But where will they work?....

The NewsLeader has coverage of the Augusta BOS approving by way of a split vote, the plans for a 775 unit housing development in the county at a time when there are efforts to find millions of dollars to fill the shortfall in education funds. This development, which is more than the 692 in the comprehensive plan, will only produce "dozens of jobs" and put further strain on the county budget if additional jobs are not brought to the area...

VERONA — Members of the Augusta County Board of Supervisors decided on a split vote Wednesday to grant a rezoning request for a 755-unit housing development planned off Barterbrook Road just outside Staunton's city limits.

One of the largest planned housing construction projects in recent times divided the board membership with a 4-3 vote. Opposing the plan were Chairman Tracy Pyles, who represents the Pastures District, North River Supervisor Marshall Pattie and Riverheads Supervisor Michael Shull.

Beverley Manor District Supervisor David Karaffa, who represents the area, supported the project, which he said would bring a $110 million investment to the county while creating dozens of jobs.

The area has been designated for growth in the county's comprehensive land use plan, but supervisors who voted in opposition noted that the number of residences to be included exceeds the 692 the comprehensive plan recommends for the area.

Some residents nearby voiced concerns during a public hearing for the rezoning request about traffic safety with the new cars the homes and apartments would bring and about construction noise and pollution to nearby Christians Creek.
One neighbor owner told supervisors Wednesday that she feared the apartment complex could lower property values.

Dubbed in planning records as "The Villages of Vista Ridge," the development plan calls for Boyd Homes to build as many as 400 apartments, 270 townhomes and duplexes and at least 85 homes. The community would be built in phases over 10 years, and the developer plans to make improvements to Barterbrook Road to deal with the added traffic.

We could come up with our own numbers !...

The NewsLeader has an interesting story on the efforts of the BOS regarding the possibility of going back and reassessing the reassessments that became such a campaign issue for several of the now Supervisors...

The Augusta County government has sent out a formal request to companies to assess home values in a way that could provide some tax relief fast to citizens and possibly more financial help from the state to pay for public school costs.

Board of Supervisors Chairman Tracy Pyles of the Pastures District, along with newcomers David Karaffa of Beverley Manor and North River's Marshall Pattie, made Augusta's much-reviled 2009 assessment a central campaign theme for November elections. That reassessment raised property values and pushed homeowners' taxes higher during the worst of the recession.

However, Karaffa served on a board committee that explored Augusta's options on completing a reassessment soon, and they reported that the county's huge and diverse geography made an assessment study within a year nearly impossible.

With no chance at getting new taxable values within a year, Pyles said Tuesday he'd prefer setting up an in-house assessment department. Augusta could learn how Rockingham County is able to do it at the same price Augusta pays for the Commissioner of the Revenue's office, Pyles said.

If the desired immediate reassessment is so daunting that the county may not get any bids or responses from established professional services, what makes the BOS think they can do the same job "in-house" and better?

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Bob Stuart over at the NewsVirginian has coverage of last nights BOS meeting and the topic of possible cuts to the funding of the Shenandoah Governors School...

The Augusta County Board of Supervisors were confronted Wednesday night with a strong lobby from supporters of the Augusta County Schools, worried about potential budget cuts, including the possible elimination of the Shenandoah Valley Governor's School.
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Supervisors cautioned the speakers and audience to be patient. They said it was early in the 2012-13 budget process, and asked the audience to contact state legislators and asked for help with the budget needs. A $3.4 million gap in the Augusta County schools 2012-13 budget includes potential cuts in Governor's School funding that could eliminate the program in specialized math, science, technology and arts and humanities instruction. The Governor's School is in Tier 3 of the potential cuts in next year's budget by the school district.
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The budget problems are complicated, Pyles said. He said the county has lost enrollment in
recent years, and said the state has decided to ask localities to pay increased Virginia Retirement System rates in next year's budget.
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Pyles said he and other supervisors will meet with the area's legislative delegation today
and ask for help with the increased VRS rates. "If you want to do something, tell the delegates they need to represent you,'' Pyles said to the audience. He said the county does not want to lose the Governor's School and does not want other programs eliminated.

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Interesting how it is the Governor's school to be highlighted so early in the process....

Economic development...

Bob Stuart over at the NewsVirginian has coverage of the meeting between the Augusta BOS and economic development officials from Waynesboro and Staunton...

"Elected and economic development officials from the localities came together Wednesday at The Club At Ironwood to discuss how area job creation benefits all three jurisdictions. They also heard strategies from a state economic development leader on how to maximize the cooperation and leverage the region’s assets."
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"When Augusta County Board of Supervisors Chairman Tracy Pyles and new supervisors Marshall Pattie and David Karaffa ran in last fall’s county elections, they spoke of the need for regional economic development efforts and for pooling of resources."
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Pyles said the regional efforts are “all about having a vision and people getting along,” and he spoke of creating jobs for “our folks in Waynesboro, Staunton and Augusta County.”

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"Lehmkuhler showed numerous industrial sites in the Old Dominion that have been developed
as a joint project of a county and city. He said that when a major company comes calling, it’s looking for a site and infrastructure that is already developed as well as location. The incentive package also likely would include donated land, he said."
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"A Toyota plant that Augusta County fell out of contention for six years ago eventually went to Mississippi, where three localities gambled by purchasing $30 million in bonds. While the plant was put on hold when the recession hit, it’s now open and expects to eventually employ 2,000 people."
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"Pyles said Augusta was unprepared for Toyota. Obstacles included difficult negotiations with a major landowner in the northern part of the county and resistance from residents who did not like the idea of the footprint of a large auto manufacturer."
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"For future economic development, Pyles said the county needs to have the pieces in place.
That development that could impact the region might not be a Toyota-sized operation, he said, but perhaps a 500-employee plant on 500 acres."
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