2009-10-05 - Laserfiche WebLink

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9 REPORT : CITY’S 2010 LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM Mr. Richard Harris, Deputy City Attorney, reviewed the City’s proposed Legislative Program which includes the Equality Virginia resolution, environmental concerns, a change in the date of the election season, and restoration of voting rights for felons. He said no changes are recommended to the Retail Sales and Use Tax, as requested by the Commissioner of Revenue, and the packet supports the TJPDC and Virginia Municipal League Legislative programs. Mr. Harris said an additional recommended from the Planning Commission would give the City the authority to require developers to pay into a tree fund if trees are damaged. Mr. Huja asked what the point is of requiring energy audits if we cannot require anything, and Mr. Norris agreed, saying he thinks it should be left voluntary. Mr. Huja said he supports the tree fund. Dr. Brown suggested that we sit down with builders to discuss the proposed tree fund idea, and model the process that was done with affordable housing legislation. Mr. Norris said Council could approve the concept of the tree protection fund, and flesh out the language before submitting it to the General Assembly. Dr. Brown asked if the non-profit statement fixes a problem. He said he thinks the energy audit is a bigger step than we need to take. He suggested getting support from other localities regarding the election season change because he feels there is strength in numbers. He said he does not understand the issue regarding the retail sales tax and would prefer to remove it from the package and ask the liaison to watch for it. Mr. Norris suggested including the budget request made by Mr. Risberg. Mr. Norris reviewed what he had heard from Councilors about the City’s legislative program. Requests for Specific Legislation: keep item 1; swap item 2 with green code, remove the second bullet; keep item 3 (seek allies); keep item 4. Policy Positions: keep item 1, remove item 2; include funding request; remove tree fund (work on the text). On motion by Mr. Huja, seconded by Mr. Taliaferro, Council approved the City’s Legislative Program as outlined above by Mr. Norris by the following vote. Aye: Dr. Brown, Ms. Edwards, Mr. Huja, Mr. Norris, Mr. Taliaferro. Noes: None. ORDINANCE : REZONING SEVEN PARCELS LOCATED ON THE CORNER OF CHERRY AVENUE AND RIDGE STREET TO PUD (WILLIAM TAYLOR PLAZA) Mr. Ebony Walden, Planner in Neighborhood Development Services, said that a maximum of 50 units are proposed. She said the Planning Commission mainly discussed traffic issues. She said the proffers were redrafted after the first public hearing, and the Traffic Engineer believes the traffic issues have been mitigated. She said the Planning Commission suggested using the majority of funds for affordable housing, that the entire project be reviewed by the Board of Architectural Review, that pedestrian safety be addressed, and that there be no commercial use on Ridge Street. Mr. Norris asked the applicant to address the suggestions made by the Planning Commission. Mr. Charlie Armstrong, Southern Development, said the proffer gives Council the discretion to use the funds for affordable housing. He said the portion of the development on Cherry Avenue is not required to be reviewed by the BAR, but so far the plans as a whole have been submitted to the BAR. He said the proffer provides count- down timers for pedestrians. He said he would like to see a median there. He said he would not want to preclude small commercial use on Ridge Street. He said the plan has focused on the scale and appearance of the project from the street. Mr. Huja said he thinks it is a good project.