Hi everyone,

This is an important update. Per conversations with some council members recently, it appears the Special Use Permit for the Bird Street proposal may be approved in what is bound to be a very tight vote, one possibly requiring the mayor's vote to break a tie.  Why? (Want to skip ahead? Go to the "Here's how you can help" section)

A few reasons really, those have been covered somewhat in previous updates. However, recently an email went out requesting people living inside the town limits, and those outside the town limits in the greater Scottsville area, to email the town council to share their support for the development on Bird St. This email shared some misinformation on the statistics of the town.

As of Thursday, 17 March, one council member stated they received 8-10 emails in support of the development, which they felt was comparable to those who do not support the SUP. When asked if consideration was given for the nearly 300 signatures on this petition, the council member stated they erroneously believed most who signed were only against the Blenheim Road proposal, not both. 

So, with that in mind, we need your help again.

Up until today, we have not advocated for an email campaign. However, with 8-10 emails from citizens in town and those outside of town limits potentially swaying the descision making process, we realize now is the time to make the request.

(Don't live in the Scottsville town limits? That's ok. If  Council is giving credence to people who don't live in town who support this SUP then they have to give equal credence to people who don't live in town who are not okay with it...) 

Here's how you can help:

1- Email towncouncil@scottsville.org. Make sure to provide them your name and address. Share with the council the issues of concern you may have for this special use permit. Encourage the Town Council to deny the Bird St. Special use permit, or to delay the vote until the recently announced studies for the adjoining factory site (a FEMA floodplain analysis, a second phase environmental study, and a new VDOT traffic study) are completed and the results returned to the town. You can even encourage the council to consider developing the entire old tire factory site parcels together as one large cohesive plan as they mention in the West Downtown Small Area Plan. 

2- This may be key - Come to the Town Council Public meeting on Monday, March 21 at 7pm, virtually or in person, to voice your concerns on the project as it is currently proposed. 

3- Share this with request to your family and friends. 

We hope this respectful show of support against this special use permit can change the tide. That isn't to say we do not support growth or development as a whole, we are simply asking town council to get the answers the community has posed before moving forward on such a pivotal project to Scottsville's future.

As always, we appreciate your support in this effort.

Sincerely,

Citizens for Responsible Development in Scottsville, VA