2003-09-02 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

3 PUBLIC HEARING/ORDINANCE : ZONING ORDINANCE Mr. Jim Tolbert, Director of Neighborhood Development Services, reviewed proposed changes to the zoning ordinance made since the last meeting. The public hearing was opened. Mr. Joe Wright, member of the Board of Director for Martha Jefferson House, 1600 Gordon Avenue, said he is pleased with the proposed change to allow assisted living facilities, but said that Martha Jefferson House has both as sisted living and nursing home components. He said there are currently 28 nursing home residents. He said Martha Jefferson House has been operating since 1957 and is compatible with a residential setting. He urged Council to consider allowing nursing ho mes by right or at least by special use. Mr. Kevin Kotlarski, 2316 Fontaine Avenue, Co - President of the Jefferson Park Avenue Neighborhood Association, said neighborhoods need more protection and preservation, is concerned with high density districts, wo uld like more protection for properties not facing on entrance corridors, thinks the three unrelated persons rule is not enforceable, and wants the two B - 2 parcels on Fontaine Avenue downzoned to R - 3U. Mr. Tolbert said he does not believe Council can l egally downzone the properties on Fontaine Avenue without appropriate advertising. nd Mr. Oliver Kuttner, 108 2 Street, S.W., expressed concern that no residential is allowed in M - 1 zones without a special use permit. He said allowing residential provide s security, affects rental prices, and provide a cycle for parking. Mr. Fran Lawrence, 1729 Chesapeake St., an attorney representing Grant and Barbara Cosner, owners of property at the corner of High and Long Streets, said the Cosners are good citizens a nd gave land and assess for the Greenbelt Trail. He said their properties are affected by the new zoning ordinance because of the corridor overlay zone. He opposed the ordinance as it applies to this property amounts to downzoning. Ms. Jane Foster, 6 Gildersleeve Wood, said the City needs long - term home owners and Council needs to help convert rental to owner occupied. Mr. Eugene Foster, 6 Gildersleeve Wood, urged Council to be careful in adopting the zoning ordinance. He opposed allowing high den sity residential by right. He said no one sees the potential loopholes at this point. Ms. Elizabeth Kutchai, 528 Valley Road, said she served on one of the committees when the zoning ordinance was being developed, and said the current ordinance has noth ing to do with preservation of her neighborhood. She said her neighborhood is being sacrificed. She said the spot zoning on Fontaine Avenue is bad and said the gas station can be there as a non - conforming use. Mr. Brandon Early, 1703 Grady Avenue, rep resenting the University of Virginia Interfraternity Council, urged Council to improve student housing, but to keep a check on sewage problems and trash. He said communication should be kept open between the City and University students. Ms. Nina Barnes , 2 Gildersleeve Wood, said that many of her Neighborhood Association members have written letters to the Planning Commission regarding the zoning ordinance. She said historic preservation and neighborhood protection should be the real priorities. She sa id she hopes Council has listened to residents' concerns. Ms. Monica Vieira, 2316 Fontaine Avenue, said she favors controlled growth and quality development. She asked Council not to give up on the Jefferson Park Avenue neighborhood.