2008-04-21 - Laserfiche WebLink

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10 Ms. Linda Goldstein, 712 Nelson Drive said that traffic through the neighborhood is dangerous. Ms. Betty Mooney, 201 Sunset Avenue, said she is a former member of the Planning Commission, and three roads were talked about then and the Parkway was never supposed to be the only road. She said there are no plans for an eastern connector and no Rt. 29 bypass. She begged Council not to vote until they get an agreement on the eastern connector. Mr. Will Grimm, 111 Perry Drive, urged Council to be critical of the plan, including pedestrian safety, environmental impacts and the impact on the neighborhood. He said he hopes there is an emergency response plan. He said the ramp distance on and off Park Street should be looked at. Ms. Diane Wilson, 236 Wine Street, said she agrees with many of the speakers, and said it is an important issue to the neighborhood. Mr. Chuck Rotgin, an Albemarle County resident and business owner in the City, said he was a substantive investor in downtown in the 1970s, and parking and access are essential. He said the Parkway is the Chamber of Commerce’s number one priority and he supports the proposed alternative. He said there will be significant competition in the County, and Council should accept the recommendation in order for the downtown mall to flourish. nd Mr. Bill Lucy, 410 2 Street, N.E. said the light at Melbourne Road will regulate traffic and two lanes will self regulate traffic. Ms. Arianna Williams, 703 Lyons Avenue, asked about the impact of the road on future generations. She said she hopes Council will take more time and not make a decision tonight. As there were no further speakers the public hearing was closed. Responding to a question from Dr. Brown about bike safety with the C-1 alternative, Ms. Tucker said that there are both 5 foot wide in-street bikes lanes and a shared 10 foot wide bicycle/pedestrian path. Mr. Peery said advanced riders can ride in traffic and exit onto the path. Responding questions from Dr. Brown, Mr. Peery said the height of the bridge depends on its length and span, but it will be in the 30’ range. He said closing of the west ramps on Park Street was brought up by one member of the consulting parties. He said there was concern about cut-through traffic if the ramps are closed and the alternative shows it remaining open. Dr. Brown said comments have been made that C-1 keeps traffic moving, and an at-grade intersection would keep Rt. 250 moving, but not necessarily on the Parkway. Ms. Tucker said both a signalized interchange and roundabout keep traffic moving. Dr. Brown said that at the last Council discussion he asked for a rendering showing what the bridge, road and grading look like from the ground level. He asked where the Schenk’s Branch trail will cross the street. Mr. Peery said it will cross the street at Harris Street. Mr. Huja said he thinks it would behoove us to have a work session to discuss this further. He said he supports the Parkways, but does not have much support for the large interchange. He said he would like to explore ways to find a design more fitting to the