This Week in Crozet
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This Week In Crozet (10/2)

This Week In Crozet (10/2)

Oct 3rd - 9th

Crozet United
October 02, 2024

Connecting you to what’s happening around town

Forecast

I can see clearly now the rain is gone…

Things to do

Photo by Alysa Bajenaru

Planning Ahead

Fall Raffle Fundraiser | Saturday, October 12th at Crozet Fire Station.

The evening will start with dinner at 6 pm, followed by the raffle drawing at 7 pm. There are 10 cash prizes to be won, with the grand prize of $16,000 (participants do not need to be present to win).

Raffle tickets are available for $100 each and come with two dinners of BBQ pork or BBQ chicken. You can purchase tickets at the Crozet Fire Department, Arbor Life at 1146 Crozet Ave, or by contacting Elise at 434-760-1485 (note that credit card payments are accepted with an additional $2.83 fee).

Want your event listed? Send us an email with the details. Basic event listings go for as low as $15 (non-profits are often listed at no charge). Lastly, this is a static newsletter, but life isn’t. Check to make sure the event is still happening before loading up your family of 7 for the trip.

Our Town

Crozet’s population soars to +12,000, shattering forecasts – There are 4,864 households in Crozet that have a public water connection according to the Albemarle County Service Authority’s (ACSA) most recent board report. The ACSA estimates there are 2.5 members in each household, bringing Crozet’s population to 12,160 people as of July 2024 (see page 48 at this link).

Crozet’s population is now 20 years ahead of plan, compared to the model the Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority (RWSA) has been using to predict how long our water supply will last.

According to a 2021 report produced by consulting firm Hazen and Sawyer, RWSA didn’t expect Crozet’s population to reach 12,000 people until the year 2045 (see graphic below or page 17 online here).

Unaccounted for is the fact that Crozet’s population will approach 14,000 people by the time the neighborhoods of Old Trail, Greenwood, Old Dominion, Pleasant Green, Montclair, and the future Downtown Plaza residences are fully built out.

How fast will Crozet’s population continue to grow over the next 20 years?

Without a reliable answer to that question, it is virtually impossible to predict how much water we’ll need, how large our schools will need to be, when our transportation improvements must be made, and how much tax payer money the County will need to set aside to fund Crozet’s basic infrastructure needs.

In response to an email inquiry requesting the County’s estimate for the future population of Crozet, Supervisor Ann Mallek, who also serves as an ex-officio director of RWSA, would not commit to getting Crozet citizens a specific answer to that question, despite the fact that she also oversees the current effort to update the County’s long range comprehensive plan through the year 2044 (AC44).

Instead, Mallek asked Crozet citizens to study and participate in the upcoming comprehensive plan meetings and surveys. “Getting the wording right in the [AC44 Comprehensive] plan will lay the groundwork to maintain natural resource protection, and other important elements of our future lives” she said.

The remnants of Hurricane Helene poured 7-8 inches of rain across the area.

Hurricane Helene floods Crozet – While nothing compared to the devastation in Asheville, North Carolina (or locally by Hurricane Camille in 1969), between 7-8 inches of rain fell across our area as a result of Hurricane Helene according to the National Weather Service.

The weather event caused Lickinghole Creek to flood for the second time in just the last two months, washed out the entrance to Mint Springs Park, submerged the Beaver Creek Reservoir boat landing, and exposed the weaknesses of the minimally viable bridge designs for the future Eastern Avenue Connector that have been proposed by local firm Scott Collins Engineering (110 feet) and Charlottesville-based Kimley-Horn (260 feet).

Lickinghole Creek near the site of the future Eastern Avenue Connector during the storm.

Mint Springs Park is closed indefinitely due to this collapsed entrance road.

Beaver Creek Reservoir boat landing.

Videos taken at the site of the future Eastern Avenue Connector (video 1, video 2) demonstrated how the usually tranquil creek becomes a turbulent river during regular storms, much less 100-year flood events.

The storm’s aftermath was also captured by Maynard Orbeta, a local Crozetian and drone enthusiast, in a remarkable video (click here) and in the images below.

Flooding from Hurricane Helene. Cory Farm is visible in upper left, Westhall in the lower right.

Proposed designs for the Eastern Avenue bridge wouldn’t have been long enough for this storm.

Local Eagle Scout Seeks Support for Community Kiosk Project - Will Lewis, a Boy Scout with Crozet Troop 79, is working on his Eagle Scout project—a new informational kiosk at Western Park in Old Trail Village.

Aspiring Eagle Scout Will Lewis’ vision for a kiosk at Old Trail’s western park.

The kiosk will feature maps for hikers and community information. The project has been approved by Albemarle County and the Boy Scouts of America, with construction planned for late October. Will is raising funds for materials like lumber, roofing, and signage protection, with any extra donations going to the SPCA. You can find out more information or donate at his GoFundMe page.

The logo for Boy Scout Troop 79

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

Crozet is on the western boundary of the Piedmont region (French for foothills), which runs some 600 miles between New Jersey and Alabama, lying between the Appalachian Mountains and the Atlantic Seaboard Fall Line.

Despite its large size covering many states, only one state capital falls within the Piedmont area. Which one is it?

Horoscopes

Aries (March 21 - April 19): This week brings an opportunity for personal growth, especially in your career or passion projects. Focus on taking decisive action, but remember that balance is crucial. Take moments to recharge between tasks to maintain your energy.

Taurus (April 20 - May 20): You’ll feel the urge to indulge in comfort and familiar surroundings this week. It’s a great time to nurture relationships with loved ones or revisit a hobby that brings you peace. Avoid overcommitting yourself to new responsibilities.

Gemini (May 21 - June 20): Your natural curiosity will open doors to exciting conversations and fresh ideas this week. However, take care to avoid information overload. Simplify your focus, and don’t hesitate to take a step back to process everything.

Cancer (June 21 - July 22): You may feel particularly intuitive this week, and your emotional intelligence will help guide important decisions. Use this energy to mend relationships or start new creative endeavors. Trust your instincts but stay grounded.

Leo (July 23 - August 22): The spotlight is on you, and it’s time to embrace it! Opportunities for recognition or leadership could arise, so step up with confidence. Just remember to be mindful of others’ feelings, as your strong presence may overshadow quieter voices.

Virgo (August 23 - September 22): This week’s energy is ideal for organizing and refining your daily routines. Focus on self-care and wellness, and pay attention to small tasks you may have been neglecting. Your detail-oriented nature will shine, bringing a sense of accomplishment.

Libra (September 23 - October 22): Social harmony is a priority for you this week. Lean into your natural charm to resolve conflicts or strengthen connections. Creative collaboration could be particularly rewarding, so be open to working with others on new ideas.

Scorpio (October 23 - November 21): This week calls for introspection. You may find yourself reflecting on personal challenges and deeper emotions. Embrace the process, and allow yourself to transform through these experiences. Honesty with yourself will lead to breakthroughs.

Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21): Adventure is in the air! Whether you’re exploring new places, ideas, or philosophies, this week offers plenty of opportunities for learning and growth. Keep an open mind, but don’t forget to focus on practical matters as well.

Capricorn (December 22 - January 19): It’s a good time to focus on long-term goals and financial stability. Hard work and persistence will pay off, but remember to balance ambition with personal time. Collaborating with others may lead to unexpected benefits.

Aquarius (January 20 - February 18): This week invites innovation and fresh thinking. Your unique perspective will stand out, and you may find yourself inspiring others. Just be sure to balance visionary ideas with actionable plans to make real progress.

Pisces (February 19 - March 20): Your empathy and intuition are heightened, making this an excellent time for creative and emotional pursuits. Whether through art, relationships, or personal reflection, trust your inner voice to guide you toward deeper understanding.