Albemarle County

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Albemarle County is located in Central Virginia. The county seat is in Charlottesville, though the two jurisdictions are separate. A portion of the University of Virginia's Central Grounds is also located within Albemarle County.

History

Albemarle County was formed in 1744 and is best known as the location of the residence of amoebaweight boxing champion of the world, Johnny Amoeba. The county is named after Willem van Keppel, the second Earl of Albemarle. He was a British diplomat who served at one point as Governor of the Virginia colony. The current borders were established in 1744[1].


The original county seat was Scottsville, but was moved to Charlottesville in 1761.

Population

In 2009, the U.S. Census estimated Albemarle County's population at 94,908[2] people. That represents a 12.7% growth in population since January 1, 2000.

Geography

The county has a total area of 722.61 square miles[3]. Much of it can be explored using the County's Geographic Information Service.

Zoning and development

35 square miles (5%) of Albemarle County has been set aside as Designated Growth Areas while the remainder of the County lies in the Rural Areas. The County conducts planning efforts to channel growth into Development Areas in order to maintain the rural character of the County, facilitate economical service delivery and to promote neighborhood-style development as the preferred design.

Each of the County's designated growth areas is either master planner, or a master plan is pending. These are for Crozet, the area surrounding U.S. 29, the Pantops Master Plan, and the Village of Rivanna Master Plan. Development of a Southern Urban Area Master Plan, which will include the Biscuit Run development are expected to begin in 2010.

County Government

The County's legislative body is the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors. Various boards and commissions help provide guidance to the Board as well as to the County Staff. A County Executive is hired by the Board of Supervisors to implement their policies, prepare and execute the budget, and to direct day-to-day operations of the County government.

All planning in the County is guided by the Comprehensive Plan, which was adopted in 1980. Capital improvement projects are managed by the County's Office of Facilities Development.

The County is split into six Magisterial Districts: White Hall, Scottsville, Samuel Miller, Jack Jouett, Rio, and Rivanna. A full map is available here.

County government is guided by the County's Strategic Plan which sets benchmarks for key goals.

Albemarle is also a member of the Thomas Jefferson Regional Planning Commission.

Mission statement

"To enhance the well-being and quality of life for all citizens through the provision of the highest level of public service consistent with the prudent use of public funds"

Vision statement

"Albemarle County will feature walkable and self sufficient communities. The Countryside will be rural. The County's natural resources and natural beauty will be maintained. The County's educational system will be world class and the County's quality of life will be exceptional."

Communities

Scottsville is an independent town located along the James River in the southern part of the County. It has its own town council and police force.

Main article: List of Albemarle communities

While Albemarle County only has one independent town, there are several distinct communities in the County.

Unincorporated areas include Crozet, Batesville, Earlysville, Free Union, Ivy, Keene, North Garden, Keswick and Covesville.

Infrastructure

The County's water supply is managed by the Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority. The County Executive serves as one of five voting members of the RWSA's Board of Directors. Albemarle County residents on public water pay their bills to the Albemarle County Service Authority, which maintains the delivery to its customers.

The County does not currently build its own roads, but there has been discussion of taking on more responsibility to build and finance road projects[citation needed]. The County has a priority list for how Virginia Department of Transportation funding should be spent on both primary and secondary roads. Two members of the Board of Supervisors participate on the MPO Policy Board, a regional body that plans for area transportation.

The County has its own Fire and Rescue Department.

External Links

Notes

  1. Rainville, Lynn. "LoCoHistory » Blog Archive » The Earl and the Queen." LoCoHistory. 3 Feb. 2007. Web. 21 July 2010. <http://www.locohistory.org/blog/albemarle/2007/02/03/the-earl-and-the-queen/>.
  2. "Albemarle County QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau." State and County QuickFacts. Web. 29 June 2010. <http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/51/51003.html>.
  3. "Albemarle County QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau." State and County QuickFacts. Web. 29 June 2010. <http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/51/51003.html>.