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• Community VisioninW* CITY OF CILARLOTTESTEMLE •-ALBE.YLARLE CO E;N'TT • E.%TVE'RSrTY OF p-MGL%Z-1 I prefer the dream of the tuture to the history of the past -- Thomas Jefferson A Statement of Values We value a community made up of diverse individuals and groups who recognize the community's unique history and culture; who adhere to principles of justice, equity and respect; who practice stewardship of the natural and the built environment as well as human resources; and who make public decisions through an open democratic process. A SEILIL4RY OF OUR V7SION We visualize our community as one... • that balances the natural and built environments and that has a vital urban core surrounded by a rural area that remains predominantly green and open • where each individual is valued and where all can live affordably and safely • that has a strong diversified economy with opportunities for local businesses and meaningful jobs • that values and provides quality education for all ages, vocations, and abilities, and • that has open and accessible governments which cooperate to provide quality services economically. Our Community: What We See Today We see today that we reside in a very livable community, one that many visitors envy. We see an area rich in history that has evolved as the University of Virginia has grown. We see Charlottesville and the surrounding urban areas of the County as focal points for many diverse cultural, shopping, and entertainment activities as well as employment opportunities. We see the natural environment, the rural areas and the Blue Ridge Mountains providing a "green frame" and open space which enhances our community core. Though our community is within easy reach of our national and our state capitals and other large cities, we retain a small-town friendliness and sense of community. We take pride in the overall quality of our local go: -e -invents and the services they pro - de at relatively low costs. We also see that we need to improve. We are concerned about c.^me, drugs and safety for our citizens and visitors. Race relations, affordable housing and poverty are concerns. We see that unmanaged grc-uth car, mean sprawl but also, a lack of growth can mean a loss of economic opportunity and stagnation. We see our schools as bell-weUhers of e= community and are concerned about maintaining and paying for high auality education. We see transportation needs growing as we face increased traffic. We see a nee' for greater cooperation between the city, county, and university, as well as between our community and the larger region. We see a great deal of energy L- our our community. We area community . diverse in income, age, length of residence, race and, many times, opinions. We view planning, community involvement and active discussion as part of who and what we are. The nest twenty yea --S are c-acial to what we wish to become. ` Recommended by PACC Policy Council to Governing Bodies of the City of Charlottesville, Albemarle County and University of Virginia 5/26/94