Oak Bluff rezoning in Crozet deferred after lengthy public hearing; commissioners request additional traffic and stormwater detail

Riverbend Development and Greenwood Homes presented a rezoning application for a 33-acre Oak Bluff neighborhood in Crozet to the Albemarle County Planning Commission on Dec. 17, 2024. The proposal requested rezoning from R-1 to Planned Residential Development (PRD) for up to 34 units on the northern block and additional units on the southern block, with a 15% affordable housing commitment (per policy in effect when application was submitted). The applicant proposed to dedicate about 4.2 acres for a public greenway and to construct roughly 500 feet of a proposed Eastern Avenue connector roadway and to dedicate right-of-way for additional roadway construction.

Kevin McDermott, deputy planning director, outlined the site context: the property straddles Licking Hole Creek, includes flood plain and water-protection buffers, and is framed by preserved slopes. The application proposes public trail connections along the creek and a 30-foot buffer in edge areas adjacent to West Hall Drive, with a 3-story / 35-foot maximum building height and an affordable housing commitment. Staff's written report recommended approval with conditions, but raised concerns about impacts to preserved slopes, the lack of full Eastern Avenue construction and the…