Cherry Hill
| Cherry Hill | ||
|---|---|---|
| Use Type | Residential (townhouses and single-family) | |
| Lot Size | 12.02 acres | |
| Residential units | 117 | |
| Approval Process | Planned Unit Development | |
| Date Approved | 2004 | |
| Construction Completed | 2007 | |
Cherry Hill is a 117-unit residential development located south of Johnson Elementary School, off Cherry Avenue within the Johnson Village neighborhood. The development consists of a mixture of townhouses and single-family homes on 12.02 acres, with 4.29 acres (35.69%) designated as open space.
Cherry Hill was approved on April 5, 2004 and completed in 2007. Prior to approval, the site was zoned R-1S.[1]
The townhouse portion of the development has access via internal roads as well as rear alley access for trash pickup and garage parking. The approval included one vehicular entrance and exit, with an emergency access & bicycle/pedestrian connection to the existing Johnson Village neighborhood. During construction, neighbors near the development's exit objected to this single point of vehicular access.[1]
History of the site
The land south of Johnson Elementary School was the subject of a zoning controversy during the 1963 Charlottesville annexation.
In January 1963, LeRoy Bruton, president of Johnson Village Inc. and the developer of the surrounding Johnson Village subdivision, proposed a shopping center on approximately 13 to 15 acres south of the school. The proposed annexation zoning map designated the tract as Business-1 (B-1).[2]
Residents opposed the commercial zoning. Gerald E. Fisher of 427 Moseley Drive, described as one of 13 homeowners who would be "directly affected" by the shopping center, led the opposition. A petition with 368 signatures was presented to the Charlottesville Planning Commission at a public hearing on January 17, 1963.[3]
Bruton argued that the land was "not suited to residential development" and that the shopping center would benefit the neighborhood, noting that residents "have a school, bus service and churches, but they don't have any place to buy a loaf of bread."[2] Opponents, including the Cherry Avenue Christian Church, argued that commercial development would "downgrade" the residential area.[3]
The Planning Commission voted to recommend that the tract be rezoned from B-1 to Residential-2 (R-2). Charlottesville City Council adopted the annexation zoning map with this change on February 1, 1963.[4]
The site remained undeveloped until the Cherry Hill PUD was approved in 2004.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Web. Planning Commission Work Session: Planned Unit Development Study, City of Charlottesville, retrieved 2026-01-20.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Web. Battle Over Shopping Center Expected at Zoning Hearing, Daily Progress, Lee Enterprises, 1963-01-16, retrieved 2026-01-20. Print. page 13.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Web. Planning Commission Opposes Johnson Village Business Zone, Daily Progress, Lee Enterprises, 1963-01-17, retrieved 2026-01-20. Print. page 21.
- ↑ Web. Annexed Area Placed In Zoning Districts, Daily Progress, Lee Enterprises, 1963-02-02, retrieved 2026-01-20. Print. page 9.