This Week in Crozet
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This Week In Crozet (12/18)

This Week In Crozet (12/18)

Dec 19th - 25th

Crozet United
December 18, 2024

Connecting you to what’s happening around town

Forecast

Whenever I think of the past it brings back so many memories

Things to do

Winter Fae Court | Crozet Library | 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM | FREE | For all fae and fairies ages 13-18

Saturday, Dec 21st

Holiday Hangout | Piedmont Place & Whistle Stop Grill

Breakfast w/Santa | The Whistle Stop Grill | 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM | Special Menu of Reindeer Pancakes and Hot Cocoa
Piedmont Place Holiday Hangout | 11 AM - 3 PM
- Free ornament making with Rose’s Inspiration Station
- Free hot chocolate from Blue Ridge Bottle Shop and candy canes from Crozeli
- Free cookie decorating (Reindeer on the Rooftop ) at Bar Botanical - donated by DaH Catering
- Free holiday-themed exercise classes at The Basement (Check their website for details)
- A free jar of cookie mix with purchase at Crozet Creamery

Illuminated Walking Trail | Veritas Vineyard & Winery | 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM | $10 - $15

Wednesday, Dec 25th

Merry Christmas!

Jingle Jog | 11:00 AM | FREE | Casual event! Free, no chip, no timing! All are welcome to walk, stroll or run all or part of the race.

Want your event listed? Send us an email with the details. Lastly, this is a static newsletter, but life isn’t. Check the venue’s website to make sure the event is still happening before heading out with your family.

Our Town

Crozet Christmas Parade Spreads Holiday Cheer, Draws Big Crowd - The Crozet Christmas Parade brought festive cheer to the streets this past weekend, drawing a large crowd to celebrate the season. Families, friends, and neighbors lined the route, enjoying the holiday spirit and lively floats, all decked out for the occasion. From marching bands to community groups spreading cheer, the event showcased Crozet's charm and strong sense of community. A great time was had by all, making it a perfect kickoff to the holiday season!

Photos via Crozet Vol. Fire Dept FB

Planning Commission Gives Crozet Hope - Last night, after a marathon 3.5 hour public hearing, five Albemarle County’s Planning Commissioners said they would not support a request to rezone 30+ acres for the proposed Oak Bluff residential development because the County didn’t have a reliable plan to build the rest of the Eastern Avenue Connector in the near future.

In response, the applicant (Riverbend Development) requested and was granted an “indefinite deferral” which means they will go back to the drawing board to address the major concerns with their proposal before scheduling any more public hearings.

Some of the other key concerns raised by the Commission included:

The scope of the applicant’s de novo traffic study was insufficient, especially as it related to the southern part of the development near Liberty Hall.
The Commissioners urged the County to update the much more robust traffic study from the Crozet Master Plan to account both for the rapid pace of development and the County’s transportation infrastructure funding challenges.
The applicant doesn’t currently have the right-of-way easements necessary to access the property, which is further complicated by looming legal challenges
The County Staff’s summary report had not appropriately highlighted safety and other legitimate concerns raised by staff and community members

The Commissioners also engaged in a welcome and meaningful conversation about the ongoing inadequacy of Crozet’s existing infrastructure. There didn’t appear to be any dissent among the Commission on this point.

Several Commissioners also courageously addressed the elephant in the room: How should the County begin to think about and manage growth in Crozet (and the rest of the County) if it cannot simply afford the infrastructure needed to support it?

Luis Carrazana, the at-large representative on the Commission, led the way with common sense, persuasive arguments in strong support of the Crozet community. Chair Missel also provided effective guidance by reminding everyone that the Commission’s primary charge from the state is to “ensure that transportation systems are carefully planned”, calling attention to the substantial risks involved in the Eastern Avenue Connector project. Commissioners Bivens, Clayborne, and Murray also chipped in helpful thoughts.

The meeting felt like a watershed moment for Crozet. For a brief moment, the concerns of its citizens were not just listened to, but truly heard, and taken seriously.

Bill O’Malley, a Westlake Hills resident, summed it up best: “Tonight, the Planning Commission showed it understands that Crozet is at a critical tipping point. Their recognition of the urgent need for infrastructure is a promising step forward,” he said. “It was truly a great night for the Crozet Community,” O’Malley said.

We here at Crozet United couldn’t agree more. Stay tuned for further developments.

A video of the meeting can be found here

Jax’s Bar and Grill Closing - Jax's Bar and Grill, located across from Harris Teeter, has announced they are closing, with their final day of service on Saturday, Dec. 23 (8 AM–8:30 PM). In a Dec. 10 Facebook post, they shared that this weekend will be the last chance to enjoy their breakfast offerings and thanked the community for its support. If you plan on visiting one last time check before you go.

Crozet United is here not only to keep you informed, but it is also your platform to celebrate Crozet and the people in it.

Share your good news—like team victories, community cleanups, or any positive updates—with us. Small or big we want to share the good things happening around town.

On The Lighter Side

Before becoming a designated wilderness area in 1984 as part of the National Wilderness Preservation System to protect its natural beauty, what key material was mined in St. Marys Wilderness during the early 1900s?