2007-12-17 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

2 Ms. Colette Hall, 101 Robertson Lane, said that despite Council’s efforts to make the City a green city, locating a building in a park as proposed for the YMCA runs counter to those efforts. Mr. Bill Murray, representing Dominion Power, said that Dominion Power supports conservation and renewable energy, but expressed concern that the call for a moratorium in the proposed clean energy resolution will compromise the ability of Dominion Power to meet the needs of its customers. He asked Council to delay action on that section of the resolution until Council can be briefed on the complex issues. Mr. Kevin Cox, 311 Fairway Avenue, referred to two recent accidents involving people in wheelchairs where they were issued tickets but the drivers of the vehicles were not. He said there is confusion at crosswalks, and some have buttons and others do not. He said he has never been ticketed when he does not obey pedestrian traffic laws. He asked why the drivers in the two accidents were not ticketed, and who made the decision not to issue them tickets. Mr. John Peterson, 624 North Avenue, said he was happy to see neighborhood protection included in the City’s Comprehensive Plan. He expressed concern about the plan to sell 6.1 acres of green space in his neighborhood for 19 home sites. He said the proposal is not in line with the Comprehensive Plan. He said the tree canopy will be lost and the critical slope ordinance should apply. He said the developer should adhere to the current Code. Mr. Larry Claytor, President of the Charlottesville-Albemarle Rescue Squad (CARS), said he feels CARS volunteers are doing a fantastic job. He said the City is trying to solve a problem that does not exist, and he does not agree with the EMS Committee report or the statistics. He said all avenues have not been looked at. He said the report shows no problem with response times. Ms. Jennifer Connor, 1116 Little High Street, a teacher at the Living Education Center, said that her students were horrified to hear about the injustice of the recent wheelchair accident. She asked Council to keep the needs of people who walk in mind. She asked people in the audience to stand in support and several stood. Ms. Beth Elliott, 1640 Rio Hill Drive, said she is a strong supporter of the YMCA and pedestrian safety. She said that affordable housing affects low and moderate income people. She urged Council to fund housing and supportive services for the mentally ill. Ms. Van thi Nguyen, 1116 Little High Street, thanked Mr. Norris for drawing up the clean energy resolution and including the moratorium language. She encouraged Council to resist pressure from Dominion Power. Mr. Peter Kleeman, 407 Hedge Street, said that the City’s efforts to be a pedestrian oriented city are included in the Comprehensive Plan. He said that crosswalks th at Market and 4 Street are often not available and it presents a serious hazard. He said crosswalks should be clearly marked. Mr. Gerry Mitchell, 100 Ridge Street, said that he was in the one in the wheelchair that was hit by the Albemarle County police officer. He said he feels the main concern of the police at the time was avoiding liability. He said the same thing can happen to anyone. He said he is not against the police, but in this case he said he was treated horribly. He asked people to stand in support of his comments and several stood. Mr. Mark Kavit, 400 Altamont Street, said that the intersection where Mr. Mitchell was hit is used a lot by people in wheelchairs. He asked who made the decision to ticket him and why. He said he thought it was the responsibility of motorists to watch out for pedestrians. Ms. Barbara Cruickshank, 700 Spring Lake Drive, Earlysville, asked that Council pass the energy resolution. She said children are especially at risk with coal fired and nuclear plants.