1979-11-19 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Public Hearing re: Closing the Concord Ave. & Dale Avenue railroad crossings to motor vehicle traffic Presentations: Virginia Municipal League Awards .I_69 .~Mr. Buck stated he would like some reaction from the staff on the implications of this program and then if Council thinks it is a positive thing then decide if the Council wishes to furnish funds for legal counsel. Mr. Buck stated he would like the staff to react to this proposal and decide how the staff and the development group could work together on thia project. He asked staff what lenght of time it would .take for the Charlottesville Redevelop- ment and Housing Authority and the City Manager's Office to respond to this request. The City Manager stated that between now and the next Council meeting the staff could take a look in more depth at what Lynchburg is doing and how it has worked there and give a 'report on that information. He stated the staff could give some information on whether it will solve some of the problems in terms of providing Iow interest loans to property owners in the Central Business District for rehabilitation purposes. A public hearing was held on this date on the matter of whether or not to close the Concord Avenue and Dale Avenue Railroad Crossings to motor vehicle traffic. The City Manager stated that in September signs were installed at each c=ossing giving notification that closing of the crossings was being considered and inviting comments. He stated as of this date sixteen responses have been received and all except one were opposed to the closings. Mr. Paul Phipps, owner and operator of Rudy's Rug Cleaning Service on Dale Avenue addressed the Council in opposition to the closing. He stated that more than 50% of his business is generated from people who bring their cleaning to the plant and the closing of this street could mare it difficult to reach his plant.by car. He also stated that deliveries of supplies to his place of business would be very difficult if this crossing were closed. He suggested that in order to make the crossings safer that some type of markings be painted on the pavement on each side of the crossing. A motion by Mr. Albro, seconded by Mrs. O'Brien that the Railroad Corssings at Dale Avenue and Concord Avenue not be closed, was unanimously adopted. A motion by Mr. Buck, seconded by Mr. Albro that the State Highway Department be requested to make a survey and recommendation concerning safety of the railroad crossings in the City, was unanimausly adopted. The'Mayor announced that at a recent meeting of the Virginia Municipal League Charlottesville and Albemarle received an Achievement Award for Regional Fire Protection. He presented this award to Mr. Julian Taliaferro, Mr. Jerry Fisher and Mr. James Samsell.