VDOT Update on Rt. 151
Work on a Route 151 Corridor Study will be updated to review improvements in safety and make recommendations to the Nelson Board of Supervisors for use in land use planning. Rick Youngblood, manager of VDOT District Planning, provided an overview to the BOS September meeting. The corridor study includes intersections of Rt. 151 (Rockfish Valley Highway) with Rt. 6/638 (Afton Mountain Rd. /Avon Rd.), Rt. 840 (Tanbark Dr.) Rt. 635 (Greenfield and Rockfish School Lane), Rt. 6 (River Road) and Rt. 664 (Beech Grove Rd).
Month-long counts of both summer and school day traffic in 2022 along with accident history over the last five years, and truck-freight movement through the corridor are all part of the summary. An in-person outreach meeting is expected in late October at both Rockfish Valley Community Center and Rockfish River Elementary School. An online survey will also be offered.
A separate report from Len Stevens, Lynchburg VDOT office, offers an update on a culvert replacement project on Route 635 (Rockfish School Lane). A temporary roadway and crossing for vehicular traffic are now underway while the culvert is under construction, which is expected to wrap up November 18.
Board of Supervisors
A special meeting of the Nelson Board of Supervisors was held September 7 to discuss the Capital Improvement Plan following the recent purchase of acreage adjacent to the high and middle schools complex. The discussion centered on variations of a plan provided by Architectural Partners for constructing a recreation center and playing fields.
There were six options presented with various levels of enhancements from a splash park to a swimming pool with multipurpose recreation facilities. Costs were estimated exclusive of fields and site preparation with additional costs for roads, parking, lighting, landscaping, fields, playground, and trails.
Supervisors have details with floor plan drawings. Surveys will be sent to the public, who are encouraged to respond as soon as possible. Another special meeting will be scheduled in November before adoption of a plan.
Dogs Running At Large
A public hearing will be held October 11 at 7 p.m. in the Nelson County Courthouse to hear public input on the Dogs Running At Large Ordinance. The proposal is to amend specific provisions submitted by Animal Control Supervisor Kevin Wright that prohibit dogs running at large. The ordinance Sec.3-43 has been evaluated by Wright and found to be lacking necessary elements for enforcement. Wright is requesting the Board of Supervisors make changes to eliminate both civil penalties and written warnings and go directly to a class 1 misdemeanor for violators.
Piedmont Habitat for Humanity
Leslie Benz, Piedmont Habitat for Humanity Nelson County Committee Chair, was a speaker at the August Ruritan meeting. She also attended the September Car Show to promote available assistance to residents. Applications for affordable housing as a Habitat Homeowner in Nelson County are now open to county residents until November 15. Call 434-394-3001 or email [email protected] for an application.
Comprehensive Plan Update
Due to weather, the Forum for Results Input, a summary of public engagement from workshops and surveys, was rescheduled to Sunday, October 16 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Nelson Center at 8445 Thomas Nelson Hwy in Lovingston. More information on the update process is at www.nelson2042.com. Direct questions to the Nelson County Planning and Zoning Office at 434-263-7090.
Fall Events at RVCC
Tori Jenkins deserves some recognition for taking care of the lovely flowers and more on the grounds of Rockfish Valley Community Center, leading a volunteer landscaping crew. Help is always needed to keep our grounds looking great! First Tuesdays of each month are volunteer workdays. Contact Tori at [email protected] for more information.
The first Saturday of the month of October was packed with community events starting with the pancake breakfast, a flea market, Treasure Chest sale (half-off everything), Covid booster shots and an evening with a new documentary film on our Winning Community. The winter markets of local vendors will begin in November on the first Saturday of the month from 9 a.m. to noon. They will run through April 2023.
Elaine Larssen, community outreach and event coordinator, asked “If you have a few hours a week to spare, and would like to help out in a gorgeous, peaceful environment full of amazing artwork and crafts, please contact me at Elaine at [email protected].
Charlottesville Camera Club Exhibit
A reception on September 24 was the official kickoff of the Fall exhibition in the RVCC auditorium. The juried exhibition features more than 70 entries from Sept. 16 through Friday, October 28, and is open free to the public.
Plein Air Paint Out Returns
The Rockfish Valley Foundation is again sponsoring an outdoor painting exhibit October 7-9. For two days, 24 artists will be set up to paint along the Rockfish Valley trail. Youth ages 6-13 are invited for a free two-hour painting session at Spruce Creek Park on Saturday, October 8, at 10 a.m. in addition to nature walk and talks along the Camille Trailhead for all. Artists will return on Sunday from 10 a.m. to noon for quick draws at Spruce Creek Park and Glenthorne Farm. A public display and sale will follow from 1 to 5 p.m. at Tuckahoe Clubhouse. More details can be found at rockfishvalley.org.
