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5 Mr. Huja asked if this land could be used for community vegetable gardens, and Mr. Daly said no, and noted that it is all wooded anyway. The public hearing was opened. Ms. Colette Hall, 101 Robertson Lane, said that a group of citizens took the City and VDOT to court alleging that granting a permanent easement for the Meadow Creek Parkway was not constitutional, but the judge said it is alright to give a permanent easement to another governing body. She said granting an easement to a private organization may not be constitutional. Ms. Dede Smith, 2652 Jefferson Park Circle, wondered if the Thomas Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District could not hold the easement instead. As there were no further speakers, the public hearing was closed. Mr. Brown said there is no question that the City has the authority to grant this easement, and said it is contemplated in the enabling legislation. Mr. Daly said that the Nature Conservancy is the managing agent of funds for projects of this nature. On motion by Mr. Huja, seconded by Ms. Szakos, the ordinance entitled “AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CONVEYANCE OF CONSERVATION EASEMENTS ACROSS CITY-OWNED LANDS NEAR BRANDYWINE DRIVE AND THROUGH GREENBRIER PARK TO THE NATURE CONSERVANCY” was offered and carried over to the next meeting for consideration. Mr. Norris said he thinks this is one of the most exciting environmental initiatives to occur in Charlottesville. REPORT : AFFORDABLE HOUSING STRATEGY Ms. Melissa Celii, Grants Coordinator, said that the Affordable Housing Strategy outlines the current inventory and future goals for affordable housing. She said the report identifies three options for Council to consider: 1) Maintain the current number of supported affordable units; 2) Maintain the current ratio of supported affordable units to total housing units as the City’s housing stock grows (10%); or 3) Increase the ratio of supported affordable units to 15% of total housing units by 2025. She said the Committee recommends goal three. She said another alternative would be to continue the current City funding level and to increase the ratio to 15% using CDBG and HOME funds. Mr. Norris said his preference would be to have Council agree on a goal and approve the resolution, but defer the funding level discussion until the budget discussions. Mr. Huja said he would start with a ratio of 12%. Dr. Brown asked about the change from past years in defining affordable housing as supportive affordable housing. Ms. Celii it refers to a unit with a subsidy or other mechanism for a family making less than 80% of the area median income (AMI), not just low income. Ms. Szakos said it also looks at teachers, nurses, firefighters, etc. and their ability to afford housing here. Ms. Szakos said she supports the 15% goal, but is willing to start at 12%. Ms. Edwards said she supports the 15% goal and said housing is an area of infrastructure that we should invest in.