2003-12-15 - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 network and pedestrian bridge over the train tracks. He urged Council to continue with "Sundays in the Park." Mr. Gib Akin, soon to reside at 615 Kelly Avenue, currently a County resident, said that while he was on the Planning Commission from 1988 to 1996 the Meadowcreek Parkway was in the Comprehensive Plan, but it said it would not be built unless othe r connectors were already in place. He said those conditions have not been met and he does not want an arrow through the City. He said people are wanted downtown, not cars and other approaches are needed. Mr. John Pfaltz, 1503 Rugby Road, said conveyin g land for the Meadowcreek Parkway via an easement is questionable legally. Mr. David Repass, 222 E. Jefferson Street, said Council should take an overview regarding conveying land via an easement for the Meadowcreek Parkway. He said the Chamber of Comm erce and three Councilors are embarking on a process that will actually delay the project by putting it in the courts. He said there are varying opinions on its legality. He urged Council to stop engaging in divisive political maneuvering and negotiate w ith the County. He said it appears there are at least four votes for the Meadowcreek Parkway if conditions are met. He said a regional network is needed and he urged Council to pull together with a common objective to move the Meadowcreek Parkway forward . Mr. Josh Wheeler, an attorney with the Thomas Jefferson Center for Free Expression, speaking personally, said conveying property via an easement is a debatable legal question. He asked that Council consider that even if it is constitutionally legal th ere are reasons not to approve it in this fashion. He said that how we achieve something is often as important as what we achieve. He said it is a statement of principle that park land is so important that a super majority is needed. He said the use of t hat property will be altered and it will functionally be a sale. Mr. Louis Schultz, 1809 E. Market Street, said he has received a citation from the City for his compost pile. He said he disagrees but there is no provision for an appeal. He said his pro perty was entered and some things removed. He said the City Code is in conflict with the Comprehensive Plan and with other parts of the Code. He said he has received varying opinions from City staff on the compost pile. He said his last appeal to Counci l was ignored. Mr. Nathan Van Hooser, 1215 Little High Street, commended the Parks Department for the work they have done on the agreement to allow a dog park to be located at PVCC. He said PVCC will work as a network of dog parks, but is not likely to draw people from Riverview Park because of amenities there. He said no longer allowing dogs off leash at certain times at Riverview Park would be bad. Mr. Ben Bates, 106 Cameron Lane, said he opposes the Meadowcreek Parkway and conveying property via an easement. He said it will be a super highway dividing the town. He said he would feel better about whatever happened with a three fourths vote. He said an easement amounts to an end run around the spirit of the law. Mr. Paul Mulberger, 414 Fairway Av enue, asked that the compromise at Riverview Park allowing dogs off leash certain hours not be changed if the PVCC dog park opens. Ms. Alison Ewing, 1900 Chesapeake Street, President of the Woolen Mills Neighborhood Association, urged Council to move for ward with the dog park at PVCC. She said Riverview Park bears the brunt of unleashed dogs. She urged Council to speak with Pat Plocek, Parks Manager, regarding compliance with the off leash rules at Riverview, and noted that she believes there is 40% non compliance. Mr. Cox reminded the public that Council has a work session on transit on th December 16 , noting that Council is poised to make a long term commitment to public transit.