2005-07-18 - Laserfiche WebLink

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WHEREAS, the City's Comprehensive Plan designation for the parcel is "University Precinct"; and WHEREAS, upon a review of the criteria generally applicable to special use permits under Chapter 34 of the City Code, this Council finds and determines that the proposed density is appropriate; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED by the Charlottesville City Council that a special use permit is hereby granted to allow additional residential density up to 54 DUA, not to exceed 36 dwelling units, total, for the property located at 129 l0th Street, N.W. (City Tax Map 10, Parcel 39). REPORT: CENSUS CHALLENGE Mr. O'Connell said that mid-term census estimates show that the City has lost 10% of its population since the census in 2000, but City staff do not agree with this finding. He said this could have financial implications. He noted that the appeal process is very burdensome. He asked for Council's direction. Mr. Jim Tolbert, Director of Neighborhood Services, said that the estimates released in March were shocking in that it showed a loss of 3,500 residents from the 40,099 census taken in 2000. He noted that the census in 2000 was adjusted to the 40,009 figure after errors were pointed out. He said that research showed that the same things happened mid-term previously. He said that best that staff can tell is that out migration of tax returns are used. He said staff disputes these findings because during this time period 773 housing units were constructed and there was an increase of 14,068 in University of Virginia students, most of whom live off grounds in the City and County. He said vehicle registrations are also up during this time period. He said the challenge process can be quite onerous. He said staff thinks it should be done because they think it has financial implications. He said the cost to challenge the figures will be in the form of an intern who will be conducting research. He said the cost to the community if we do not appeal is not known. He said another impact is that it could hurt our economic development efforts. He said he does not know the success rate of challenges. He said he would like permission to submit an informal challenge. Mr. Caravati asked if these concerns have been shared with the Weldon Cooper Center who provided the mid-term figures, and Mr. Tolbert said yes. Mr. Caravati said another important reason to have good numbers is because of poverty levels. He said he will support a challenge. Mr. Lynch said that some funding formulas are population based, and he said these should be identified. Mr. Lynch said the only logical way the population could be less is if household sizes are shrinking. Mr. Schilling asked what happens if we find that the mid-term numbers are actually lower than those provided, are we bound by that? Mr. Tolbert said he does not think so. Mr. O'Connell said that the methodology used seems to be flawed. Mr. Lynch asked if this problem is specific to college towns, and Mr. Tolbert said that is being checked on. Ms. Hamilton said she has seen tremendous variation in numbers used by the Weldon Cooper Center and others such as the Virginia Employment Commission. Mr. Caravati said it would be a great help to get access to the University's housing data base.