The Charlottesville Planning Commission Awards have just been released for 2010, and Belmont placed first for overall ‘effort’, I’d say we read this as ‘outcry’, but either way it does show dedication.  The release states:

“Over an extended period of months, members of the neighborhood brought energy and focus to the
discussion of ordinance modifications for items related to the Downtown Belmont commercial area.
Noise, definitions of use, and public safety / pedestrian concerns were noted at public hearings regarding
a rezoning application in Hinton Ave. These issues continued to be discussed after the close of the
particular rezoning effort, with enough interest and energy to prompt City Council to initiate a special
research project for the improvement of public space and ordinances associated with small commercial
mixed use zones adjacent to low density neighborhoods. By keeping these issues before the Council, the
neighborhood has helped develop a series of studies and concepts for the Downtown Belmont area that
will help resolve similar issues in other parts of the City in the future.”

Hopefully the lessons learned in the troubled area will help guide future rezoning efforts, and create awareness regarding the possible pitfalls of mixing businesses of this type, with residents who give a damn.

Other notable winners are the “Outstanding Plan Of Development”, for the tie between the Fry’s Spring Service Station, and the Sunrise Court area, with the latter being recognized for “…preserving the ability of existing residents of the redevelopment area to stay rooted in their neighborhood (if they so choose.)”  Which sounds most akin to “letting people live where they currently reside, or not…”

Charlottesville City Council is convening for it’s first meeting of 2010 tonight (01/04), and the hot topic will be a petition from some Belmont homeowners to enact a new noise ordinance.  This topic was visited by downtown mall dwellers in March of 2008, when the city set the limit of 75db for round the clock operation of bars & restaurants.

While few, if any, citations have been issued in relation to the March ordinance, Belmont denizens apparently believe it is still ‘too darn loud’, and are requesting a limit of 55db after the 11PM hour.  BNAP, (Belmont Neighborhood Association President) Jesse Fiske, cited late nigh bands as a reason locals are unable to sleep or enjoy their premises.  Fiske is hoping the new law will provide a ‘tool’ for folks to utilize when combating this continuing problem.

To provide a clear(er) definition of the volume levels being discussed here, 75db equates to normal conversation heard from 3-5′ away, a dial tone provides 80db (@ speaker output), and a neighbors AC unit from 25′ away averages 57db.  Additionally, all volume levels are to be taken at the establishments door.  [Photo Credits]

The wonderful folks at the Cville Bubble Blog have returned to answer a few questions for us, and like Rosanne Barr singing the national anthem, a gaggle of sorority girls trying to hit the high note in “Living on a Prayer”, or Nickelback anywhere, things don’t sound very good.  You may remember the last interview cVillain did with them over a year ago.   A lot has happened in the real estate world since then, so I thought we could all stand for some updates.

Going through a roller coaster of answers, on topics such as BLOWmont, shrinkwrapping buildings, and getting out of town while you can, the Bubblers take us on a trip that doesn’t sound like too much fun.  Like a road trip to Minnesota with that flatulent uncle… a few high points, but generally unpleasant with no end in sight.  We asked:

1. Last time, you wrote, “The C’ville Bubble has burst.” Are we still bursting (in free fall) or are we anywhere close to being done (leveling off and stabilizing)? »Read More

We are taking back Belmont again (who knew we lost it?), with our third weekly Club Villain event tonight, hosted by The Local.  Theo & Adam have graciously put together some great food and drink choices, and we are looking forward to seeing everyone out and about to enjoy the evening @ 9:00PM.

Drinks:
Paulaner Oktoberfest           $2
Full Nelson IPA
Scrimshaw

Salty Dog           $4
Dark and Stormy
                                                                                    Local Margarita
                                                                                    Surprise Frozen Cocktail
Food:
Crisp Shrimp Tossed with Pickled Ginger-Black Sesame Aioli over Seaweed Salad – $4
House Made Mozzarella with Local Tomatoes, Basil, Tomato Preserves, and Extra Virgin Olive Oil – $3
Mussels Romesco with Spicy Tomato, Chorizo, and Pepper Broth, Garlicky Aioli, and Grilled Bread – $5
Antipasto Platter with Manchego Cheese, Local Goat Cheese, Prosciutto, and Salami – $5

Despite the rain, things were burning up this Saturday at Bel Rio as Trees On Fire returned with a not too loud, but quite energetic evening of organic, indie-folk-jams. Drawing from a wide range of musical taste, these boys inject an earthy, familiar vibe into a melting pot of  of dance rock, reggae, and jazz with plenty of jamming throughout. The sizable crowd was hit with a tornado of violin, saxophone, mandolin, funk-guitar and synth; and it was clearly evident that nobody forgot their dancing shoes! Trees On Fires’ execution and musicianship were top notch, giving hints of everything from The Beatles and Bob Marley to Phoenix and Mutemath. I was left wanting little more than a few memorable hooks, which I kept wishing I would hear.

Bel Rio is a family friendly+late night spot on Monticello in Belmont and I had never seen the place more crowded. It was my first time to catch the guys live and now I can see what all the hype is about. I will surely be picking up a copy of their latest release, Organica Volume 1.

Oooo that smell.  Can’t you smell that smell?

A birdie asks: What is that rancid smell covering Belmont last night and this morning?  Some describe it as “rancid wilderbeasts.”  Others say “festering carcasses.”

What’s that smell?

Letter sent in by a birdie…

Read our prior articles on Crush:

August 21, 208 – Our Love, Gregg leaves Crush

October 28, 2008 – Crush Rumored to be Sold

February 16, 2008 – Crush Rumored to be Italian Restaurant

Good Afternoon Crush Wine Lovers:

As some of you may have heard, we are going through some changes at Crush. After much deliberation over the past few months, Nan and I have decided to sell the wine shop to Michael Keaveny, who will be transforming it into an Italian trattoria/winebar. It will still include a wine shop, carrying many of your favorite wines from around the world. There will be a heavier influence of Italian varietals. There will still be the same focus on great wine values on which Crush built its reputation.

This has been a very difficult decision for Nan and me, but it was a necessary one. We really need to return our focus to our Insurance business and to our family. I am looking forward to building the business and coaching my kids’ sports teams; something I haven’t been able to do for the past year. We have really enjoyed being at Crush recently, especially the Friday night tastings. We have met a lot of great people and hope to continue these friendships after Crush is gone. We appreciate everyone’s business since opening in December of 2007, and we hope that everyone enjoyed what Crush brought to the community of Belmont and to the Charlottesville area. We believe that the spirit of Crush will carry on with the new venture that Michael will be bringing to the space. I will probably keep some limited involvement in the new business, possibly doing outside wine tastings and dinners, as my schedule permits. In fact, we still have our South American wine dinner this Saturday (which is almost sold out), as well as a couple of private tastings in late March and April.

After this week’s Clearance Sale, Michael will probably shut down the shop for a short period of time to bring in the kitchen equipment and other build-outs. For the time being, the Friday night tastings will be eliminated while the transition takes place. Once the restaurant opens, there are plans to have wine tastings/classes on Monday nights. As much as everyone loved our Friday night tastings, it will be impossible to continue them with the huge crowds we had on the busiest restaurant night of the week.

We will miss everyone, but hope to still see everyone at the new place, or around town. Please feel free to call us anytime at Coleman-Creasy Insurance, even if just to talk about wine, get recommendations, join us on wine trips, etc. Nan and I can be reached at (434) 295-1154. Stop by and check out some of the wine deals (and meet Michael) this week and you will receive more e-mails in the future as the restaurant opens. Thanks again for your patronage and friendship!

Sincerely,
Paul & Nan Coleman

From a birdie…

In mid-March Paul is selling crush to some guy named Michael who’s going to close it for like a month & make it into a “rustic italian” restaurant & wine bar. He wants it to be all cozy like NYC places with narrow storefronts. He’s keeping the retail but getting rid of the Friday tastings, because he doesn’t think there would be room.

that there is a new restaurant opening in downtown belmont. Have you seen all the moving around and renovation going on at what used to be Saxx Lounge?? No word on a name or opening date yet, but I’ve been told they will have live music on that beautiful stage there, as well as salsa dancing and a brand new kitchen to put out all sorts of tasty goodies.

Does anyone else know anything about this?

I think this is from one of the owners of La Taza:

La Taza was broken into for the 2nd time in a week last night (Sunday night). Did anybody see ANYTHING sunday evening and into the night/morning? i know that you all are concerned with the neighborhood and this has been devastating for all in Belmont.

The prior break in.  Suggestion for La Taza:  Get better locks!