Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission

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The Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission (TJPDC) helps coordinate planning across a wide variety of jurisdictions and regulatory agencies. In 1962, U.S. Congress mandated the creation of a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for each Urbanized Area with a population greater than 50,000. MPOs were created for the purpose of managing a regional scope for transportation planning. They raise no revenues of their own and act essentially as advisory bodies to the elected governments within their jurisdiction The TJPDC serves the City of Charlottesville, Albemarle County, Fluvanna County, Greene County, Louisa County, and Nelson County.

Background

The Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission is one of 21 such organizations in Virginia. The TJPDC's work is managed by a professional staff in cooperation with elected officials and citizens appointed by local and regional governments.

The Planning District Commissions aims is to "encourage and facilitate regional solutions to problems of area-wide significance." [1]

According to their website, TJPDC performs the following services:

  • Grant applications
  • Management for grant programs
  • Regional economic development planning, including feasibility and locational studies
  • Strategic planning for each region
  • Evaluation of opportunities for local cost savings
  • Land use planning services
  • Emergency preparedness
  • Water supply, solid waste, and other environmental resource planning, funding, and development
  • Technical assistance to smaller communities
  • Mapping and information services
  • Transportation planning
  • Liaison between localities and state agencies
  • Welfare reform planning and coordination
  • Administration of federal housing program funds
  • Collecting and maintaining data in cooperation with the Virginia Employment Commission
  • Holding regional forums and meetings to explore regional cooperation on issues such as sustainable development and growth management.

History

The TJPDC was created in 1972 in order to "promote the orderly and efficient development of the physical, social, and economic elements of the Thomas Jefferson Planning District by planning and encouraging and assisting governmental subdivisions to plan for the future.[2].


Current members of board

TJPDC is run by a board of directors comprising representatives from each of the member jurisdictions.[3]

  • Carl Schmitt, Chair, Representing: Greene County Board of Supervisors
  • Chris Fairchild, Vice Chair, Representing: Fluvanna County
  • Jason Pearson, Treasurer, Representing: Charlottesville
  • Tommy Barlow, Representing: Louisa County, Mountain Road District
  • Fitzgerald Barnes, Representing: Louisa County Board of Supervisors, Patrick Henry District
  • Fred Boger, Representing: Nelson County Planning Department
  • Connie Brennan, Chair, Representing: Nelson County Board of Supervisors, Central District
  • Joe Chesser, Representing: Fluvanna County Board of Supervisors, Rivanna District
  • Satyendra Huja, Representing: Charlottesville City Council
  • Ann H. Mallek, Representing: Albemarle County Board of Supervisors, White Hall District
  • Duane Snow, Representing: Albemarle County Board of Supervisors, Samuel Miller District
  • Andrea Wilkinson, CPA, Representing: Greene County

Current Staff

  • Stephen W. Williams, Executive Director (May 2009-Present)
  • Johnny Han, Senior Transportation Planner
  • Erin Yancey, Environmental Planner

Funding

  • Annual contributions from local government
  • Appropriations of the Virginia General Assembly
  • Grants from federal and state governments
  • Contract services
  • Private foundations

"In many instances, state funding of PDCs makes up less than 12% of funding to deliver essential services to local and state government. The largest source of funding is the federal government, which contributes 39%."

Planning District Commissions have demonstrated success and effectiveness statewide, and should be seen as part of "the solution" - playing essential roles in support of economic development and basic infrastructure and services for our communities.

They partner with Commonwealth agencies like VDOT to accomplish state projects and reduce the need for more state personnel.

Planning District Commissions use a small amount of state funding and leverage that funding many times over to deliver essential services in communities across the Commonwealth. The State investment is small and the returns great in support of State objectives.

They are a single comprehensive statewide network that achieves economies of scale through regional approaches.

Planning District Commissions work on a broad range of programs important to the State's future.

Memberships

TJPDC is a member of the Virginia Association of Planning District Commissions.

Former Leaders

Harrison Rue served as executive director from 2002-2008. Harrison Rue stepped down June 30, 2008 to take a position with ICF International. Chief Operating Officer Billie Campbell served as the acting executive director while a search took place during 2008-2009. That search resulted in the hiring of Stephen W. Williams who started work on May 11, 2009.

External links

TJPDC website

Notes

  1. [http://www.tjpdc.org/home/PDCinfo.asp TJPDC About Page
  2. United Jefferson Area Mobility Plan 2035. Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission, 27 May 2009. Web. 30 June 2009. <http://www.unjam.org/>.
  3. TJPDC Commissioners TJPDC, retrieved 2 Jul 2009