TJPDC e–News—Winter 2005

30 Years of Regional Planning, Linking Transportation, Land Use, Economy, & Environment

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 .

TJPDC Gearing Up For 29N Corridor Study

The TJPDC is gearing up to conduct the US 29 North Corridor multi-modal transportation study.  This study will be in conjunction with the County of Albemarle’s Northern Development Area Master Plan process to ensure land use and transportation decisions are considered simultaneously.  The detailed technical and economic analysis performed in the 29H250 Phase 2 Study (www.tjpdc.org/transportation/29H250_Phase_2_toc.asp) will be important components of the extended study.  This study area includes the corridor and its parallel networks stretching from the 250 Bypass to the Greene County Line.  Contract negotiations are underway and the public involvement efforts are expected to begin in February.  For more information, contact Harrison Rue at (434) 979-7310 x110 or .

TJPDC Welcomes New Workforce Director

The TJPDC is pleased to announce Todd Palmquist as the new Director of the Piedmont Workforce Network (PWN). Local Workforce Investment Area 6, known as Piedmont Workforce Network, covers two planning regions, Planning District 9, Rappahannock-Rapidan and Planning District 10, the Thomas Jefferson Planning District. PWN’s vision is “a community that works” and its mission is “linking resources to meet employment needs”.  Mr. Palmquist comes to PWN with over 20 years of executive level management experience, primarily in the non-profit and association field most recently serving as Director of Operations for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County.  He holds a Master of Public Administration degree from Indiana University. If you would like to contact Mr. Palmquist to personally welcome him, he may be reached at (434) 979-7310 x250 or .

2005 TJPD Legislative Program Available

The 2005 TJPD Legislative Program, which highlights regional positions on issues such as car tax reimbursement, education funding, the Comprehensive Services Act and land use and growth management, has been finalized. The text of the program is available at http://www.tjpdc.org/liaison/legProg05.asp.  Also, beginning in mid-January, you can check out the Legislative Liaison page on the TJPDC website for information about local government issues that are being debated at the General Assembly, which runs from January 12 to February 26. Major issues and action will be highlighted in a legislative newsletter published every 7 - 10 days.  If you have questions about the General Assembly, any legislative issue or the 2005 TJPD Legislative Program, please contact David Blount at (434) 979-7310 x350 or .

RideShare Program Receives Regional Marketing Award

RideShare recently received the Outstanding Marketing Campaign award given by the Chesapeake Chapter of the national Association for Commuter Transportation (ACT).  This award recognizes a company, organization, or individual who has developed and implemented a results oriented and innovative travel demand management (TDM) marketing campaign which might have included outstanding media involvement (print, broadcast, or Internet).  RideShare’s entry focused on its comprehensive campaign targeted to increase awareness and uses of alternatives to driving alone.  Various mediums were used including a new, more user-friendly website (www.rideshareinfo.org), radio and billboard ads, new service guide brochures, and new employer information packets.  For more information, contact Rhonda Edmunds at (434) 979-7310 x330 or .

Lovingston Safety Study Underway

Text coming from Bill.  For more information, contact Bill Wanner at (434) 979-7310 x390 or .

Executive Director Speaks at Several Seminars

Harrison Rue recently spoke at the Center for Transportation and the Environment on Transportation and Public Health: The State of the Science.  This national broadcast addressed public health concerns as they relate to transportation reflecting a broad range of issues, including pedestrian and motorist safety, hazardous materials remediation, and human health and physical fitness. More information can be found at http://www.itre.ncsu.edu/cte/2004teleconferences.html#Dec16.  He is also scheduled to speak on January 9 at the Transportation Research Board’s Annual Meeting Program.  There he will be part of a panel speaking on Transportation Infrastructure and Obesity: Emerging National Issue—Science to Solutions.  This session will look into the criteria that determine when a transportation factor graduates from an "association" to a "causation" of health effects, as well as to what extent human behavior influences transportation choices affecting health and physical fitness (and vice versa).  More information on this session can be found at http://www.trb.org/am/ip/assembly_detail.asp?id=2591.  For more information on these topics, contact Harrison Rue at (434) 979-7310 x110 or . 

Disability Services Board Recognizes Employer of the Year

The Jefferson Area Disability Services Board recognized Moore Masonry as its Employer of the Year at a training event held October 25 at the Doubletree Hotel in Charlottesville. Joe Moore of Moore Masonry was nominated for his genuine interest in job applicants, his willingness to provide a trial employment period and his encouragement to employees to increase their skills and advance in their careers. The Virginia Business Leadership Network (VABLN) also recognized local employers receiving a Disability Friendly Business Certificate including Gold’s Gym, Tuel Jewelers, Martin Hardware, the Colonnades, and Moore Masonry. The 'Disability-Friendly Business' program is designed to recognize and award Virginia businesses who have gone beyond the legal compliances of the ADA, and have embraced a 'disability-friendly' spirit toward the employment, accessibility, and service to individuals with disabilities. A listing of prior winners is available on the VABLN website (http://www.vabln.org/Disability Friendly Awards/DFB Awards 01-03.htm).

Public Comment Period Open for Moore's Creek TMDL Implementation Plan

Work on the Moore's Creek Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Implementation Plan is nearly complete.  The plan outlines actions to be taken to reduce the levels of fecal coliform bacteria in the creek to meet Virginia water quality standards.  Once the plan is approved, the TJPDC and others working in the watershed will be able to seek federal funding to assist in its cleanup.  The second public meeting for the plan was held December 9, 2004, which marked the opening of the 30-day public comment period. Comments may be made to Robert Brent ( ) at DEQ until January 9, 2005. A draft of the plan is available at http://www.tjpdc.org/pdf/env_mooresCreek_ip_draft_12_02_04.pdf. For more background on the Moore's Creek Project, visit http://www.tjpdc.org/environment/mooresCreek.asp or call Rochelle Garwood at (434) 979-7310 x320 or .

TJPDC Develops Regional Rail Conceptual Study

The Charlottesville Albemarle Metropolitan Planning Organization-TJPDC Regional Rail Conceptual Study was released in November 2004.  Developed by the Community Mobility Committee (a subcommittee of the MPO), this study identifies rail corridors and possible service options within the TJPDC region.  In recent history, many localities in Virginia, including our own, have supported similar rail initiatives such as the TransDominion Express (TDX), a regional passenger rail system that links Bristol to Washington D.C.  The TDX is discussed further in the report, which also includes other regional, commuter, and light rail options for the area.  While all these rail systems would benefit the TJPDC area, regional rail would more than likely produce the most immediate implementation because of statewide support and benefit.  By gaining support for regional rail now, commuter and light rail systems can become viable options in the future as traffic congestion increases on our roadways.  For more information, contact Ryan Mickles at (434) 979-7310 x290 or .

Solid Waste Working Group Addresses Implementation Issues

The newly formed TJPDC Solid Waste working group has met and is working on moving ideas from the regional plan update forward.   This group will also assist the TJPDC in its new role as the regional reporter of solid waste data to the Department of Environmental Quality.  The group includes local staff, business people, and other interested individuals.  If you would like to become part of this working group, please contact Bill Wanner at (434) 979-7310 x390 or .

Community Development Team

The TJPDC is linking several of its programs together under the umbrella of a new Community Development Team, including housing and homelessness, small town planning, environmental programs, and issues related to people with disabilities. Current programs and projects for the team include the Regional Solid Waste Management Plan, the Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan, the regional HOME Consortium, the green housing program, Thomas Jefferson Area Coalition for the Homeless, Homeless Management Information System, Lake Monticello and Fork Union Community Plans, Moore’s Creek Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Implementation Plan and the Jefferson Area Disability Services Board. Bringing these related efforts together into a team will promote greater communication and foster increased integration between programs. For more information, contact Billie Campbell at (434) 979-7310 x230 or .

Rue Serves on US EPA National Awards Review Panel

Harrison Rue recently served on the Review Panel for the National Awards for Smart Growth Achievement given by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  EPA announced five winners of the 2004 awards which recognizes outstanding achievement in smart growth by tribal, local, or regional governments in five categories: Overall Excellence, Built Projects, Policies and Regulation, Community Outreach and Education, and Small Communities. Through the National Award for Smart Growth Achievement, EPA seeks to recognize and support public entities that promote and achieve smart growth, while at the same time bringing about direct and indirect environmental benefits. Smart growth development practices support national environmental goals by preserving open spaces and parkland and protecting critical habitat; improving transportation choices, including walking, bicycling, and transit, which reduces emissions from automobiles; promoting brownfield redevelopment; and reducing impervious surfaces, which improves water quality.  For more information, visit http://media.smartgrowthaudio.org:2180/pdf/SGAwards2004_booklet.pdf or contact Harrison Rue at (434) 979-7310 x110 or .

TJPDC and Charlottesville-Albemarle Convention Bureau Receive Preservation Award

APVA Preservation Virginia, the state's leading historic preservation organization, has just announced a 2005 Historic Preservation Award to be given to the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission and the Charlottesville-Albemarle Convention Bureau for their work on the Heritage Tourism Map and Heritage Tourism ToolKit. Both projects were funded as part of the Thomas Jefferson Venture, with a state Regional Competitiveness Act grant. The awards will be made in Richmond on January 18th. The ToolKit can be viewed online at http://tjpdc.org/workforce/tjV_heritageTourism.asp and the Map at the CAVB site at http://www.charlottesvilletourism.org/.  For more info contact Billie Campbell at 979-7310 x 230 or .

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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 or by calling (434) 979–7310.

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Regional planning
linking transportation,
land use, economy, & environment.