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Planners weigh Woolen Mills redevelopment plan amid floodplain, parking and river concerns
Summary
Albemarle County staff and the contract purchaser outlined a plan to preserve the historic Woolen Mills buildings while adding roughly 100 residential units and nonresidential space; officials flagged unresolved floodplain, steep‑slope, parking and access issues and public commenters urged stronger river protections and transit access.
Albemarle County staff and the contract purchaser of the Woolen Mills site presented competing priorities and outstanding technical questions at a joint work session with the Charlottesville Planning Commission on a redevelopment proposal tied to ZMA 201600016.
Bill Fritz, Albemarle County’s chief of special projects, told the two commissions that the applicant’s study shows the mapped floodplain has been revised downward but “the buildings are still within the floodplain,” and that the project will require additional applications including rezoning of steep‑slope overlays and special‑use permits for residential use and floodplain activity. Fritz said the county needs more detailed designs for any floodproofing measures before staff can complete its review.
“This study…shows that the flood plain is actually lower than was previously calculated. However, the buildings are still within the flood plain,” Fritz said, noting staff have not yet received the technical information required for a full permitting assessment.
Brian Roy, the contract purchaser, emphasized…
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