Always Working for Nelson County's Central District
A native, life-long resident of Virginia, Steve fell in love with Nelson County's rural character as an undergraduate at UVA.
Welcome to Steve Bayne for Supervisor
Background
Priorities and Focus
Priorities and Focus
I have been actively involved in many critical issues and initiatives affecting Nelson County, which has given me a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities. These include the development of the Comprehensive Plan, the Ordinance Update, Annual Budgets and appearing at every important public meeting.
As a retired Chief Financial and Chief Administrative Officer for growth-stage small businesses, I have the proven experience and am committed to working full-time to seize the opportunities while addressing the challenges on behalf of Nelson County residents.
Priorities and Focus
Priorities and Focus
Priorities and Focus
Managing and guiding growth and development for Nelson County.
Protecting the Rte. 151 Corridor from over-development and securing State Routes 151 and 6 as safe and beneficial highways.
Demanding effective financial management, fiscal diligence and discipline in the responsible use of our constituents' taxes to deliver county services.
Using strategic, business planning rooted in common sense to solve the challenges and deliver the opportunities for Nelson County.
Maintaining an open dialogue with the people of the Central District, keeping you up to date with what will affect us all.
Campaign Positions
Priorities and Focus
Campaign Positions
Managing and guiding growth and development. This includes maintaining our historic, rural and agricultural characteristics, protecting our waterways and aquifers, and taking steps to avoid becoming a bedroom subsidiary of Albemarle County.
Protecting the Rte. 151 Corridor from over-development and securing Routes 151 and 6 as safe highways. This includes finalizing the proposed Rte. 151 Corridor Overlay District, for Rte. 151 and Nellysford, which resulted from the new Comprehensive Plan.
Demanding effective financial management, fiscal diligence and discipline in the responsible use of our constituents’ taxes to deliver county services. This includes a policy of transparency and openness at all times by all governmental departments and organizations receiving public funding.
Planning, with a long-term view, of County staffing and capital needs versus reactionary actions often taken.
Adopting incentives, keeping taxes low enough that families can afford to keep the land that has been in their family for generations without having to subdivide or sell. This includes our farmers and ranchers.
Developing a strategic plan for housing stock that is affordable for Nelson County residents. This includes policies that encourage long term use of homes.
Partnering with our public schools. This includes developing a strategic plan to address declining enrollment with a focus on maximizing trade occupation training.
Identifying and adopting incentives which will encourage local residents to participate in our volunteer fire departments and EMS services.
Pursuing joint strategic planning with the Wintergreen Resort that would be mutually beneficial to Nelson County and Wintergreen.
Attracting and supporting small and large businesses in Nelson County. This includes designating industrial development areas for small and large businesses.
Priority Issues
Focused on the safety and beneficial use of Routes 151 and 6:
I have worked extensively and directly with VDOT to address traffic safety issues on Rte. 151 and Rte. 6, River Road. I will continue to push for more safety solutions, including reduction of speed limits, adequate turn lanes and restriction of tractor-trailer through traffic.
The County’s’ new Comprehensive Plan includes the key strategy of working with VDOT to address priority traffic safety issues such as reduction of speed limits, safety improvements at high crash intersections, adequate turn lanes and reduced tractor-trailer "cut through" traffic.
To this end I’ve supported and have been advocating for a new zoning district, the Rte. 151 Corridor Overlay District. Such a District will encourage a focus on Route 151 and 6 safety issues. At its March meeting the Planning Commission unanimously recommended the addition of the Rte. 151 Corridor Overlay District stretching from the Nelson-Albemarle County line to Rhue Hollow, south of Beech Grove Rd. During the subsequent joint meeting, the Board of Supervisors accepted that recommendation and approved the addition of the Rte. 151 Corridor Overlay District (CO151) to the ordinance update that is underway.
The Rte. 151 Corridor Overlay District will provide numerous benefits in protecting the Rte. 151 Corridor from over-development. The overlay district will also provide safety benefits, specifically by increasing the county’s control over the requirements and implementation of traffic turn lanes.
In addition, I provided the following public comments regarding through truck restrictions during the Board of Supervisors meeting November 14, 2024. This is from the minutes for that meeting:
Stephen Bayne, Nellysford, VA
Mr. Bayne commented that presentation slides regarding through truck restrictions were in the packet for the meeting and he was glad to see that. He asked the Board to consider the following – He noted that there were four (4) criteria and both one (1) and two (2) must be met, and either three (3) or four (4) must be met. He commented that the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) makes the ultimate decision on truck restrictions, but it would go to VDOT first. He indicated that he had spoken with VDOT the day before. Mr. Bayne spoke regarding criteria three (3) and noted that 151 was residential in nature. He commented that using typical criteria was likely not appropriate for a unique road such as 151. He then spoke regarding criteria four (4) and noted that 151 was also local functionally classified in addition to the actual functional classification minor arterial. He reiterated that 151 was local, in addition to being a minor arterial. He reported that VDOT confirmed with him that nothing had been received from the County and VDOT was very willing to help the County. He noted that in regards to criteria one (1), he challenged the current analysis as not being sufficient and with a notable error. He commented that while the current North termini were the roundabout intersection of Route 151 with Route 250, He stated that the termini should be the Afton Rockfish Gap exit 99 on 64. Mr. Bayne commented that without the additional leg, the calculated time differential was overstated. He stated that it was his belief that the time differences calculated were likely overstated overall. He then noted that it was highly likely that criteria two (2) was met in regards to safety issues and accident history. Mr. Bayne express concern that County staff was rushing it, and it was better to be thorough. He noted that VDOT had acknowledged acute citizen safety concerns for Route 151 and the through truck volume. He reiterated that VDOT was very forthcoming with their offer to help the County.
Contact Me
If you would like to volunteer or host a meet-and-greet You can contact me by phone or email. Phone: (434) 218-5398 Email: steve@stevebayneforsupervisor.org
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