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465 <br /> <br /> one but the project will attract new people and businesses to the <br /> City. He urged Council to be courageous on behalf of the City. <br /> <br /> Mr. William D. Coleman of Rockland Avenue opposed the project <br />and said that Council should encourage growth in the aoutheast <br />area of the City to counterbalance the growth along Route 29 North. <br /> <br /> Mr. John Houchens, preSident Of the Belmont Neighborhood <br />Association, said the e-ecutive board of the association is in <br />opposition to the tax increase, They support a referendum on the <br />bond issue. He'presented a petition signed by 488 people opposed <br />to the tax increase and said the proposed method of financing was <br />the main problem with the project in the eyes of most taxpayers. <br />He suggested licensing cats and a City lottery as ways to raise <br />revenue. <br /> <br /> Mr. Charles Lebo, president of the Blu~ Ridge Homebuilders <br />Association, was in~:favor of the project because of the extra <br />revenue it would generate within the local eco~omy. <br /> <br /> Mr. Stewart Gardner of Rock Creek Road said he was willing to <br />pay higher taxes for the project. He feels the residents of <br />Charlottesville don't have enough trust in their long-term vision <br />for the City. He wanted to make Charlottesville an even better <br />place for his children than it is now, <br /> <br /> Mr. John Rogen, a resident of Albemarle County~ was opposed <br /> <br />to the project. <br /> <br /> Mr. Charles Lilly of 804 Druid Avenue felt a highrise <br /> <br />apartment was a better use for the site and opposed the tax in- <br />crease. He felt there was not enough convention business to justify <br />the expense of building the complex. <br /> <br /> Mr. Hugh McFarlan of the local Ramada Inn said their year- <br />round occupancy rate was 70% and they are the largest meeting <br />facility in the area. He. doubted whether the need existed for <br />such a convention center and hotel. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cary Jackson, an owner of real estate in Charlottesville <br />and a resident of Albemarle County, supported the project because <br />it would prevent the tax base from shrinking further. He felt a <br />high percentage of the new jobs that would result from it will be <br />in the income level that is most needed for residents of the downtown <br />area. <br /> <br /> Mr. Tom Ruggers of 2315 Greenbrier Drive opposed the tax in- <br />crease. He felt nobody who is at the conference center/hotel would <br />be shopping in the downtown mall. <br /> <br />Mr. Sherman White of 607 Beechwood Drive is felt the private <br />sector does better at private development than does the government. <br /> <br />He felt it was foolish to build a project that private money <br />wouldn't s~pport entirely. <br /> A res~tre resident of Rocky Road spoke to say that he is on a <br />fixed, income and cannot handle more property taxes. He asked <br />Council to remember the retired who can't afford more taxes on <br /> <br /> <br />