Update: Apology to Woods and Clarification

Early communications and flyers incorrectly stated that Lloyd Wood and Wendell Wood were involved in the project. The flyers incorrectly said Lloyd Wood was the property owner who was building the new apartments and road. We have learned that Lloyd Wood does NOT own the property where the new apartments are being proposed.

Also, we were led to believe Wendell Wood owned Albemarle Square. We have learned that the property owner is actually Dumbarten, and not Wendell. The Woodbrook Neighborhood Association would like to sincerely apologize to Lloyd Wood and Wendell Wood for the mistake.

Now, how did this mistake happen? There has been virtually no information flowing from Albemarle County to the Woodbrook Community. Charlie Trachta and I, had a meeting with County Planner, Gerald Gatobu, and discussed the apartments and learned about a proposed road into the Albemarle Square Shopping Center. Gerald mentioned there were difficulties with that connection, and brought up Lloyd's name. We mentioned Wendell's name at this meeting, because we incorrectly assumed Wendell owned Albemarle Square, and Gerald did not correct us. So due to faulty communications with Gerald, we incorrectly attributed the project to the Woods.

Further, in my discussions with the Developer, Andy McGuinty, I mentioned the Woods' involvement, due to my conversation with Gerald, and was again not corrected. Andy did finally correct me on 06/17/09. Charlie and I also asked the County to add us to their mailing list, and Planner Gerald Gatobu agreed. However, we have yet to see any correspondence from Gerald. True, he makes himself available when Charlie or I visit the County offices, and he shares information when asked, but we feel like we are having to extract the information, rather than it being readily provided. We still are not sure why he did not include us on his mailings, even after we requested that he do so.

This evening Lloyd came to my door to assure me that he had nothing to do with the proposal. I appreciated him taking the time to meet me and clarify his role. So. it was an unfortunate chain of events, faulty assumptions, and really poor communications all around, which led to the inaccurate flyers. Once more, we totally regret the mistake and apologize to the Woods. They have been important members of our community and we mean them no disrespect. We would have used the actual owners on the flyer had the County clearly communicated them to us.

But the new roadway problem still exists. Trying to set the record straight, we now believe, based on information provided by the developer, the owner of the property where the apartments are being proposed is currently owned by Charlottesville Realty Corporation. And the developer is Andy McGuinty, who works for Coleway Development of Charlottesville. Or at least that is what is printed on this document he sent me.

It is the developer, Andy McGuinty who is proposing the road or pathway into Woodbrook on behalf of the property owners. Charlottesville Realty.

Anyway, you know the rest of the story. Located in Albemarle County in central Virginia, our beautiful 40-year-old neighborhood with its quiet streets, well kept homes and beautiful mature trees have made Woodbrook a place to call home for over 200 families.

We aren't sure when, but at some point in time between January and now, the developer, Andy McGuinty, filed plans with the County to build a road which will enter Woodbrook at the intersection of Brookmere and Idlewood. The developer wants to build six apartment buildings behind Putt-Putt, off of Rio Road. The County has advised him that to meet code he needs to have another access road for these new buildings.

We believe there are other alternatives for those apartments, and that a road/pathway should never, ever be built into Woodbrook, regardless of the reasoning. Alternatives for the developer include connecting through Albemarle Square near Circuit City and terminating at Rio Rd at the existing light. Or a secondary road could flow through another section of the existing development and terminating near the Verizon phone store. Probably the best thing to do is fix the intersection at Putt Putt lane. Everyone knows that is a dangerous intersection and people have been killed crossing the road near there. The developer should work with the County and VaDOT, and add the badly needed traffic light at that intersection, along with pedestrian crossings. This latter is win-win-win. The County gets a dangerous intersections fixed, which also helps VaDOT. The property owner gets to build their apartments, and there is no new roadway disrupting the safety of a quiet neighborhood.

New news! Some of us have brought this issue to David Slutzky's attention. So far, David appears to be totally behind Woodbrook and will work with us to prevent a roadway from being built. David also mentioned that Biscuit Run has some sort of provision whereby the neighborhood of Biscuit Run will decide whether or not to open VaDOT rights-of way into their neighborhood. David suggested implementing a similar plan for Woodbrook. That way, we would not have to fight these things every five years or so. If the Woodbrook Neighborhood did not like a proposed connector to Woodbrook, we could simply say "no thanks."

If you'd like to express your opinion on the proposed roadway into Woodbrook, please come to the next meeting at the County Office Building (401 McIntire Road), on the second floor on June 23rd at 6pm and voice your concerns. Details...

Please help spread the word. Share our URL with your neighbors and express to them the importance of the meeting on the 23rd. It is important to our small Woodbrook community to make a huge stand for our neighborhood.

We encourage everyone with an interest in the proposed development to use the space below to post your comments.