Albemarle County BZA readopts rules, approves Bolling letter agreement and holds closed hiring session

The Albemarle County Board of Zoning Appeals approved routine minutes and procedural changes, accepted a letter agreement with a contractor and held a closed hiring session during its meeting.

The board voted 4-0 to accept a letter agreement with Mr. Bolling that begins July 1, 2025, and runs through June 30, 2026. The board also readopted revised rules of procedure and certified a closed meeting held to interview prospective candidates for employment under the Code of Virginia.

The meeting opened with a roll call and the board’s chair, Beau Carrington, noting there were no public hearings scheduled and moving to approve minutes from the Feb. 4, 2025, meeting. Member John Shepherd moved to approve the minutes; the board recorded a 4-0 vote in favor.

The board then reviewed proposed revisions to its rules of procedure, which were provided in redline in the meeting packet. Member Ronald Rosenberg moved to adopt the procedures as amended; John Shepherd seconded. Rosenberg acknowledged overlapping language in two sections but said the meaning was clear. The board approved the readoption by a 4-0 vote.

Member John Shepherd moved that the board go into a closed meeting pursuant to Code of Virginia § 2.2-3711(A)(1) to interview prospective candidates for employment; Ronald Rosenberg seconded. The roll call recorded four ayes and the board recessed into a closed session. After returning to open session, the board voted to certify that only matters lawfully exempted under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act had been discussed; the certification vote was recorded as unanimous.

The board then considered a letter agreement with Mr. Bolling, described in the meeting as starting July 1, 2025, and continuing through June 30, 2026. A motion to accept the letter agreement was made and seconded; the roll call vote was 4-0 in favor. The clerk recorded the vote as: Kurt Burkhart — aye; Ronald Rosenberg — aye; John Shepherd — aye; Beau Carrington — aye.

During old-business discussion, County Attorney Andy Herrick updated the board on two pending appeals involving Mr. Kostalak. Herrick said both matters remain pending in the circuit court and that there are not active court dates for either case. He added the court had inquired about setting a date for the Costa Lake (Kostalak) matter. Bart Svoboda clarified that the Costa Lake matter is the tree-cutting case in the Keswick area, while a separate matter involves property off Polo Grounds Road (referred to in the transcript as “Polo G”). Svoboda said staff is working with Mr. Kostalak on permits for structures on the Polo Grounds Road parcel and noted potential stream and permitting issues that must be resolved with state agencies before final determinations.

The board had no additional upcoming meeting items on the record and adjourned following a unanimous motion to close the meeting.

Quotes recorded in the meeting include the motion language to enter closed session: "I move that the Albemarle County Board of Zoning Appeals go into closed meeting pursuant to section 2.2-3711(a) of the Code of Virginia under subsection 1 to discuss, consider, or interview prospective candidates for employment," moved by John Shepherd. Andy Herrick, the county attorney, summarized the appeals status: "Both of those are still pending with the court. There are not active court dates for for either one of those cases." Bart Svoboda described the Costa Lake matter as "the tree cutting case" and distinguished it from the Polo Grounds Road matter.

Votes at a glance: minutes (Feb. 4, 2025) — approved, motion by John Shepherd, outcome: approved 4-0; readopt rules of procedure — motion by Ronald Rosenberg, second by John Shepherd, outcome: approved 4-0; closed meeting under Code of Virginia § 2.2-3711(A)(1) — motion by John Shepherd, second Ronald Rosenberg, outcome: approved 4-0 (entered closed session); certification of closed meeting — motion and recorded unanimous certification; letter agreement with Mr. Bolling (07/01/2025–06/30/2026) — motion to accept, second not specified, outcome: approved 4-0.

The board adjourned at the close of the meeting.