TJPDC e–News—Spring 2002

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.

TJPDC e–News provides brief snapshots of our current efforts. If you are interested in additional information on a particular subject, just click on the link embedded in the article or contact the appropriate TJPDC staff member. We hope you enjoy this update. Please feel free to send comments and suggestions to info@tjpdc.org.

United Jefferson Area Mobility Plan (UnJAM) Workshops Underway!

It's time for us to make some tough choices - and we need your help. The Charlottesville-Albemarle Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission (TJPDC) are the organizations where City, County, and State policy-makers decide which major transportation projects are in our region's future. These decisions will be formalized in the United Jefferson Area Mobility Plan - also known as the UNJAM 2025 Plan - which will be used to help determine the most important transportation projects in our region. Please attend one of these workshops, take a fresh look at our transportation issues, and help identify the policies and projects that are most important to you, your family, neighbors, and businesses. All meetings begin at 7:00 p.m.

Upcoming workshops include:

Charlottesville - Wednesday, May 15 - Buford Middle School Cafeteria

Albemarle North - Thursday, May 16 - Broadus Wood Elementary School Cafeteria

Albemarle South/Scottsville - Monday, May 20 - Scottsville Elementary School Cafeteria

Louisa County - Tuesday, May 21 - Lake Anna Rescue Squad

Fluvanna County - Thursday, May 23 - Fluvanna Community Center in Fork Union

Nelson County - Wednesday, June 12 - Lovingston Fire Department

Click on www.tjpdc.org for more information about these upcoming workshops and photos of recent workshops. Or, call the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission at (434) 979-7310.

TJPDC Announces New Senior Transportation Planner

The Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission is pleased to announce the appointment of Larry Hagin as its new Senior Transportation Planner effective February 21, 2002. Mr. Hagin is fulfilling the transportation planning duties of outgoing TJPDC Assistant Director Hannah Twaddell, who departed on February 28, 2002. Mr. Hagin comes to the Planning District from the Transportation Planning Division of the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) where he was working on local and regional transportation planning issues for both the Charlottesville-Albemarle Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and the Central Shenandoah Planning District. If you would like to contact Mr. Hagin personally to welcome him to the Planning District, he can be reached at (434) 979-7310.

2002 TJPDC Legislative Program

The 2002 General Assembly adjourned in early March after adopting amendments to the FY02 budget and approving a $50 billion biennial budget for 2002-2004. Both contain reduced revenues along with spending and program cuts that will have significant impact at the local level. For the final report of the TJPDC legislative program, including a summary of the approved 2002-2004 state budget and legislation of interest to local governments, go to www.tjpdc.org/legislative/02finalrept.pdf. If you have questions about these items, please contact David Blount at (434) 979-7310 or

Plan For Affordable Housing Goals Adopted

The Planning District receives annual federal HOME funds for affordable housing that are shared equally among the member localities. Beginning July 1, 2002, the Planning District expects to receive $832,000 in HOME funds. The Action Plan sets specific goals for affordable housing development using these funds. HOME funds may be used to rehabilitate substandard homes, assist first time homebuyers, and develop affordable rental property. The Action Plan may be found on the Planning District's website at www.tjpdc.org. If you would like to know more about this plan, please contact Bill Wanner at (434) 979-7310.

JABAWAC And MPO Request Changes In VDOT Policy

A letter was sent to the members of the Commonwealth Transportation Board, which includes the Secretary of Transportation and the VDOT Commissioner, requesting that policies affecting development of bicycle and pedestrian facilities be clarified or changed. Current practice in planning and funding makes it difficult and slow for localities to get these facilities constructed. Some of the requests in the letter include allowing bicycle and pedestrian projects to be installed whether or not a roadway is otherwise improved, equalizing the local/state cost share for bike/ped improvements with those for automobile facilities, and establishing citizen committees to help VDOT with the planning and development process.

The letter was developed by the Jefferson Area Bicycling and Walking Advisory Committee (JABAWAC) and sent on behalf of the Charlottesville/Albemarle Metropolitan Planning Organization. If you would like to learn more about these proposed policy changes, please contact Billie Campbell at 979-7310 x 230 or .

Regional Work Force Development Media Campaign Underway

The City of Charlottesville Department of Economic Development has been working with the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission to implement the Thomas Jefferson Venture Strategy called "Regional Work Force Development Media Campaign," which is designed to encourage local area youth to consider training for "traditional trades." Since only about 50% of high school graduates go on to college, it is imperative that our community develops workforce training programs that provide the skills necessary for success in an ever changing work environment. For more information about the program or to find out how you and/or your business can contribute, contact William Harvey at the City's Department of Economic Development at (434) 970-3117.

Planning District To Set Up Homeless Management Information System

The Planning District received a three-year $213,210 grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to develop and manage a region-wide Homeless Management Information System. The goals for this System are to expand regional efforts to better understand the needs of the homeless, document the extent of homelessness, and to better coordinate and improve the region's services to the homeless. The Planning District is a participant in the Jefferson Area Coalition for the Homeless. Information that is not currently available will be gathered by this new system and provide essential information to the Coalition. If you would like to know more about this system, please contact Bill Wanner at (434) 979-7310.

Executive Director And Assistant Director Attend "New Partners For Smart Growth" Conference

Harrison Rue and Bill Wanner traveled to San Diego to attend the Smart Growth conference held in January. Mr. Rue conducted a Citizen Planners workshop for the attendees at this national conference. Information on developing new codes and ordinances that help enact Smart Growth policies was a major focus of the Conference. The information and knowledge gained at this conference is part of a larger project to develop staff expertise in writing local codes and ordinances at the Planning District. The Planning District intends to make this staff expertise available to the Planning District's member localities.

For Sale

The Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission office is selling its drafting table, which was purchased in 1993 and rarely used. It is an Altek ACP36048-3LS Datatab Pro Precision Digitizer with a base stand. It measures 36 inches by 48 inches and features continuously variable backlighting. Price is $1,000 or best offer. Shipping is not included. To learn more about this item or to make an offer, please contact Chris Gensic at (434) 979-7310 or

About this email

TJPDC e–News is a publication of the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission and is published as a forum for the latest news and information concerning the programs and projects at the PDC. This newsletter is mailed on a quarterly basis. If you would like to be removed from the distribution list, please contact the TJPDC at info@tjpdc.org or by calling (434) 979-7310.

For more information about the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission, please contact us or visit our website:

Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission
300 East Main Street, P.O. Box 1505
Charlottesville, VA 22902-1505
(434) 979-7310
(434) 979-1597 (fax)
Virginia Relay Users: 711 (TDD)
info@tjpdc.org (email)
www.tjpdc.org

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