2004-02-17 - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 Mr. Ben Ford, 117 Amherst Commons, representing Preservation Piedmont, urged Council to pursue nomination of Jefferson School for both the State and National Historic Registries. He said numerous organizations and individuals have worked to preserve Jefferson School. Mr. John Pfaltz, 1503 Rugby Road, referring to the City's budget survey, said that having 9 cents per dollar in the budget go toward administration and business services is too high. He said bureaucracy should be cut, not soc ial programs. He said the tax rate should be cut so there is no more than a 1% increase in taxes. Mr. Kevin Cox, 311 Fairway Avenue, said he walks a lot and supports the City's goal and vision to make Charlottesville more walkable. He said many in the community have not heard that message. He questioned the policy of advertising radar locations. He said giving people tickets will change their behavior. He said the intersections of Grady and Rugby and Park and High are particularly problematic. He suggested that a committee be appointed to look at ways to enforce and publicize laws. Mr. Richards Myers, 504 Grove Avenue, said a business, Virginia Neurocare, is being allowed to move in next door to him, and said that he already has a business on th e other side of his house. He said assisted living facilities are not allowed in R - 1 or R - 2 zones. He said the burden has been placed on the neighborhood to prove Neurocare should not be allowed when he feels the burden should be on Virginia Neurocare. Mr. Kim Tingly, 525 Grove Avenue, said he has visited Virginia Neurocare's facility on Carlton Avenue and he does not feel they are ADA compliant. He said the burden should be on the building official to assure they are in compliance. Mr. Charles Weber, 601 Locust Avenue, expressed support for Mr. Myers regarding Virginia Neurocare. He said they are licensed as an assisted living facility and our zoning ordinance does not allow that in R - 1 or R - 2. He said the Deputy City Attorney has said the facility is allowed based on facts presented to her. He said the question to Council is whether they want to defend the ordinance. He said Virginia Neurocare can locate elsewhere. Mr. Daniel Bluestone, 501 Park Hill, said the issue of Virginia Neurocare is a br ewing storm all over the city. Mr. Bluestone said research has been done by his U. Va. architecture students showing the history of the area proposed for Preston Commons which historically was mixed use and affordable housing. He encouraged Council to co ntinue to support the vision. He said he will be happy to have Councilors come to a presentation. Responding to a question from Mr. Cox, Mr. Craig Brown, City Attorney, said an appeal of the zoning administrator's decision regarding Virginia Neurocare h as been filed with the Board of Zoning Appeals by the neighbors. Ms. Richards noted that federal housing laws often supercede local and state laws. Mr. Cox said a proposal regarding a ward system will be coming to Council in March. Mr. Lynch said he is not sure where the policy came from regarding publicizing radar locations, and he does not see a purpose to the citizenry of doing so. Mr. O'Connell said he will provide Council with more information about publicizing radar locations. Mr. Schilling said traffic laws are flagrantly violated all over town. CONSENT AGENDA Ms. Richards removed the resolution authorizing the Health Department to retain funds from the consent agenda.