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12 <br />RESOLUTION <br />: DIRECTING PLANNING COMMISSION TO INITIATE ZONING <br />TEXT AMENDMENT RE: DEVELOPMENT REVIEW PROCESS <br /> <br /> Mr. Jim Tolbert, Director of Neighborhood Development Services, explained that <br />the proposed resolution will give the Planning Commission 100 days to act. He said the <br />Planning Commission will be asked to look at streamlining the review process and <br />providing incentives for affordable housing as was promised developers in exchange for <br />their support of State legislation. He said it is suggested that only those site plans <br />associated with special use permits or rezonings go to the Planning Commission, and that <br />entrance corridor review be assigned to staff. <br /> <br /> Mr. Huja noted that staff used to do everything that is recommended. He said the <br />Planning Commission gets tied up with minor issues. He said they are important <br />improvements. He said there ought to be an appeals process. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown said it would be nice to have some oversight of staff. He said he is not <br />sure he agrees that a citizen should be able to appeal, but thinks there should be a <br />mechanism to send a site plan to the Planning Commission. <br /> <br /> On motion by Dr. Brown, seconded by Mr. Huja, the Resolution Directing the <br />Planning Commission to Initiate Zoning Text Amendments re: the Development Review <br />Process was approved by the following vote. Ayes: Dr. Brown, Ms. Edwards, Mr. Huja, <br />Mr. Norris, Mr. Taliaferro. Noes: None. <br /> <br />WHEREAS <br /> , the City Council of the City of Charlottesville believes that <br />improvements can be made to the development review process in order to improve the <br />function of the Planning Commission; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS <br /> , this Council finds and determines that the public necessity, <br />convenience, general welfare or good zoning practice requires the study of certain <br />amendments to Chapter 34 (Zoning) of the Charlottesville City Code, 1990, as amended; <br />now, therefore <br /> <br />BE IT RESOLVED <br /> by the City Council of the City of Charlottesville that the <br />Planning Commission is hereby directed to initiate a study of proposed amendments to <br />Chapter 34 (Zoning) of the Charlottesville City Code, 1990, as amended, to provide for <br />an improved development review process and allow the Planning Commission to focus <br />on other priorities; and <br /> <br />BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED <br /> that the Planning Commission will submit its <br />findings and recommendations to the City Council no later than January 14, 2009. <br /> <br />ORDINANCE <br />: WATER CONSERVATION ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS <br /> <br /> Ms. Lauren Hildebrand, Director of Utilities, said that staff has been working with <br />the EPA and Albemarle County preparing presentations to businesses and neighborhood <br />groups regarding water conservation. She highlighted proposed amendments as follows: <br />allowing water with a hand held hose, allowing watering of established plants, times that <br />plants may be watered, regulations for car wash businesses, and regulations for refilling <br />pools. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown asked if it is fair to say that most of the amendments are less <br />restrictive. <br /> <br /> Ms. Hildebrand said that that some are less and some more, and others clarify the <br />existing regulations. <br /> <br /> Ms. Judy Mueller, Director of Public Works, said there was a conflict between <br />requiring plantings in new development and not allowing them to be watered so staff <br />tried to find a compromise. <br /> <br /> <br />