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Crozet residents press board for guarantees before approving Oak Bluff development
Summary
Multiple Crozet residents told the board they fear the Eastern Avenue connector and Project Heron are being used to justify denser development without ironclad funding or environmental approvals for a required bridge, citing a $17.3M funding ceiling and higher VDOT estimates.
During the matters-from-the-public portion, several Crozet residents told the Board of Supervisors they worry the county is advancing development approvals without firm guarantees that the Eastern Avenue connector bridge will be completed.
Janie Holbrook told the board the Kenley Horn risk assessment and the PPTA materials "overlooked the community concerns" and questioned how the countys figures square with media reports that previously cited a $23,000,000 estimate. She said there is a gap between that figure and the $17.3 million the county currently has identified in the capital plan and urged supervisors to require bridge design approvals before allowing new high-density projects to proceed. Carol Fairbourn and Bill O'Malley echoed concerns about cost inflation, environmental reviews and the regulatory approvals that would be needed if work crosses the FEMA floodplain.
Board members and staff responded in the subsequent item by outlining procurement options and the FOIP process, noting the FOIPs $17.3 million functions as a ceiling for public funds and that FEMA, DEQ and other agency approvals remain outstanding and will influence both schedule and final costs. The board's discussion that followed shows supervisors are aware of local anxiety and are asking staff to define risk transfer and mitigation in any future procurement documents.
