Board approves SOCA project

By Jeremy Borden

Published: May 15, 2008

In stark contrast to a hearing a year ago, the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors heard plenty of praise Wednesday for a Soccer Organization of Charlottesville-Albemarle project that would allow it to expand soccer facilities and be a boon for area sport enthusiasts.

Accordingly, supervisors unanimously approved the project.

Located within the yet-to-be constructed Belvedere development off East Rio Road, the project will feature six soccer fields as well as a 38,000-square-foot indoor practice facility that will include an office and locker rooms. One of the fields will be lighted and have a synthetic surface.

Last April, SOCA had asked the board to approve a similar project at its existing facility off Polo Grounds Road. But that land is located in one of the county’s rural areas, and supervisors, under pressure from nearby residents who railed against the project’s potential effects on a narrow rural road and the surrounding neighborhood, turned it down. They promised, though, to help SOCA find a more suitable site, and Supervisors Kenneth C. Boyd and David L. Slutzky helped match Belvedere and SOCA.

Supervisor Dennis S. Rooker said the project was a “win-win.” The new project is within on of the county’s growth areas and will serve as an amenity for Belvedere, residents and supervisors said. Belvedere donated the land for the project.

Chris Schooley, with Stonehaus development, has said he expects the indoor soccer facility to be built within two years or so; the synthetic, all-weather field in four years; and the rest of the soccer fields in six years. The development itself is also expected to be completed in about six years, Schooley has said. It is expected to offer 700 energy efficient homes from the upper $200,000 range to the mid-$600,000s.

“Nobody’s moved into a home … and nobody’s going to be surprised to have this in their backyard,” said Clark Coleman, a Forest Lakes North resident. “This is the ideal location that has come up.”

Forest Lakes intersection

Supervisors also said Wednesday they are working with the Virginia Department of Transportation to examine the intersection coming out of the Forest Lakes neighborhood onto U.S. 29, where an Albemarle High School student was killed last week when a tractor-trailer hit her car. VDOT is considering a lower speed limit.

“It’s on a lot of our minds right now, that’s for sure,” Boyd said.

Rooker said a project to widen and change the intersection was in the works, but has been pushed back because of declining transportation funding statewide. VDOT has made substantial cuts to projects across Virginia, and many have been pushed back. Gov. Timothy M. Kaine is holding meetings statewide to consider a new funding plan for the state transportation system.

The Forest Lakes project is one example of a delayed project. Currently, two lanes come over a hill, giving traffic little time to slow for the light at U.S. 29 and Ashwood Boulevard, the entrance to Forest Lakes. The project would have widened the road to six lanes and taken out the hill so drivers could see the traffic light sooner.

No peace department

A few Monticello High School supporters of a proposal to create a U.S. Department of Peace were denied after asking the board to adopt a resolution supporting the department they said would emphasize peace between countries in conflict. The department was proposed by Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich, a former presidential candidate.

Boyd said the Board of Supervisors — unlike the Charlottesville City Council, which supported the creation of a U.S. Department of Peace in a resolution earlier this year — does not take positions on issues outside of its jurisdiction. Instead of supporting the resolution, Boyd read a letter from the board.

“Social change through positive civic engagement is an honored tradition and we applaud … your involvement,” Boyd read.

Water plan

Supervisors also re-iterated their unanimous support for the community’s 50-year water supply plan. The plan has come under attack recently by critics who say that the current plan is too expensive and other options should be considered. Supervisors said they would communicate their support to City Council, which is weighing a decision on whether to reconsider the plan.

This article was edited to change U.S. Department of Defense to U.S. Department of Peace.