2006-09-18 - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 Ms. Kay Slaughter, representing the Southern Environmental Law Center, said that the SELC has not taken a position on the Meadowcreek Parkway, but she expressed concern about the supersized design presented for the Route 250/Meadowcreek Parkway interchange. She said as proposed by the consultant it will overwhelm the parkway, consume land, alter the topography and will create inadequate bicycle and pedestrian pathways. She asked Council to redirect the consultants. Mr. Rich Collins, 108 Wilson Court, representing Sensitive Transportation Alternatives to the Meadowcreek Parkway (STAMP), agreed with Ms. Slaughter’s comments. He said it is unacceptable that the consultants are not listening to what the City wants. He said Council should look at using funding for the interchange to enhance the Park, and should tell the consultants that the City is going to design the interchange. Mr. John Pfaltz, 1503 Rugby Avenue, asked Council to look carefully at the recently released traffic study for the proposed Biscuit Run development in Albemarle County. He said there will be at least 30,000 more trips through the City every day. He said the recommendation in the study to widen City streets to accommodate this traffic does not make sense. Ms. Nancy Hurrelbrinck, 1020 St. Clair Avenue, representing Charlottesville Peak Oil, said that our current lifestyle cannot last much longer. She said our entire community needs to be prepared and she urged Council and the public to learn more about the issue. Mr. Alexis Zeigler, 912 Woodfolk Drive, representing Charlottesville Peak Oil, said he thinks the issue is coming up on us. He said biofuels are not a substitute for fossil fuels. Mr. Don Wells, 2411 Hillwood Place, representing Charlottesville Peak Oil, said there are problems with using coal and tar sands as substitutes for energy. He said they have environmental problems and are not viable long-term solutions. Ms. Logan Blanco, 1200 Jefferson Street, representing Charlottesville Peak Oil, said hydrogen is not an energy source, but is an energy carrier. She said wind power and solar power are not transportation tools and are not reliable. She said we need to strengthen conservation efforts in the region. Ms. Kimberly Moore, Director of the National College, thanked Council for the th proclamation, and invited Council and the public to their 120 anniversary celebration on th September 30. Mr. Peter Kleeman, 407 Hedge Street, said he makes most of his trips on foot, and he encouraged the City to look at the state of pedestrian ways in the City. He asked that the barrier blocking the sidewalk at the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court be removed. He said the brick walkways at Court Square are damaged and are a tripping hazard. COUNCIL RESPONSES TO MATTERS BY THE PUBLIC Dr. Brown said he shares the concern about the scale of the Meadowcreek Parkway interchange and would like to follow up on the issue. Mr. Norris agreed with comments made by Mr. Pfaltz about the Biscuit Run traffic study and said we should urge the County to build the Fontaine connector. Mr. Lynch said he agrees with both comments. He said we will be discussing sustainability issues at the end of the meeting, and he said he hopes being prepared for the Peak Oil issue will keep it from being a major issue. Mr. Taliaferro, in response to comments about the Biscuit Run traffic study, said it is time for the County to build some connector roads. He said if the Meadowcreek Parkway is built, it needs to be part of a whole network.