2008-09-15 - Laserfiche WebLink

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8 Responding to questions from Mr. Norris about the change in the price and traffic study, Mr. Engel said the City properties are assessed at $60,000, but an independent appraiser appraised the properties at $253,000, and a traffic study is included in the proposed sales agreement. The public hearing was opened. Ms. Colette Hall, 101 Robertson Lane, said she has talked to people from Fifeville and her impression is that they do not want the property sold. She said she hates seeing mature trees cut down. She said she is glad to hear that there will be a traffic study. She said we are short of police now. Mr. Raymond Mason, 717 Cynthianna Avenue, said the City owns two nice portions of land. He asked if any of the housing will be affordable, or could the property be used for a homeless shelter. As there were no further speakers, the public hearing was closed. Dr. Brown said the issue is not whether we can keep something from being built there, but that selling our property makes it a better project. He said he is disappointed that no one from Fifeville is here. Mr. Huja agreed with Dr. Brown about the choices we have. He said the proposal saves the most important area of the open space. He said there will be design review, and more trees will be saved than if the development is done by right. Mr. Taliaferro said he is also disappointed that no one from Fifeville is present. He said we are dealing with an issue where we have some, but not a lot of control. He said we will be better off to make it a better project. Ms. Edwards said she does not like either option. She said she is torn because no one from the neighborhood is here. She said she has heard a variety of opinions in the neighborhood. She said our land allows them to do a better project. She asked what is the worse case scenario for the by right development. Mr. Huja said 64 units and the ground would be leveled. Mr. Huja asked if notices were sent about the public hearing. Mr. Engel said notices were sent out to all adjacent property owners. Dr. Brown asked if another public hearing could be held prior to the second reading of the ordinance. Mr. Norris said he shares comments made by other Councilors. He said our participation will result in a better project. He said he likes to see homes and jobs in Charlottesville where people can walk. He noted that the City’s parcels are not developable. He said the proposal will minimize the loss of green space. He said he would support taking the sales price and putting it into the affordable housing fund for Fifeville. On motion by Dr. Brown, seconded by Mr. Huja, the ordinance entitled “AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CONVEYANCE OF LAND AT 521 RIDGE STREET AND 529 RIDGE STREET, AND A PORTION OF THE RIDGE STREET RIGHT OF WAY, TO CHERRY AVENUE INVESTMENTS, LLC FOR MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT” was offered and carried over to the next meeting for consideration. REPORT : SUMMER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM Ms. Heather Kellams, Summer Internship Program Supervisor, said that this summer’s program had 47 site supervisors. She said 80 applications were received, 66 youth were served, and 60 successfully completed the program. She said the interns worked 18 hours a week for six weeks.