2007-01-16 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

COUNCIL CHAMBER – January 16, 2007 Council met in regular session on this date with the following members present: Dr. Brown, Ms. Hamilton, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Norris, Mr. Taliaferro. ANNOUNCEMENTS Mr. Norris announced that the Environmental Sustainability Committee will have its kickoff meeting on Wednesday, and he invited the public to attend. Mr. Lynch said he would like to discuss development of renewable energy sources, including wind power, during other business. Mr. Taliaferro said he would like to discuss gas rates during other business. Dr. Brown announced that the City was voted as the Best Place to Work in Charlottesville by the Daily Progress. PUBLIC Ms. Jeanne Chase, 223 Old Lynchburg Road, presented a petition signed by 95% of Old Lynchburg Road residents and others requesting that Old Lynchburg Road be closed at Azalea Park. She said the heavy volume and speed of the traffic has been documented, and the added traffic from Biscuit Run will add to the problem. She said the residents also want the comprehensive drainage and sidewalk plan implemented. Mr. John Hall, 3027 Colonial Drive, presented a conceptual plan of an American Rescue Shelter, a bomb shelter, which could also be used as a shelter for the homeless and a night school. Mr. Brooks Pate, 2401 Jefferson Park Avenue, supported the closure of Old Lynchburg Road. He said the goal of the petition is to protect the neighborhood. He said there is excessive traffic from student housing in the County. He asked that the Area B Plan be adopted and Old Lynchburg Road be closed to provide leverage for the City to get other roads built. Mr. John Santoski, 2421 Sunset Road, President of the Fry’s Spring Neighborhood Association, said it is inexcusable to have had development without planning. He said the proposed new development will bring hundreds if not thousands of new cars through the neighborhood. He said it is time for the City to take a firm and proactive stand with Albemarle County and support the 120 people who signed the petition. He asked members of the Fry’s Spring neighborhood to stand in support and many stood. Mr. Peter Hedlund, 204 Todd Avenue, Vice President of the Fry’s Spring Neighborhood Association, made a distinction between traffic and drainage concerns. He said nothing should delay the promises to solve the drainage problems. Ms. Peggy King, 2607 Jefferson Park Circle, spoke on behalf of her husband, James F. King, Jr. She said there is a sidewalk in the Fry’s Spring neighborhood that does not meet City standards but was approved by Council and the City Manager with assurances that the roads in the neighborhood would be excluded as major access points. She asked that Old Lynchburg Road be closed and that VDOT be asked to reduce the size of the Jefferson Park Avenue bridge. She asked that the City work to persuade the County to build roads to accommodate County development. She also supported drainage, sewer and sidewalk improvements. Mr. Jack Gwynn, 2503 Brunswick Road, thanked Council for closing Sunset Avenue several years ago. He said politicians should strive to meet the needs of their citizens. He said people have ended up living next to a dangerous highway.