2004-11-10 - Laserfiche WebLink

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NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CHARLOTTESVILLE CITY COUNCIL WILL BE HELD ON Wednesday, November 10, 2004 AT 5:00 p.m. IN THE Basement Conference Room. THE PROPOSED AGENDA IS AS FOLLOWS: Work Session: West Main Street Urban Design and U. Va. Construction BY ORDER OF THE MAYOR BY Jeanne Cox BASEMENT CONFERENCE ROOM - November 10, 2004 Council met in special session on this date with the following members present: Dr. Brown, Mr. Caravati, Ms. Hamilton, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Schilling. West Main Street Urban Design Mr. O'Connell explained that the intent of the meeting is to present concepts and schematics, not specific, detailed plans. He said he would like to get Council's overall reactions to the plans. Mr. Ignacio Bunster-Ossa of WRT Consultants, said that the plan for West Main Street stresses the need to improve pedestrian access and transit. He said parking strategies include access to parking lots from side streets. He presented building massing ideas and transit options. Responding to a question from Mr. Schilling, Mr. Bunster-Ossa said that higher density could be allowed in exchange for an easement for wider sidewalks on the south side which would be bricked. Mr. Lynch expressed concern that some of the potential development parcels identified are historic buildings. He also expressed concern about the proposed access to parking, noting that there are no real parallel streets and there has not been buy-in from the neighborhoods for this idea. Mr. Bunster-Ossa said access could be from side streets. Mr. Lynch said how this is presented to neighborhood is crucial, and said that Fifeville and Starr Hill are less viable options. Responding to a question from Mr. Caravati about structured parking locations, Mr. Bunster-Ossa said that it is dependent on development density, and he cannot predict where that would be. Responding to a question from Mr. Caravati, Mr. Bunster-Ossa that there are now 83 parking spaces on West Main Street, and 43 or 44 would remain under the plan. Ms. Hamilton asked if there is a way to make an architectural gesture to the downtown mall without using brick, noting that brick is difficult for persons with mobility issues. Mr. Bunster-Ossa said that the brick on the mall has mortar between the bricks, and as it ages gaps are created. He said the new design has no mortar and is a very smooth surface. Mr. David Newman, University of Virginia Architect, asked where the utilities are in the proposed plan, and Mr. Ignacio-Bunster said under the brick sidewalk. Mr. Newman said that one advantage to using brick pavers is that it is easier to remove them to get to utilities.