AGENDA DATE: 5/19/2021

TITLE:
Title
Authorize a Public Hearing to Consider a Virginia Byway Designation for Routes 240 and 810
BODY

SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Authorize a public hearing to consider a Virginia Byway Designation for Routes 240 and 810

ITEM TYPE: Consent Action Item

STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Walker, Kamptner, Herrick, Filardo, Rapp, McDermott, Butch

PRESENTER (S): Daniel Butch

LEGAL REVIEW: Yes

REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson

BACKGROUND: The Virginia Byway designation recognizes a road having relatively high aesthetic or cultural value, and leading to or within areas of historical, natural, or recreational significance. This designation may promote local tourism by providing an awareness of local significance and aesthetic opportunities regionally. Following a January 2019 discussion, the Board directed staff to request a Virginia Byway Designation eligibility study for Route 240 in Albemarle County from Route 250 through downtown Crozet, including the Historic District, to its intersection with Route 810 within Crozet; and of Route 810 within Crozet to the Greene County line (Attachment A). These two routes include approximately 21 miles in western Albemarle County (Attachment B). In January 2019, staff submitted a formal request to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to study and evaluate the routes for Virginia Byway designation.

STRATEGIC PLAN: Infrastructure Investment - Prioritize, plan, and invest in critical infrastructure that responds to past and future changes and improves the capacity to serve community needs.

DISCUSSION:
In March 2021, VDOT and DCR collectively evaluated Routes 240 and 810 for possible designation, and recommended that the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) designate these routes as Virginia Byways (Attachment C).

A county with a proposed byway may choose to hold a public hearing on the proposed byway des...

Click here for full text