Big New Subdivision Approved Along Virginia's U.S. 29 Corridor

A 277-acre development got the rezoning it needed to go from single-family housing to mixed-use outside of Charlottesville, Virginia.

1 minute read

November 13, 2016, 5:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


The county of Abermarle, Virginia applied its new Neighborhood Model for a rezoning of a 277-acre mixed-use development between Polo Grounds Road and the Forest Lakes community earlier this week.

Riverbend Development sought the rezoning for the Brookhill mixed-use development, which required a change from single-family zoning. The rezoning allows "between 800 and 1,550 residential units and a maximum of 130,000 square feet for commercial use," reports Sean Tubbs.

The Neighborhood Model follows precepts laid out in the Places29 Master Plan, which lays out a growth and development vision for the U.S.-29 corridor outside Charlottesville. The Abermarle County Board of Supervisors approved the rezoning despite opposition from local residents concerned about traffic.

Thursday, November 10, 2016 in Charlottesville Tomorrow

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

October 28, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour

If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.

October 28, 2026 - Grist

Lake Powell with much of the water evaporated.

Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River

Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.

October 30, 2026 - Yale Environment 360

Nilu Jenks wears a long gray coat and speaks with one man and two women outside.

Housing is the top priority of Seattle’s sole new councilmember

Jenks campaigned on building 1,000 new units of affordable housing.

November 8 - Reason

People sit on wooden benches on a bus in Miami

New tax cuts may slash $1.5 billion in funding for Miami transit, public parks

Amendment 3 will save Miami-Dade homeowners $2,700 in 2028.

November 8 - Miami New Times

Two men install solar panels on the roof of a house.

Arizona, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania hope to finally advance climate goals post-midterms

The three states have spent years under Republican or divided control.

November 8 - Grist

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.