June 12-18, 2007: ASAP Returns Volley in Attack in C-VILLE Weekly 'Opinionated' Column

ASAP Board member Rich Collins wrote an Opinionated column responding to an Opinionated column in the May 29 issue that took ASAP to task.  Rich responded to the rant and unfounded accusations against ASAP in a well reasoned piece that provided an intellectual framework and scientific basis for ASAP's positions.  In addition, ASAP Board President Jack Marshall and ASAP Board Vice President Al Weed wrote letters to the editor further elucidating ASAP's thinking and methodology for saving Albemarle and Charlottesville from the environmental and quality of life degradation caused by ever expanding population growth and development.  Check out these links to read these enlightening responses from ASAP's leaders: Rich's Opinionated Column,Al's and Jack's Letters .

Nov. 14, 2006: Letter to the editor: “Growth is not always beneficial,” by ASAP member Phil Marx, Daily Progress

“…many have warned residents of a shortfall in infrastructure dollars for years. The blame falls squarely on Virginia’s reputation as “developer friendly” - supported by the state’s adherence to the Dillon Rule… Developers descend on Albemarle because we have historically supported development without concern for the cost to current residents… Even if you aren’t concerned for the welfare of our quality of life and the natural beauty of Albemarle, maybe the impact on your pocket will cause you to take a second look at what development costs really mean to you. Blame the county for not having policy to ensure sustainable, healthy growth that includes identifying optimal population size…”
http://www.dailyprogress.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=CDP%2FMGArticle%2FCDP_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&
cid=1149191730525&path=!news

Oct. 29, 2006: “Biscuit Run to shrink,” Daily Progress.

“The proposal for a large residential development that would lie just south of Charlottesville won’t be as big as originally planned, according to a document recently filed with Albemarle County. The plan is meant to give a general picture of what the 920-acre Biscuit Run development may look like. The development is the biggest residential proposal in the history of the county. The current plan shows that the number of units has been reduced, the proposed school site is in a different location and the road system has been improved, said Claudette Grant, a senior planner with the county. Plans originally called for a maximum of 5,000 units. It would now have between 2,500 and 3,500, said Steven Blaine, a lawyer for Forest Lodge LLC, the developer…”
Full article at
http://www.dailyprogress.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=CDP%2FMGArticle%2FCDP_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&
cid=1149191403184&path=!news

Oct. 29, 2006: Editorial: “School issue tests growth,” Daily Progress.

Three of the most emotional issues in local government have got to be growth, money and children - and in Crozet they all come together in a potentially contentious fusion. The Crozet area of Albemarle County has long been designated for growth, and recently development has accelerated there - with predictable results. Many residents already worry that growth is happening too quickly, in the wrong direction and without sufficient controls, imperiling their quality of life…”
Full editorial at
http://www.dailyprogress.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=CDP/MGArticle/CDP_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&
cid=1149191422284

Oct. 23, 2006: Letter to the editor: “Growth neither moral nor a given,” by John Rogers, Daily Progress.

“The Daily Progress editorial “Growth halt not feasible,” Sept. 17, claimed, among other things, that a policy to limit growth would be inequitable...”
Full letter at
http://www.dailyprogress.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=CDP/MGArticle/CDP_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&
cid=1149191343949

Oct. 22, 2006: “Crowding in Crozet; Rapid growth puts strain on schools, buses,” Daily Progress.

Growth in student population at Crozet Elementary has exceeded expectations and Albemarle County officials have adjusted plans to handle the increase. Crozet Elementary has 428 students enrolled as of Sept. 30, making it over capacity by 86 pupils. As a result, three fifth-grade classes and the gifted program meet in four trailer classrooms. The county’s Long-Range Planning Advisory Committee will recommend to the School Board this week that it approve a $5.3 million addition to the school that would increase the building’s capacity from 342 to 513, a 50 percent increase.
Full article at
http://www.dailyprogress.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=CDP%2FMGArticle%2FCDP_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&
cid=1149191288467&path=!news

Oct. 13, 2006: “Report: Population density affects Rivanna watershed,” Daily Progress, 10/13/06, p. 1.

“The aquatic life in about half the streams in the Rivanna basin is impaired and the cause is strongly linked to population density around the streams, according to a study to be released today. The study, undertaken by Stream-Watch…”
Full article at
http://www.dailyprogress.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=CDP/MGArticle/CDP_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&
cid=1149191129670

Oct. 12, 2006: “Survey: We’re growing too fast” [initial blog plus 15 responses] Cvillenews.com.

“The results of Albemarle County’s latest citizen survey look pretty good, WINA reports. UVa’s Center for Survey Research surveyed hundreds of Albemarle County residents via telephone, as they did in 2002 and 2004… I think the most interesting numbers are those about growth: 64% believe that the county is growing too fast, and just a teeny tiny minority — 3.4%, or approximately the number employees at the Chamber of Commerce — support faster growth…”
Full chain of blogs at
http://www.cvillenews.com/2006/10/12/citizen-survey/

Oct. 5, 2006: “County nixes town’s appeal,” Daily Progress, p. 1.

The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors showed initial support for an unconventional smart-growth proposal on Wednesday, and also spurned the town of Scotsville’s request to fund a major street project. As board members weighed in on the possibility of setting an area’s desirable population in the county’s master plans, or planning documents that direct how development should play out in a given area, board members struggled with how to determine that number…”What we’re not talking about,” Slutzky said, “is the optimal absorption capacity in our community.” Slutzky said that perhaps the county should start to look at its ecological systems and infrastructure…and determine how many people would optimally fit into those areas so that resources aren’t strained nad quality of life is preserved. The idea received initial praise from some board members, but no vote was taken. The county staff will look into the issue and report later.

Jack Marshall, the president of Advocates for a Sustainable Albemarle Population, formally floated the idea at a news conference Sept. 13, when he stood with other environmental and civic groups and asked the board to consider the suggestion. A beaming Marshall nodded and smiled along with the conversation Wednesday. “They are recognizing the value of looking at the big picture,” Marshall said. “What tickles me is that they’re receptive to the concept of defining an optimal size and recognize the value in day-to-day planning decisions.”

Oct. 4, 2006: “Response to plan mixed; Slutzky proposal details debated” Daily Progress

Albemarle County Supervisor David Slutzky has said, “The devil is in the details,” a comment that seems to have captured much of the initial reaction to a new rural protection plan he outlined Tuesday. The plan would, among other things, introduce the idea of transferring development rights… Jack Marshall, the president of Advocates for a Sustainable Population, a group that wants the board to consider an ideal population for the county, said Slutzky’s plan is an “unfortunate” use of a good idea… “[The plan] has two elements that strike me as contrary to what we as a community really want,” said Marshall, who added that he was speaking for himself and not his organization because it hasn’t yet considered the plan…”
Full article at
http://www.dailyprogress.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=CDP/MGArticle/CDP_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&
cid=1149190963216

Oct. 3, 2006: “Slutzky offers growth plan,” Daily Progress

“Albemarle County Supervisor David Slutzky will detail today a new proposal he says would be a solution to the challenge of preserving the county’s rural character, while directing growth into designated areas and protecting the ability of rural property owners to get a return on the rising value of their land. Slutzky’s plan would give property owners in the rural areas of the county - which currently make up 95 percent of the land - the ability to sell the development rights from their property on an open market. Developers who buy those rights could, in turn, use them to develop land in parts of the county that officials deem appropriate for development…”
Full article at
http://www.dailyprogress.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=CDP/MGArticle/CDP_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&
cid=1149190947484

Oct. 2, 2006: Letter to the editor: “Growth: A pressing county issue,” by R. Michael Erwin, Daily Progress.

“I read the article “Group appeals for growth limit” in the Sept. 14 issue with great interest. If recent surveys are accurate, the “group,” in this case Advocates for a Sustainable Albemarle Population, speaks for the vast majority of Albemarle County and Charlottesville residents…”

Sept. 21, 2006: “ZPG? Has Albemarle population maxed out?” The Hook, 9/21/06-9/27/06, pp. 10-11.

“No-growthers want the Albemarle Board of Supervisors to identify an optimal, sustainable population for the county, a request that has critics questioning the legality and benefits of such a plan in an area where housing costs already prevent many workers from living here. Advocates for a Sustainable Albemarle Population went before the supes September 13, the same night the board tabled two other highly touted growth tools-- phasing and clustering-- because of a 3-3 split. ASAP was joined by the Sierra Club and Citizens for Albemarle-- but not the other major enviro org, Piedmont Environmental Council-- in making its proposal to amend the county's comprehensive plan and its plea that the county not change existing zonings in the meantime…”
Full article at
http://www.readthehook.com/stories/2006/09/21/NEWS%20asap%20population%20.doc.aspx

Sept. 19, 2006: “Three cheers for population control,” brief item in C-VILLE Weekly. September 19-25, 2006.

Advocates for a Sustainable Albemarle Population (ASAP) held a press conference today at the County Office Building, asking that County officials pick a size – any size – for the Charlottesville-Albemarle area and let that dictate planning decisions. “Some fear Albemarle’s growth will soon lead us to a tipping point beyond which our unique geographical, historical, and social characteristics are irreparably altered,” said ASAP in a news release…”

Sept. 15, 2006: “Groups debate ideal area population growth,” The Cavalier Daily, p. 1.

“Local environmental and population-conscious groups raised concerns Wednesday at the Local environmental and population-conscious groups raised concerns Wednesday at the Albemarle Board of Supervisors meeting about the ability to control Charlottesville and Albemarle County's projected development. The Advocates for a Sustainable Albemarle Population presented their "comprehensive plan amendment" for population growth in the County, according to Dennis S. Rooker, chairman of the Board of Supervisors. ASAP attended the meeting to ask the Board to define the area's "sustainable optimal ... population size," ASAP president Jack Marshall said. "The first step is to find out how big we want to be," Marshall said. "We haven't asked that question yet." …”
Full article at
http://www.cavalierdaily.com/CVArticle.asp?ID=27665&pid=1474

Sept. 14, 2006 “Group appeals for growth limit” Daily Progress, p. 1.

“Albemarle County should set a sustainable limit for its optimal population size and stop rezonings until it decides how much growth its citizens want, three environmental and civic groups told county supervisors Wednesday. “We now have about 130,000 residents together in Charlottesville and Albemarle County,” said Jack Marshall, a founder of the Advocates for a Sustainable Albemarle Population (ASAP) group. “How many do we want - 150,000? 200,000? 500,000?” Marshall asked at a news conference unveiling the group’s request for a county comprehensive plan amendment to define a sustainable population size for use in guiding land use and development decisions…”
Full article at
http://www.dailyprogress.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=CDP/MGArticle/CDP_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&
cid=1149190616147&path=

Sept. 10, 2006: ”Slutzky Proposes TDR” [initial blog plus 10 responses] Cvillenews.com

“Board of Supervisors member David Slutzky made an interesting proposal early last week, I’ve just discovered upon returning from a week’s vacation. He’d like to see the county allow transfer of development rights from rural property owners to growth-area property owners, meaning folks who live out in the country can sell their right to build more houses on their land to folks who already own land in growth areas. It’s a free market approach to shaping growth, requiring that nobody lose any property rights. Not everybody’s thrilled with the proposal, but this may well prove to be the most popular short-term solution to our growth problem…”
Full chain of blogs at
http://www.cvillenews.com/2006/10/09/slutzky-proposal/