Author Archive for Waldo Jaquith

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Crozet Cohousing Community Approved

Published by Waldo Jaquith on November 15, 2007 in Development. 23 Comments

Molly Lazard, of Blue Ridge Cohousing, writes:

Blue Ridge Cohousing, a group of residents forming a community in Crozet, was approved for rezoning yesterday on a property off Parkview.

Cohousing neighborhoods attempt to be both green and social, creating a community where neighbors know and care for one another. To that end, cars are relegated to the periphery and only pedestrian paths lead to clustered homes. The homes are all privately owned, but there is extensive common land and a shared community building with extensive resources.

Blue Ridge Cohousing is partnered with a nonprofit developer, Community Housing Partners, and will be building 26 homes, 4 of which will be designated affordable housing.

I ignore press releases (my mail client auto-erases any e-mail that contains the words “for immediate release), but this is too interesting to pass up. We learned about cohousing in my urban planning class some years ago and, while it’s not for me, I think it’s a brilliant idea. I’ll be interested to see how things work out with this project.

Scottie Griffin Turned Up in My E-Mail

Published by Waldo Jaquith on November 14, 2007 in In Brief. 5 Comments

The ironic return of Scottie Griffin.  #

Camblos’ Charges Against Wyatt Tossed Out

Published by Waldo Jaquith on November 14, 2007 in Law and Justice and Politics. 19 Comments

A judge has thrown out Jim Camblos’ bullshit charges against political opponent Debbie Wyatt, WINA reports on their unlinkable website. The charges were filed the night before the election, accusing Wyatt of violating a common-law charge contained within the Magna Carta. The thing stank to high heaven as a last-minute revenge ploy against Wyatt, and Judge William Ledbetter agreed, declaring that it “would be an injustice” to proceed with the case. Of course, Camblos will remain in office through the end of the year, so he’s still got time for more shenanigans. 10:35pm Update: Rob Seal’s got the story at the Progress.

Councilors Propose Tax Rebate

Published by Waldo Jaquith on November 14, 2007 in Politics and Taxes. 37 Comments

Dave Norris and Julian Taliaferro have proposed a cash tax rebate, Seth Rosen writes in today’s Progress. The junior city councilors held a press conference yesterday afternoon to announce a series of proposals, as detailed on Norris’ blog. With property assessments up year after year, and taxes along with them, the two Democrats are saying that enough is enough. They made four other proposals, too, including a greater emphasis on the performance of city spending, increased transparency in the budget creation process, a focus on cost savings & innovation and investing in city infrastructure. It remains to be seen whether the pair can get the support of a third councilor, or what city staff will make of it.

10:35pm Update: Charlottesville Tomorrow has notes and a podcast from the event.

Hillsdale Drive’s Proposed Route

Published by Waldo Jaquith on November 13, 2007 in In Brief. 1 Comment

Brian Wheeler provides a helpful overview of where Hillsdale Drive will be extended through, complete with photos. I didn’t really understand its route until I read this.  #