The Albemarle County Planning Commission on Dec. 16 recommended approval of a rezoning that would allow a mixed‑use development on six parcels totaling 62.4 acres near the Route 29/ I‑64 interchange (Exit 118).

Staff principal planner Cameron Landgel told the commission the revised ZMA‑2022‑2 application narrows the residential range to a minimum of 275 and a maximum of 600 units, raises the minimum nonresidential commitment to 100,000 square feet and reduces proposed disturbance of preserved steep slopes to about 3.6 acres. "They are proposing to disturb 3.6 acres of preserved steep slopes," Landgel said, noting that revised engineering reduced impacts from an earlier submittal.

Applicant Ashley Davies of Riverbend Development said the changes reflect feedback from the commission and the community: "We did cut the residential density in half," Davies said, and the submittal now commits to 20% affordable units split between 60% and 80% area median income. She emphasized the project would include transit stops, a multiuse path and biofilters to protect Moores Creek.

Supporters at public comment framed the proposal as meeting Albemarle's development‑area expectations. Michael Monaco, chair of the Crozet community advisory committee, said the county needs dense mixed‑use housing and that the revised plan is an improvement: "The county needs housing. We need dense housing. We need rental housing," Monaco told commissioners.

Commission discussion centered on three tradeoffs: (1) safety of a planned pedestrian crossing across high‑speed Route 29, (2) whether the site can deliver both commercial uses and density given the steep topography, and (3) school capacity impacts for Red Hill Elementary and Monticello High. Commissioners and staff said VDOT has reviewed signal spacing; staff also noted the predicted student generation was reduced from earlier estimates (elementary student impact approximately halved if the site builds to maximum density).

After discussion a member moved to recommend approval of ZMA‑2022‑2. The commission recorded a roll‑call recommendation in favor; recorded votes on the motion in the minutes show majority support with two recorded no votes. The commission’s recommendation will be provided to the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors, which will make the final decision.

If approved by supervisors, subsequent steps would include site plan review, coordination of transportation improvements with VDOT (including detailed design of the signalized intersection and any pedestrian accommodations), and implementation of the applicant's code of development that contains the affordability and slope‑preservation commitments.

Next steps: The board of supervisors will consider the commission’s recommendation at a public meeting; staff and the applicant indicated further engineering and VDOT coordination will precede any construction.