesville. The conference is geared toward a cross-section of people in our communities-- realtors, business people, public officials, lenders, builders, developers, architects, site planners, consumers, community leaders and concerned citizens. The conference will include in-depth discussions on:

• Emerging housing approaches
• Density & Sprawl
• Community Design
• Possible Partnerships
• Community Land Trust
• Proffers
• Lending and Finance
• Mixed Use/Mixed Income

Please visit the Housing Conference website at www.housingconference08.org for sponsor information, event registration, and a schedule of conference events. We hope to see you there!

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At the direction of the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), the first series of RTA Study reports was presented to Charlottesville and Albemarle County regarding the formation of a Regional Transit Authority (RTA) in the Charlottesville-Albemarle Region. These initial reports identify corridors in the region with high anticipated transit service needs, present several management and governance options and provide various service, operations, and investment options. They are intended to facilitate discussion about the potential scale of services and governance that policymakers and the public wish to pursue, and the likely level of investment needed. A combined workshop is being planned to provide a forum for open discussion between the City and the County and to guide and focus future steps in the study. For more information about the RTA work, please visit http://www.tjpdc.org/transportation/rta.asp. For questions or comments, please contact Melissa Barlow at mbarlow@tjpdc.org or 434-979-7310 ext. 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 18. From 11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. the local coalition distributed literature, talked to community members, and accepted donations of blankets at the Community Chalkboard, which is part of the First Amendment Monument outside Charlottesville City Hall. Robin Goldstein from The Shelter for Help in Emergency led the Candlelight Vigil at 5:30 p.m. Theodore Woodson, the Conrad Center program director for Freedom House in Richmond, and Pedro Ortiz from VEC and the Thomas Jefferson Area Veterans Council, as well as other community members 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 articles about the vigil are at the TJACH website: http://www.avenue.org/tjach/.

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The Jefferson Area Transition Council held a listening session on October 27 for young adults with disabilities (ages 18-30) and their parents focusing on housing needs. Participants split into focus groups, with one group of young adults and two groups of parents. Facilitators posed prepared questions to solicit input on needs for housing and supportive services, change in needs over time, and barriers to obtaining appropriate housing. The Transition Council will use the information to work with agencies and organizations in the region to begin designing a system to address the identified needs. The Transition Council selected housing as a priority issue over the last year, since the limited supply of affordable, accessible housing and associated support services is a barrier to successful transition and inclusion for young adults with disabilities. The Jefferson Area Transition Council is a partnership of students, families, agencies, schools, and other community partners who coordinate and improve the delivery of services for youth with disabilities, ages 14 through 22, as they transition from high school to adult life. For more information contact Billie Campbell at bcampbell@tjpdc.org or (434) 979-7310 Extension 230.

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The December, 2007, issue of the American Planning Association’s Planning magazine features the TJPDC’s Livable for a Lifetime initiative and Transportation and Housing Alliance project as exemplars of planning for people with disabilities. The article, “The Ultimate in Accessibility” quotes Bill Wanner, TJPDC Senior Planner, “The bottom line is that the data and factors that affect people with disabilities need to be considered from the beginning.” With approximately 15% of the population having some disability, it is incumbent on planners to recognize this often overlooked population. For more information contact Bill Wanner at wwanner@tjpdc.org or (434) 979-7310 Extension 390.

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As part of the grant continuation awarded by the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities (VBPD – www.vaboard.org), contracts for projects using the Transportation and Housing Alliance (THA) Toolkit have been awarded. Projects underway include the New River Valley Employment Mobility Project and enhancements to the Coordinated Human Service Mobility Plan for the Rappahannock Rapidan Regional Commission. The George Washington Regional Commission (GWRC) has completed an additional section for the THA Toolkit on Economic Market Analysis. Four additional proposals were approved by the Review Team and contracts currently are being negotiated. A second RFP will be issued during the first quarter of 2008. The THA Toolkit, including the new section, is available at http://www.tjpdc.org/housing/thatoolkit.asp. For more information, contact Billie Campbell at bcampbell@tjpdc.org or (434) 979-7310 extension 230.

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The final public meeting for the Rivanna River TMDL (Total Maximum Daily Load) study will be held on February 11 at 7:00 p.m. at the Albemarle County Office Building on 5th Street Extended (inclement weather date is February 25). The study has been examining the pollution reductions needed for the Rivanna and its tributaries - Preddy Creek, Meadow Creek, Beaver Creek, the Mechums River, and the North Fork of the Rivanna – in order to meet water quality standards for human contact and diversity of bottom-dwelling invertebrates (a measure of overall stream health). Staff from the Virginia Departments of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Conservation and Recreation (DCR) will be available to discuss the findings of the study and the next steps. For more information, contact Rochelle Garwood at rgarwood@tjpdc.org or (434) 979-7310 Extension 320.

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TJPDC is assisting the Town of Scottsville with the update of its Comprehensive Plan. TJPDC planners Bill Wanner and Ann Whitham met with the Scottsville Planning Commission and the public on December 3 to review the current Plan. TJPDC staff will present updated data and a summary of the December 3 meeting to the Planning Commission on February 4. The updated Comprehensive Plan is scheduled to be complete by June 30, 2008. For more information, contact Bill Wanner at wwanner@tjpdc.org or (434) 979-7310 ext. 390.

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TJPDC was recently recognized by the Transportation Research Board (TRB) for outstanding work in Communicating Transportation Concepts to the Public. The award is for the Street Capacity Exercise that was done for the United Jefferson Area Mobility Plan 2025 to demonstrate street capacity. The award was presented at the 87th Annual Meeting of the TRB on January 14. Ryan Pace, TJPDC’s Graphic Designer, presented a poster of the exercise during a “Meet-The-Author” Poster Session. The Award was sponsored by TRB’s Planning and Environment Group. For more information on the Street Capacity Exercise, please visit http://www.tjpdc.org/transportation/streetCapacity.asp.

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In 2006, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) issued new requirements that Planning Districts work with localities to develop a Regional Long-Range Transportation Plan (RLRTP). The Rural Technical Committee completed Phase I of the RLRTP in June 2007, which focused on regional transportation goals, objectives and data inventories specific to rural transportation. Phase II takes the data and forecasts collected in Phase I and uses them to assess future demand and identify corresponding deficiencies, and the final product will also include recommendations to mitigate those challenges. For more information about the Regional Long Range Plan initiative, visit http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/Reg_Long_RangePlan.asp For more information about the Phase I Plan developed for the TJPD Region, visit http://www.tjpdc.org/transportation/ruralTrans.asp or contact TJPDC at 434-979-7310.

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At the request of committee members, the Rural Roundtable hosted Morgan Butler, attorney from the Southern Environmental Law Center, for a presentation and discussion on recent state impact fee legislation. Butler detailed the contents, strengths and weaknesses of the new provisions, which were adopted by the 2007 General Assembly. With the exception of Nelson, all counties in the PDC are qualified to implement impact fees under this enabling authority. There was reservation about the legislation’s shortcomings, but interest remained in pursuing impact fees if the legislation is improved in the future. For more information, contact Cory Anderson at canderson@tjpdc.org or (434) 979-7310 x290.

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The Jefferson Area Disability Services Board has been notified that another round of Rehabilitative Services Incentive Fund (RSIF) grants will be available for Fiscal Year 2009 (Grant Period June 1, 2008 - May 31, 2009). The maximum grant award is $15,000, paid on a reimbursement basis. Grants must be matched by grantees at a minimum rate of 10% of the total grant request, using local or private funds. A guiding principle for the RSIF is to serve as a first step in the development of a community-based, consumer-focused service delivery system for people with physical and sensory disabilities. Application materials are still under development, but as the DSB will need to submit the winning local proposal to the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services for statewide competition by April 7, it is not too soon to start planning. If you are interested in submitting a grant proposal, please contact Rochelle Garwood at rgarwood@tjpdc.org or (434) 979-7310 Extension 320.

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Nelson County has adopted resolutions to become a member of the Region 2000 Services Authority and to withdraw from the Thomas Jefferson Solid Waste Region. Nelson County will continue to participate in special waste events and recycling efforts in the Thomas Jefferson Region, be represented on the Thomas Jefferson Solid Waste Working Group, and cooperate with efforts to improve recycling in the Thomas Jefferson Area. Being a member of the Region 2000 Services Authority will allow Nelson County to better manage the high cost of solid waste disposal. The Regional Solid Waste Plan will be amended to reflect Nelson County’s withdrawal from the region. Remaining localities in the Thomas Jefferson Solid Waste Region are the City of Charlottesville and the Counties of Albemarle, Fluvanna and Greene. For more information contact Rochelle Garwood at rgarwood@tjpdc.org or (434) 979-7310 Extension 320.

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RideShare is pleased to announce that its recent awards luncheon and workshop “Being a Commuter Friendly Employer” was a success. Sponsored by RideShare, the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission, and the Piedmont Workforce Network, “Being a Commuter Friendly Employer” focused on educating local businesses about the importance of commuter benefits in the workplace and how they relate to regional businesses. Presentations addressed ways commuter benefits can help companies deal with issues such as parking, expansion, and employee morale. Held on October 16th, guest speakers included Butch Davies, Commonwealth Transportation Board Culpeper District Representative; Sandra Lynn Taylor, State Farm Insurance Charlottesville Operations Center; and Louise Wyatt, County of Albemarle Human Resources. The workshop was followed by a brief awards ceremony recognizing local organizations that have made outstanding efforts in the area of commuter benefits.

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A group of healthcare professionals, medical and nursing students, and care providers for the homeless has been meeting since September to organize efforts to help the homeless and other impoverished people to gain access to health care. The effort includes conducting primary care screening at shelters and helping people navigate the complexities of receiving indigent care. For more information, contact Jeff Cornelius at jcornelius@tjpdc.org.

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Four new members have been appointed to the Disability Services Board (DSB). David Cattell-Gordon is the new government representative for Albemarle County. He is the Associate Director of the Albemarle County Department of Social Services. Dr. Mark Rooks is a citizen representative for Albemarle County. He lives in Scottsville, is a representative of the business community, and has a physical disability. Dr. Rooks is the Chief Executive Officer of InteLex Corporation, which focuses on the needs of the scholarly community in the human sciences. Barbara Bell is the new government representative for the City of Charlottesville. Ms. Bell is an adult protective services worker with the city. Janyce Lewis is a new citizen representative for the City of Charlottesville. Ms. Lewis has a physical disability and is serving an Intern for the Public Housing Association of Residents (PHAR). There is one remaining vacancy on the DSB for a citizen representative from Nelson County. The DSB consists of 14 members, including a government representative from each locality, citizen representatives from the localities, and one representative of the Independence Resource Center. For more information contact Rochelle Garwood at rgarwood@tjpdc.org or (434) 979-7310 Extension 320.

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On October 29 at the new Virginia Workforce Center - Charlottesville, the Disability Services Board named Crutchfield Corporation as its 2007 Employer of the Year. Robin Clark, DSB member, noted that "It seems like they focus on more of the abilities of the individual as opposed to the disability." CBS 19 interviewed several Crutchfield employees in a story which aired on October 13 and 14th. You can read a synopsis on their website at http://www.charlottesvillenewsplex.tv/home/headlines/10527572.html. NBC 29 also aired a story related to Disability Awareness month on a lead from the DSB. Their story is available at http://www.nbc29.com/Global/story.asp?s=7249368. The Martha Tarrant Employer of the Year award is conferred annually as part of the observance of National Disability Employment Awareness Month. The award honors employers who demonstrate sensitivity and support for their employees with disabilities. Martha Tarrant served as the member of the DSB for many years and Chair from 2002-2003. She passed away in May, 2004, and the DSB renamed the annual award in her honor later that year. For more information contact Rochelle Garwood at rgarwood@tjpdc.org or (434) 979-7310 Extension 320.

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On October 19, TJPDC Senior Planner Bill Wanner moderated a panel for the closing segment of Crafting Intentional Communities: Cooperating Along Life’s Journey. This one-day workshop highlighted several different housing and living innovations often described as intentional communities. An intentional community is a group of people who have chosen to live together with a common purpose, working cooperatively to create a lifestyle that reflects their shared core values. The event brought together individuals and groups who are interested in exploring alternative living arrangements – especially as we “age in community.” The panel discussion was titled “Going Local – Exploring the Possibilities” and featured panelists Amy Kilroy, Grants Coordinator the City of Charlottesville’s Neighborhood Development Services; Barry Clark, County Administrator for Greene County; Ron Higgins, Manager of Zoning Administration for Albemarle County; and Mark Watson, Project Director for the Piedmont Housing Alliance. The event was hosted and staffed by JABA and co-sponsored by Stonehaus, My Home for Life, AARP Virginia, the University of Virginia’s Institute on Aging, and ACCT (Alliance for Community Choice in Transportation). For more information, visit JABA’s web site at http://www.jabacares.org/housing~ic.html or contact Bill Wanner at wwanner@tjpdc.org or (434) 979-7310 ext. 390.

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TJPDC Senior Planner Bill Wanner was featured in four segments on CBS Channel 19’s November 13, 2007 morning news. He presented information on how to insulate your home, using the heating and cooling system most efficiently, improving the indoor environment, and indoor and outdoor lighting options. For more information, contact Bill Wanner at wwanner@tjpdc.org or (434) 979-7310 ext. 390.

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TJPDC Planner Cory Anderson spoke at the “Comprehending Land Conservation- Getting In-depth about the Tools & Process” workshop in Greene County this past October. The workshop, conducted by the Virginia Cooperate Extension, was designed to alert area residents of land use issues and conservation opportunities. Anderson’s presentation gave an overview of current land use, economic, and population trends in Greene County and public planning tools available to address identified issues. The PowerPoint is available at the Virginia Cooperative Extension website. For more information, contact Cory Anderson at canderson@tjpdc.org or (434) 979-7310 x290.

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The TJPDC held an Open House in mid- December, inviting local officials and staff, our partners and other community members to interact with PDC staff and view displays of information about the various projects and work of the Commission. Approximately 40 people attended the event.

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Climate Change: TJPDC Executive Director Harrison Rue has been appointed by Governor Kaine to the newly formed Climate Change Commission. The Commission will undertake a yearlong study and prepare an action plan, fulfilling one of the recommendations of the Virginia Energy Plan, which was completed in September of this year. Secretary of Natural Resources Preston Bryant will chair the Commission. The Commission is made up of 32 members including state legislators, scientists, economists, representatives from the energy, transportation, manufacturing, development, and agriculture industries, representatives from environmental organizations and local government representatives.

Community Land Trust: Chief Operating Officer Billie Campbell is representing TJPDC on the Community Land Trust (CLT) Steering Committee. The group is working with consultants from Burlington Associates to carry out a feasibility study to determine the feasibility of a CLT for the region. A CLT maintains the affordability of homes and rental housing through permanent ownership of the land and long-term renewable ground leases. The Steering Committee has met three times and has made some basic decisions about a CLT for our area: 1) the CLT will be a new, standalone nonprofit corporation, 2) the service area will encompass the Thomas Jefferson Planning District, 3) the CLT will act as a steward for the land, and 4) the target market will be low-income and moderate-income households. A community meeting was held on November 28 in the City Council Chambers. The Steering Committee will continue its work, turning its attention to the organization and structure of the CLT.

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Melissa Barlow joined the TJPDC staff in November as the Director of Transportation Programs. Her previous role was that of Federal Programs and Grants Manager at the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT). Prior to joining DRPT in 2005, Barlow was an 8-year veteran Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). She graduated from their three-year Engineer Trainee program in 2000, and from 2000 until 2005 served as Assistant Resident Engineer in both the Charlottesville and Louisa Residencies.

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Lisa Horanyi has been promoted to TDM/Rideshare Program Manager. In her new role, Lisa will oversee all facets of the RideShare program, to include grant solicitation and administration, and will participate in long range transportation planning and other planning areas in support of the TDM and RideShare programmatic areas. She has worked at the TJPDC for two years as the Rideshare Outreach Coordinator.

Heather Foor has been promoted to Piedmont Workforce Network Program Manager. In her new role, Heather will oversee the workforce programs including the operations of the Virginia Workforce Centers in the Piedmont Workforce Network service area. She has worked at the TJPDC for four years as the Piedmont Workforce Network Program Coordinator.

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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