Newsbrief Archive - Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission

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Post published:August 14, 2026

The Rivanna River Basin Commission 2026 Conference has announced the keynote speaker, Kristal McKelvey, Chief Recreation Grants Manager for Virginia DCR. Her presentation, "Stewardship, Access and Resilience in the Virginia Outdoors," shares insights from the Virginia Outdoors Plan, including regional recreation and conservation trends, tools for strengthening grant applications and local planning efforts, strategies for improving public and water access, and funding opportunities that support resilient communities.Please join us at this year’s annual conference, September 30th. This year's conference will explore the many ways stewardship is expanding access to our…

Solid Waste Management Plan Public Comment Period

Post published:August 13, 2026

The Draft Solid Waste Management Plan Update is now available for public review and comment on the TJPDC Website www.tjpdc.org/our-work/solid-waste/. Community input is an important part of the planning process, and we encourage residents, businesses, and stakeholders to share their feedback. Public Comment Period: August 1 – 31Comments submitted during this period will be reviewed and considered as the plan is finalized.Email: Please send comments to Isabella O’Brien at iobrien@tjpdc.org. Mail: Please mail written comments to:Isabella O'BrienThomas Jefferson Planning District Commission401 East Water StreetCharlottesville, VA 22902 Plan MaterialsDraft 2026 – 2031 Solid Waste Management PlanAppendix…

Deputy Secretary of Transportation Visits TJPDC

Post published:August 13, 2026

Virginia Deputy Secretary of Transportation, Laura Schewel, was in Charlottesville last month and spent some time with the TJPDC transportation planning staff. We had the opportunity to update her on transportation planning activities at TJPDC, including work on Smart Scale applications, activities of the Charlottesville Albemarle Metropolitan Planning Organization, and the Safe Streets and Roads for All plan and projects. Schewel also shared transportation priorities of the Governor Spanberger administration.

Former Commissioner Receives VAPDC Award

Post published:August 13, 2026

Keith Smith, past Chair and member of the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission, was presented with the 2026 Robert W. Baker Achievement Award from the Virginia Association of Planning District Commissions at the August 6 meeting of the TJPDC.The Baker Award recognizes persons who have been involved directly in planning district commission activities and who have contributed significantly to promoting regional planning and development in Virginia. Smith recently left the Commission after 15 years of service. He served many years as Treasurer, and at various times as a member of…

August 2026 Commission Meeting Updates

Post published:August 13, 2026

The TJPD Commission met on August 6, with the following items on the agenda:Laurie Jean Talun presented an update on the Regional Housing Study being conducted by TJPDC;Isabella O'Brien provided an overview of the development of updates to the regional Solid Waste Management Plan; The Commission authorized the Executive Director to execute a contract with the sate to serve as an implementation partner for the Rural Health Transformation Program;The Commission's "Remote Electronic Participation and All-Virtual Meeting" policy was re-adopted (annual adoption is required by state law)The fourth quarter FY26 financial reports…

Meet the Staff: Kate Wythe

Post published:July 14, 2026

Kate Wythe, Director of Regional Planning and OperationsKate joined the TJPDC on July 1st as the Director of Regional Planning and Operations. She studied architecture in college, and was introduced to city design and planning and switched paths. Kate earned a Master's in Urban and Regional Planning and a Master's in Urban Design from the University of Michigan. She started her career as an urban designer in Berkeley, California, drawing and designing not just houses, but entire cities. Family opportunities brought her to Houston, Texas, where she continued as a…