2007-07-16 - Laserfiche WebLink

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10 On motion by Ms. Hamilton, seconded by Mr. Lynch, the appeal of the BAR’s decision to deny the amended comprehensive signage plan for 501 E. Water Street (Melting Pot) was denied by the following vote. Ayes: Dr. Brown, Ms. Hamilton, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Norris, Mr. Taliaferro. Noes: None. ORDINANCE : CLOSING VALLEY ROAD Ms. Ebony Waldon, Planner in Neighborhood Development Services, explained that the University of Virginia has asked for the closure of 438 feet of Valley Road as requested by the City due to neighborhood concerns about the South Lawn project. She said she has received 14 letters in support of the closing, and the Planning Commission recommended the closing. She said the Planning Commission’s main concern was emergency access. She said the City’s Traffic Engineer recommended a signal to allow access by the Fire Department. Mr. Norris asked if that is a common arrangement, and Mr. Tolbert said it works well. Mr. Norris said that Steven Bach made a proposal asking for a 10 foot wide connector for bikes and pedestrians. Ms. Waldon said that U. Va. has proposed a 6 foot pedestrian path. Mr. Norris said he thinks Mr. Bach was proposing a separate bike path. Mr. Lynch said the emergency signal seems expensive. He said he thinks it would be easier if the fire trucks came down the sidewalk. Ms. Waldon said the sidewalk is 6 feet wide and emergency vehicles need 18 feet. Mr. Tolbert said there is also a grade separation and widening it would mean a major design change. Mr. Lynch asked about a median cut, and Mr. Tolbert said the grade would be too difficult. Dr. Brown said that other issues that were discussed at the Planning Commission meeting were the sidewalk and stormwater easements. Mr. Tolbert said the stormwater is a non issue. He said U. Va. has to go back to the Board of Visitors to ask for the pedestrian easement. Mr. Tolbert said he can ask U. Va. if it can be widened. Dr. Brown noted that U. Va. created the cul de sac at the City’s request, and said we should be careful that we do not put conditions on that cause additional expenses. He said he would favor asking about the bike path. Mr. Norris said he would like to publicly commend U. Va. for engaging the neighborhood. Dr. Brown thanked staff for working together on the emergency access issue. Mr. Lynch said if the pedestrian path can be widened enough for emergency vehicles that would be cheaper than a light. On motion by Mr. Taliaferro, seconded by Ms. Hamilton, the ordinance entitled “AN ORDINANCE CLOSING, VACATING, AND DISCONTINUING A PORTION OF VALLEY ROAD” was offered and carried over to the next meeting for consideration. PUBLIC