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2 <br />Mr. Long said the Mohr Center has been converted to a long - term residential program for <br />men only. Mr. Long said no facility is available to women and asked Council to oppose <br />this gender discrimination and to work with Region Ten to provide services to women at <br />this or another site. <br /> <br /> Ms. Stephanie White, 7 1/2 Street, S.W., also expressed concern about the <br />apartments proposed for Fifeville and said it does not conform to the transition zone and <br />is counter to what is needed in the Fifeville neighborhood. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said that many characteristics of the transition zone are consistent with <br />the apartment plan in Fifeville, and noted that by right the developer could build many <br />more apartments, but is voluntarily complying to build less. Mr. Cox said that an <br />innovative approach to home ownership is being developed as a result of this initiative. <br />Mr. Cox said a lot about the project is laudable, and he urged Mr. Crafaik and Ms. White <br />to talk with Planning Commissioners or Mr. Tolbert about this project. <br /> <br /> Regarding Jefferson School, Mr. Cox said the City is close to finalizing its choice <br />for a facilitator for the Task Force. Mr. Cox said that the issues mentioned by Ms. <br />Devereux are very relevant, and he hopes the Task Force will have a committee to work <br />with staff on the historic aspects of the building. <br /> <br />REPORT <br />: UPDATE ON TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS <br /> <br /> Mr. Jim Tolbert, Director of Neigh borhood Development Services, gave an urban <br />area transportation and development update, including current and projected traffic <br />counts and proposed development in the urban area. Mr. Tolbert also reviewed projects <br />in the draft TIP. Mr. Tolbert said issue s for future discussion by Council include the <br />North Grounds connector, Route 29 North interchanges, eastern connector, and the <br />Meadowcreek Parkway. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said that the amount of future development in the County is staggering . <br />Mr. Cox said he thinks Council will have to update its priorities and feels that a more <br />timely process is needed for realizing these projects. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch noted that the City looks like the transportation hub of the area, but <br />does not feel that is a sustainable pattern. He sai d he feels we need to get to the idea of a <br />regional network which would include a southern parkway, eastern connector, and North <br />Grounds connector, but noted that this is problematic because these are not located in the <br />City. Mr. Lynch said that part of t he solution inside Charlottesville is a good transit <br />system, more bike lanes, and more access for pedestrians. Mr. Lynch said he would like <br />to hold a work session on the matter in the near future. <br /> <br /> Mr. Schilling said that a related issue is the concern a bout the impact of the <br />potential development on the area's water needs. Mr. Schilling asked for information <br />about the increase of service based on the traffic light synchronization. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati said that the inability to deal with traffic is an issue s tatewide, but he <br />feels we have to confront the issue to maintain the quality of life in Charlottesville. He <br />said we need to have a better way to coordinate with Albemarle County as well as better <br />communication and cooperation with the University of Virgin ia. Mr. Caravati said that <br />the North Grounds connector is important especially with the new arena. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said that new employment centers are being developed to the north and <br />east of the City, but there are no options to get there other than by car. Mr. Cox said he <br />thinks Council needs to formally take a position on grade separated interchanges at the <br />North Grounds connector. He said he would like Council to prioritize projects and have <br />the TIP match that priority list. Mr. Cox said he would also li ke Council to rethink <br />projects that are mostly beautification, such as Fontaine Avenue. He said that if a lot of <br />new roads are not going to be built, we should decide what we are using transportation <br />money for, and perhaps redirect it to transit. Mr. Cox said he would like to explore <br />making a long - term commitment, and to come up with a set of proposals for how we do <br />that, as well as conceive of a new mechanism for developing and implementing these <br />