Economic Development: September 26, 2005 Nellysford Community Planning Workshop Results

September 26, 2005 Nellysford Community Planning Workshop Results

NELLYSFORD COMMUNITY PLAN
September 26, 2005 Workshop Results

On September 26, 2005, over 175 residents and business owners met to identify the most important enhancements for the Nellysford community. As one participant said, we want Nellysford to grow while staying “A place where everybody still waves at each other.” The following is a summary of the ideas expressed at this workshop.

Growth Management
Places to Gather
•   Create a “Main Street”
•   Create an identifiable destination
•   Small sitting areas
•   Focused, compact growth
•   A visible center of town
•   A County Park

Design Guidelines
•   Protect night sky
•   Parking in rear of stores
•   Good architectural standards
•   Street trees and plantings
•   Restrict light and noise
•   Low profile signs
•   Enhance the historic character
•   Maximum of 2, or 3 story buildings
•   Litter receptacles

How to Grow
•   Preserve large tracts of rural land by focusing compact development in villages
•   Integrate Wintergreen and Stoney Creek
•   No development between hardware store and post office
•   Develop old Nellysford School
•   Side streets off of Route 151
•   Not as strip malls

Economic Development
Types of Commerce
•   Medical Clinic
•   Coffee shop
•   Restaurants
•   Crafts/Artist Colony
•   Florist
•   Grocery Store
•   Bed and Breakfast
•   College
•   Pharmacy
•   Farmers Market
•   Car Wash
•   Movie Theater
•   Museum
•   Gas Station
•   Tourist-Oriented
•   Theme Park

Where and What
•   Not at Route 151 and Route 664 Intersection
•   In a Commercial Center
•   Small, local stores rather than big box and chain stores
•   No Heavy Industry

Transportation
Traffic
•   No traffic light
•   Divert local 151 traffic onto new roads parallel and perpendicular to 151
•   Safer intersections with Route 151
•   Reduce speed limit on 151
•   Reduce heavy truck traffic
•   Widen Route 151
Pedestrians
•   Ensure safe low of pedestrians
•   Add sidewalks in new development to connect with existing development
Bicyclists
•   Add bike lane on Route 151
•   Include needs of bicyclists in future development
Transit
•   Transit to and from Wintergreen
•   Transit Charlottesville and Waynesboro
•   Transit for persons with disabilities and the elderly
•   Upgrade Rockfish Air Park

Housing
•   More affordable housing
•   No extremely high density
•   Senior housing
•   Elder care
•   Locate off of Route 151
•   Historic preservation

Public Services

Infrastructure
•   Adequate water and sewer
•   Underground utility lines

Community Services
•   County park on east side of Route 151
•   Community center
•   Teen center
•   Library
•   Center for non-profits

Environment
•   Protect natural heritage
•   Promote outdoor activities
•   Emphasize the environmental importance of the Blue Ridge

Small Group Prioritizing Exercise

Group 1
Group Issues
•   Common signage for Merchants
•   Need for more commercial businesses such as: drug store, restaurants, and a co-op market as part of a new pedestrian mall.
•   A new pedestrian mall that encourages the development of local businesses.
•   Affordable housing for Nellysford.
Mapping Exercise
•   New Housing to be built in the NE section of the Village Center.
•   Adjacent to the SW area of the Village Center, a new roundabout and pedestrian crossing are needed.
•   Two Lanes for 151, with roundabouts placed as needed with at least one pedestrian crossing.
•   A new bike/walk trail that follows the Rockfish River and has a series of links to 151.
•   Build a Compact village center that is pedestrian friendly between 634 and Valleymont Market
•   The village growth boundaries would remain along 151 in the form of a corridor.
•   New business/residential mixed use development as a two story building with the housing to be on top across from Village Green

Group 2
Group Issues
•   Maintain commercial, retail, office, and residential density in center of town and with pedestrian friendly gathering places and walkways
•   Two story town center with businesses
•   Green space for parks and farmers market
•   Two roundabouts on Rt. 151b (Reduce speed to 35-mph)
•   Pedestrian/bike way along Route 151
•   Walkways into town center
•   River walkway to town center and outward
•   Synergy with Wintergreen projects

Mapping Exercise
•   River walkway
•   Two roundabouts: one at the convenience market west of town and one on the intersection of 634 and 151 east of town
•   Pedestrian bike / walkway along 151
•   Two story town center near existing Village Green with business area
•   Green walkways into town center and parks
•   Green space for parks and farmers market
•   Reduce speed to 35 mph

Group 3
Group Issues
•   Retain rural nature trails
•   Traffic Calming: roundabout and medians
•   Limit speed to 35-mph through town
•   No semi-trucks
•   New bike paths
•   Village type development: side street behind valley green, connecting roads, include library, underground utilities, ensure sufficient water, and sewage
•   Permanent Farmer’s Market
•   Beautiful park-like area for people to meet

Mapping Exercise
•   Improve intersection at Route 627 and 151.
•   Traffic Gateway Median east of town
•   Median west of town in front of mini-shopping area.
•   Farmers market west of town at Routes 627/151 intersection
•   Wildlife / Hiking trail along Monocan Drive, then to follow the Rockfish River west
•   Roundabout on Route 634 and Route 151 intersections
•   Tree Lined Main street of Nellysford
•   Bike path to run along 151 from far west of town to new school east of town
•   Bike path to run from south on 634 across 151 to north on 634 to circumnavigate lakes
•   Village style development near the northwest corner of Village Green Shopping Center with new median on Route 151.
•   Bury utilities

Group 4
Group Issues
•   Roundabout at each end of Nellysford
•   Parallel service road (service)
•   Public gathering space.
•   Riverside greenway
•   Preserve mom and pop retail
•   Pedestrian friendly: bike, walking, golf carts
Group 5
Group Issues
•   151 traffic flow: one lane should be designated for speed as an alternate roadway
•   New bike trail, walking path, and no trucks allowed.
•   River park with trail and picnic area
•   Shopping Village concept: grocery store, restaurant, specialty shops, low rise buildings
•   Reasonably priced multi-family housing, maximum two stories
•   Ferrari dealership

Mapping Exercise
•   Keep 151 two lanes - control speeding, reduce truck traffic, make speed 30 mph through Nellysford
•   River park area to be along the south side of river
•   Transit to Waynesboro and Charlottesville
•   2 story village concept with pharmacy, restaurant, grocery store, library and novelty shops
•   New community center on 634 by the assisted living center
•   Biking and walking trail along 151.
•   New high density condos/houses and an apartment complex between Rodes Farm and Route 634, north and/or south of Route 151
•   A new bike and walk trail north of Nellysford and connect to the bike/walk trail on route 151.
•   Encourage a Bus Rapid Transit route to Wintergreen

Group 6
Group Issues
•   Keep the rural flavor
•   Good Traffic Flow
•   Pedestrian and Bike Friendly with slow moving golf cart paths
•   Village style center with a hometown feeling
•   Connection to Stoney Creek
•   More Pocket Parks with connection to a Rockfish River Greenway
•   Enforce Architectural Standards

Mapping Exercise
•   Walking paths to and from town including greenway along Rockfish River.
•   Bike paths from Stoney Creek to town center, with designated signage
•   Golf cart paths for use in town and in the back of town.
•   Medians/Roundabouts landscaped in center of town
•   Create Main interest into Stoney Creek
•   Create a town character like Duck, North Carolina or Hilton Head.
•   Existing downtown buildings to be refaced/restructured to incorporate country “old town” look/atmosphere.
•   No Outlet malls or timeshares. No fast food chains and no Flashing signs.
•   Traffic Calming/Speed Reduction Plan especially Rodes Farm
•   New non-stop JAUNT Shuttle
•   Shops for comfort foods, ice cream, coffee, donuts
•   Grocery store, variety of boutiques, florist, gifts, and dry cleaners.
•   Wintergreen Real Estate office style of building- no higher
•   Improve the looks by regulation and or removal of auto graveyards along 151 and Adial Road
•   Pocket park with playgrounds, exercise/health trail, jogging, dog walking, located along greenway with mature plantings of trees
•   Low density housing and improved affordability
•   Divided highway for main street Nellysford with pedestrian crossings.
•   Water Quality Assessment study

Group 7
Group Issues
•   Greenway along Rockfish River
•   Large town square and 2-3 additional smaller squares
•   Two roundabouts at each end of Nellysford
•   Recreation Area along Rockfish River
•   Farmers Market
•   Country Inn as focal point of town square for commercial, residential activities, and for overnight stop

Mapping Exercise:
•   A greenway parallel to the Rockfish River from the 2 points where the river intersects Rt. 151 with 2 connecting trails to Rt. 151 near Village Green Shopping Center and at Rt. 151/761 intersection
•   A central town square adjacent to Village Green with Country Inn (Crawford Inn) as anchor to include green space and sidewalks
•   A new road parallel to Rt. 151 from new central town square to the southern intersection of Rt. 151 and the Rockfish River
•   3 Additional town squares on road parallel to Route 151, also with green space and sidewalks
•   A series of grid style roads connecting town squares to Rt. 151 and its parallel road
•   A roundabout on Rt. 151 at the central town square and one at Rt. 151/664 intersection
•   A pavilion/farmers market adjacent to the Rockfish River at the site of the central town square roundabout or in one of the town squares
•   A recreational facility along the Rockfish River
•   Park and Ride lots at each town square

Group 8
Group Exercise
•   Water and Sewer
•   Central Market Area with shops and apartments
•   Bandstand and Recreation Park
•   A gathering Place
•   Roundabout on Route 151/Route 6/Avon Road Intersection to help slow trucks.
•   Bike path/Greenway along the Rockfish River
•   Mixed and Diversified Housing
•   More Historical Architecture
•   Transportation to Charlottesville and Wintergreen

Map Exercise
•   Tramway
•   Transportation to Charlottesville as well as medical facilities and mountain tops.
•   Mixed Use Area for commercial and residential activities
•   New Roundabout at Route 6
•   New traffic median at shopping area.
•   More bike and walking trails. Bike paths via the existing powerline easements and open space areas.
•   Parallel road along 151
•   Restaurants and small shops
•   Water and Sewer Infrastructure
•   Grocery store
•   Town Square Shops
•   Drug Store
•   Central Market Area and diversified housing
•   A Gathering Places

Group 9
Mapping Exercise
•   Wintergreen shuttle bus for locals
•   Bike Trail along Route 151 from 634 interchange to the west side of the Village
•   Special bike pedestrian path along Village Main Street.
•   Create Green space along Rockfish River.
•   Park and Ride and Roundabout at the 664/151 intersection
•   Study Floodplain, determine zones, and enforce
•   151 and 627 intersection warrants further study
•   New road to 29, more direct route.
•   Create a State Park/lake for fishing, boating, etc.
•   Preserve steep slope protection measures.
•   Enforce speed limits on Route 6, 151, and 664.
•   New sewer lines for new development near Village Green Center.

Group 10
Group Issues
•   Study Floodplain to see how many houses are in the flood zones
•   Enforce zoning in the area.
•   Create flood map with analysis of potential hazards.
•   Incorporate new streetscape into new plan.
•   Connect parking areas at the Bank, Family Practice, and Valley Green
•   New buildings should have consistent architectural styles or size.
•   New hike/ bike paths that tie into existing path
•   Provide new housing northwest of the junction of 634/151.
•   Improve airport and airstrip
•   Stormwater retention for new building projects.
•   New storm drain system.
•   Expand the public water/sewer.

Mapping Exercise:
•   New Park to be located on southeast side of 151/664 Junction.
•   New bike/sidewalk paths to run through town and NE on 634.
•   Create new side street for existing and new near Village Green.
•   Median Island on 151 in Village.
•   Improve the intersections on Route 151
•   Include sidewalks in town along 151
•   New left hand turn lane at 6/151 and add sidewalks and stop ahead signs.
•   At the intersection east of the junction of 634/151, add a bus stop sign for loading and unloading children.
•   Roundabout at 664 and 151
•   Create a new Park along the Rockfish River through a Conservation Easement.
•   New viable shuttle system from Stoney Creek to Mountain Village down Beech Grove to 151 and then up along 634.
•   Improve traffic intersection at 151/Rhodes Farm.
•   New traffic light for 627 and 151.
•   At Village Green, add a side road for the shopping center along with a new pharmacy

Group 11
Group Issues:
•   No fast food chains…
•   No stoplights in Nellysford.
•   Sewer and water for downtown businesses.
•   Control litter.
•   No motels.
•   Permanent pavilion/amphitheater/park for a farmer’s market and multi-functional events
•   Hiking trail along the Rockfish River.
•   A four-lane highway will bring too much traffic to Nellysford.

Map Exercise
•   A lower speed limit through Nellysford.
•   Strict architectural controls.
•   Create new Bike Trail along 664 and 151 from Wintergreen to entrance of Stoney Creek.
•   Create a new town center. Re-create the existing mall to include greenspace and a more pedestrian oriented environment.
•   Limit light pollution
•   Access from Bank to the Post Office without driving on Rt.151.
•   Preserve rural quality
•   No time-share condos
•   Conduct a 100 mile “day destination” study on Nellysford on how to make it a more attractive “historical place” for people from Charlottesville and other villages
•   New cell phone tower.

Group 12
Group Issues:
•   At the connection points with Rt. 151 East and West of town, a new bypass will have two roundabouts, one on either end.
•   Change 151 speed limit to 35 mph.
•   Preserve a variety of small businesses for the future of Nellysford.
•   Maintain the village character.

Mapping Issues:
•   New Rt.151 bypass with a 55 mph speed zone running between the River and the existing right of way of 151
•   A farmer’s market near the junction of Rt. 634 and 151
•   New access from the north side of Rt. 151 to run parallel and connect to Rt. 634
•   New village center with streetscape to include landscaping and sidewalks, as well as bike lanes, especially on the north side of 151

Group 13
Group Issues
•   Parking in the rear of buildings/businesses that front 151 on the north side of Main Street
•   Two roundabouts installed –one west and one east of town on the edge
•   Village Square as a centerpiece of the town

Mapping Exercise
•   New street grid dividing main street into three parcels based on large parcels on north side of 151
•   6-7 Median Strips along 151
•   Landscaped Sidewalk with Street Lights along R. 151

Group 14
Group Issues:
•   Improve Intersection for 613 and 151
•   Roundabout at 634/151 intersection
•   Sidewalks in town center
•   Pedestrian walkway-connecting to a new Senior Living Center northeast of the village near Route 634

Mapping Exercise
•   Two new roadways in back of the town center area that connect to 151 on either side of town and from new Roundabout east of town
•   New public park to be placed on the southeast corner of the town center on the south side of 151.
•   New Park and Ride to be sited on the south side of 151 in center/edge of town center
•   Traffic control medians placed in the center of the village on 151.
•   Bike and walking trails on the south edge of the village that would begin at the new public park and follow the curve of the Rockfish River
•   Farmer’s Market off the northwest quadrant of new roundabout at Rt. 634/151 intersection
•   Preserve natural areas of Nellysford
•   Farmers market to be permanent and located near 151/634
•   More regular JAUNT Transit Service

Group 15 (151)
Group Issues:
•   A County Park southeast of Town.
•   Ban large truck traffic from junction of 151/Rt. 6. Otherwise, for local deliveries only
•   Roundabout at Rt. 6 and 151 to discourage trucks.

Mapping Exercise:
•   Valley Green Center should be redesigned/revitalized (as a village concept/gathering place) with a roundabout in the front of it. Incorporate brick pavers and tree-lined streets
•   Residents want to see more coffee shops, a library, outdoor seating, two story buildings all along a three square block plan. This plan is to be pedestrian friendly and would remain in the same location as the present Center.
•   Roundabout to be positioned at R. 151/664 Junction
•   Walking trail with multiple access points along the Rockfish River
•   Bike trail on 151 through the west side of the village all the way east to 664/151 Junction.
•   Enforce & protect rural zoning standards to promote rural beauty for Rockfish Valley
•   Educate/promote and encourage rural conservation easements to preserve rural beauty forever