2007-02-05 - Laserfiche WebLink

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5 The public hearing was opened. Ms. Naomi Roberts, 1140 St. Clair Avenue Extended, spoke against one waying Calhoun Street. She said it will be a hardship on those who live on St. Clair and will throw people onto Smith Street and River Road. She said three and four-way stop signs and speed humps should be installed instead. Mr. Andrew King, 1036 St. Clair Avenue, spoke against one waying Calhoun Street. He said only 27% of the traffic is cut through traffic and there are only 12 or so houses on Calhoun. He said he handed out 500 fliers and received 40 responses in opposition to one waying. He questioned the motive for those advocating for this change. Mr. Jim Hunter-Chang, 1612 Rickie Road, Co-President of the Meadows Neighborhood Association, said that Albemarle Place will include a large amount of residential and retail space and will generate a lot of traffic. He said the main entrance will be across from the Meadows neighborhood. Mr. Chang said that unless something is done the Meadows will not be a neighborhood anymore. Ms. Brynne Potter, 1208 Bland Circle, President of the Locust Grove Neighborhood Association, said she inherited this initiative from the former president. She said that following a brainstorming meeting the City felt that one waying Calhoun Street was the best idea and studied it. She said she feels confident about the support and requested that Council take action. Ms. Carla Manno, 324 7 ½ Street, S.W., said that this has been a two year process. She said there is no sign at Walker Square restricting turns which was a condition of their approval. She said making 7 ½ Street southbound would require a traffic signal. Mr. Carl Matthews, 1614 Inglewood Drive, Albemarle County, said the County opposition has been few because it was a temporary diverter. He said there has never been a traffic count, only anecdotal data. He said the County residents are being inconvenienced by the diverter and it is ugly. He suggested making Cedar Hill one way if something needs to be done. Mr. Jeff Monroe, 1608 Inglewood Drive, Albemarle County, President of the Hessian Hills Neighborhood Association, said he is not as concerned as Mr. Chang is because he feels the County will do right by us. He said he thinks a 15 story building in Albemarle Place can be prevented. Mr. Myk Reed, 1105 Calhoun Street, spoke in favor of one waying Calhoun. He said the traffic is almost disastrous daily. He also spoke in favor of sidewalks on Calhoun. Ms. Aila Juvenen, 1029 St. Clair Avenue, said she walks on Calhoun and there is not much room and no sidewalks. She said she would love to see Calhoun made one way. Ms. Laura Kollar, 1029 St. Clair Avenue, thanked the City for its thoughtful, creative work. She supported the solution of one waying Calhoun. Ms. Nancy Mehlich, 1211 Belleview Avenue, said she is very affected by one waying Calhoun. She said the neighborhood has mixed ages, and Council should respect the people who have worked on the process. Mr. W. C. Gentry, 2186 Davis Shop Road, Earlysville, said he owns two properties on North Berkshire. He referred to the August 3, 2005 resolution by the County and a VDOT letter from 2005, and took exception with comments made by Mr. Tolbert. He said Mr. Chang’s comments refer to future possibilities, and the City is trying to solve a problem that does not exist. He said no surveys were done of the traffic. He said there are problems with school bus access and emergency vehicles because of the