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5 CHARLOTTESVILLE, 1990, AS AMENDED, RELATED TO A DDITIONAL USES IN THE M-I (INDUSTRIAL ZONING DISTRICT) (carried over) ORDINANCE i. : “AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 2-240 OF ARTICLE VI OF CHAPTER 2 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE, 1990, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO COMPENSATION FOR PLANNING COMMISSIONERS” (carried over) RESOLUTION : SPECIAL PERMIT FOR INCREASED HEIGHT, DENSITY AND REDUCED SETBACKS AT 1707 JEFFERSON PARK AVENUE Ms. Ebony Walden, Planner in Neighborhood Development Services, said that the request is to building a four story, 12 unit apartment building on a vacant lot. She said the Special Permit is being sought for increased height, density, and reduced setbacks as well as a waiver of off-street parking requirements. Ms. Walden said that the residents feel that the proposal is out of scale with the neighborhood. She said the Planning Commission recommended approval of the Special Permit. Mr. Norris asked why this area was not included in the University high density zone, and Ms. Walden said the neighborhood opposed its inclusion. Mr. Norris said he is concerned that approval of this permit would create a precedent for future development. Mr. Norris expressed concern about where the tenants would park. Ms. Walden said that there would be 30 bedrooms and the assumption of 30 people. She said 13 parking spaces are provided, and she believes the units that will not have parking will have reduced rents. Ms. Hamilton asked if there is a sense about how the parking has worked out in other University high density areas. Ms. Walden said she is not aware of any complaints received about parking in those areas. Mr. Jim Tolbert, Director of Neighborhood Development Services, said that the reduced number of parking was done in concert with the University providing parking elsewhere for students. Mr. Tolbert said he is not aware of any complaints about parking. He noted that permit parking exists on all of these streets. Responding to a question from Mr. Taliaferro, Ms. Walden said that the proposed setback is 17 ½ feet, with the stairs having a setback of 10 feet. Mr. Lynch said he has no problem with the height, but he does have a problem with the setback. He said he rarely disagrees with the Planning Commission, but there is a boulevard feel on Jefferson Park Avenue and he thinks the setback should be at least 25 feet. He said the density would probably have to be reduced if the setback is increased. He said the lack of parking is also an issue. Mr. Norris said he disagrees with Mr. Lynch about the setback, and likes how it sits close to the street and protects the steep site. He said he does have concern about the density. Ms. Hamilton said she thinks the proposed building is handsome. Dr. Brown agreed with Mr. Lynch but thinks we need to respect the Planning Commission decision. He said it is a difficult balance to protect and keep a neighborhood with a lot of vibrancy with the desire for higher density near the University. He said it is a conceptually difficult issue. He agreed with Mr. Norris about protecting the slope and having the building close to the street. He said he is attracted to the model of not having cars, and he said this model encourages people not to use their cars.