Landowner Proposes Massive New Development in Albemarle

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Updated: 9:50 AM Jun 8, 2011

A proposed massive new development could bring more people to live, work and pay taxes in Albemarle County. The proposed Somerset Farm development would be located just a few hundred feet from Biscuit Run State Park.

Posted: 9:42 PM Jun 7, 2011
Reporter: Jessica Jaglois
Email Address: Jessica.Jaglois@newsplex.com

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June 7, 2011

The proposed Somerset Farm development would be located almost 1,000 feet from Biscuit Run State Park. If approved, the development would house both commercial and residential property with up to 2,000 units.

The 600 acre property stretches for a mile along Route 20, near Interstate 64 and Avon Street, but only 317 acres would be developed, the rest would serve as open space.

"It's a mixed use, planned development to serve Albemarle County," explained Wendell Wood, owner of Somerset Farm. "It's five minutes from downtown Charlottesville - there will be shopping, all types of housing, conveniently located."

Members of the Albemarle County Planning Commission say they need more development on the south side of the county to meet the housing and shopping needs of new and current residents. However, some on the commission believe while water and sewer demands are not an issue, the depletion of environmental and other resources is a concern.

Commissioner Linda Porterfield voiced her concern at Tuesday night's meeting. She says that with more people the already strained fire and police departments would not be able to handle the demand. However, Planning Commission Chair Duane Zobrist claims the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors wouldn't let that issue slip through the cracks.

"I know the Board of Supervisors is concerned about that," Zobrist told CBS19. "I'm sure they will allocate whatever funds are necessary to make sure our community is safe."

It will be a long time before development can break ground. Wood and his staff will continue to work on their report and plan in anticipation of a public hearing in the fall.

Latest Comments

Posted by: Wood sucks on Jun 9, 2011 at 06:44 AM

Wendell Wood built my house and he cuts corners every chance he can. It makes me laugh he wants to build more when he did such a terrible job with the ones he already built. He is all about money, and hs no concerns for the quality of the product with his name on it.

Posted by: Disgusted Location: Albemarle County on Jun 8, 2011 at 04:40 PM

I just reviewed the comprehensive plan proposed to the County. It is definitely a pipe dream and does not address any concerns or issues that will arise from this development. The "plan" states that the roads are adequate and that there are plenty of utilities available. However, they are already building new townhouses off of Avon St. and they have been working on the electricity for those townhouses for months! And building on the mountain will be terrible, why would you want to ruin that beautiful terrain? Obviously people don't buy farms anymore, so the owner probably needs the money from this development, but it sucks for the rest of us....

Posted by: The_BlueSpade Location: local on Jun 8, 2011 at 03:15 PM

Well now, say here's a suggestion towards the county comphrehensive plan. Why don't the planning engineers take what's left of ALL the "open spaces" south of the city and tie them all together for one great big humongous park. That way the city and northern county urban ring can be left alone, for all the: resident commerce and industry growth the rest of us find necessary to live from. Oh but wait..... you'd need roads to STILL get between the two. You know how the moreso knowlegable amongst us (particularly in the city) DON'T WANT ROADS, even if their sole vehicle to get around only happens to a bicycle.

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