Category: development

Big Pharmacy

foo house
September 13, great discussion by the entrance corridor review board regarding proposed big box pharmacy which desires to locate at 1170 Emmett Street (southeast corner of the Barracks/Rt 29 intersection). The ERCB made comments based on the entrance corridor design guidelines and deferred the matter in hopes that the applicant will return with a plan that will complement the community.

nature bandaid

the tree of choice
Developers love the crape myrtle. Easy to plant, easy to maintain. Makes me sad. Why the circular sidewalk to nowhere? Why not plant a noble tree? A long lived native species that would create a quarter acre of shade, lower temperatures in the neighborhood, capture rainwater, feed and shelter local fauna. I think nature bandaid is Jim Kunstler’s term.
Places I don’t want to sit.

build out

UVA Parking garage
The desirability of a 3D tool so non-architects can understand the implications of plans, orthographic drawings, has long been discussed in local planning circles.
new hotel
The tools exist. SketchUp is such a tool. The building could be built with digits. Visualized in a way the layman can understand. Lets see what proposed development looks like in context before the bricks get mortared one on top the other.
10th and Page neighborhood
How will a neighborhood with a 35′ vertical envelope fare when more massive buildings come on the scene? Lets see it before we build it. Lets try visually informed planning.

drunken spider

Carlton Avenue

Here in the hinterland we run our utilities in the air. It is the cheapest way.
Akin to keeping our inventory of used auto parts in the front yard.
Some of the poles are owned by the Dominion, some are owned by the telephone people?
Providers who want to run wires and cable rent space.

A Green City
Charlottesville citizens live in a community with a vibrant urban forest,tree‐lined streets, and lush green neighborhoods.
We have an extensive natural trail system, along with (a) healthy rivers river and streams.
We have clean air and water, we emphasize recycling and reuse, and we minimize storm‐water runoff.
Our homes and buildings are sustainably designed and energy efficient.–Council Vision 2025