2007-03-05 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

8 November 2008. She said the decision needs to be made whether to buy printers for machines that are obsolete, or buy new machines. Responding to a question from Mr. Lynch, Ms. Iachetta said we currently have 60 machines. She noted that there would be a significant cost to print ballots and store them as required. Dr. Brown said a voting system with a paper ballot has a lot of appeal. He said he likes the idea of a paper trail without the worry of paper jamming. He said he would like to have it all costed out. REPORT : NEIGHBORHOOD HISTORIC DISTRICT DESIGNATIONS Mr. Jim Tolbert, Director of Neighborhood Development Services, explained that there are two types of historic districts: 1) National and State Register District which do not regulate unless tax credit is used for renovation. He said the City has five districts and individual designations of this type; and 2) local historic districts which require review by the Board of Architectural Review. He said we currently have eight local districts and individual property designations. He said a third district, a conservation district, is being worked on by the Board of Architectural Review. He said this district would be less stringent than local designation. Mr. Tolbert said that pursuing state and federal historic designation was a strategy since 1993 in the Comprehensive Plan. He said that Fifeville was recommended by the Department of Historic Resources in 1988. Preservation Piedmont recommended that the Fifeville neighborhood be surveyed in 2003. He said Fifeville was deemed a top priority by the BAR based on the potential for th development in the area. He said the 10 and Page neighborhood is next in line. The neighborhoods also to be considered in the future are Starr Hill, North Belmont, Martha Jefferson Hospital, Fry’s Spring, and Woolen Mills. Mr. Norris asked if a survey is done to determine neighborhood support when the BAR determines the priority list. Mr. Tolbert said no. He said a list of potential neighborhoods was sent to Council in 2004 with no priority order other than Rugby/Venable and Gildersleeve. He said the concern by the BAR with Fifeville was the possible pressure for demolition. Mr. Norris asked if other neighborhoods that want the designation more should be considered first. Mr. Tolbert said yes, but referred to the issue of development pressure in Fifeville. Dr. Brown asked if the BAR is working on guidelines for a conservation district. Ms. Mary Joy Scala, Planner in Neighborhood Development Services, said that a subcommittee of the BAR is making recommendations to the BAR. She said the issue will then go to the Planning Commission and Council. Dr. Brown said that one problem is that it is not clear exactly what the rules are going to be. He said if he owned property in Fifeville he would be concerned that the rules might be onerous. He said he is also worries him to have the possibility of buildings being torn down. He said he would like to make it harder to demolish and have regulations for new buildings. Mr. Norris asked that the concerned expressed by Ms. Carter regarding the application be addressed. Ms. Scala said the survey was completed last July and the nomination report is being completed by the consultant and will be posted on the City’s website. Ms. Scala said that the Virginia Department of Historic Resources has to hold a public hearing and th one is scheduled for April 26. She said it then goes to the State Review Board in June. She said it will be sent to Charlottesville for comment.