1996-04-01 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

59 Responding to a question from Ms. Slaughter about the Planning Commission recommendation to provide for areas of increased density/decreased parking, Dr. Harris said the issue has been studied more from the housing side than the parking side, but agreed that the parking issue should be pursued. Mr. Toscano said he would be interested in knowing the Planning Commission's thinking about the overlay district prior to the issue being studied. Mr. Toscano also raised the issue of how land use policies encourage or discourage demographic changes in the city. Dr. Harris said that questions exist about the appropriateness of zoning for a community the size of Charlottesville. ORDINANCE: REZONING 631 DICE STREET FROM R-3 TO B-3 Mr. Satyendra Huja, Director of Community Development, explained that the rezoning was deferred to allow staffto look at the possibility of rezoning the property to B-2, or to find other alternatives that would allow the existing business to expand without zoning the entire property, which might have future negative impacts on the neighborhood. Mr. Huja said that the business expansion would not be allowed in B-2 zone, but said that a portion of the property could be rezoned to B-3 to allow the expansion. Ms. Daugherty said she is concerned about rezoning the entire property since it would allow more heavy industrial usage, but she thinks that the proposal is a good compromise that would allow the business, which has been a good neighbor and employer, to expand. Rev. Edwards said he would be interested in Dr. Harris's opinion of the proposed compromise, and Dr. Harris sad that speaking only for himself, he said that piecemeal rezonings generally are not a good idea. Rev. Edwards said he would like the business to remain in the city. Responding to a question from Mr. Vandever, Mr. Gouldman said that he feels the compromise proposal would be legally defensible. Ms. Slaughter said that she feels the compromise is reasonable given the Land Use Plan. On motion by Ms. Slaughter, seconded by Rev. Edwards, the ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE AMENDING AND REENACTING THE DISTRICT MAP INCORPORATED IN SECTION 34-15 OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE, 1990, AS AMENDED, BY THE REZONING OF CERTAIN PROPERTY LOCATED AT 631 DICE STREET" was offered and carded over to the next meeting for consideration. STAFF REPORT: DOWNTOWN ACTIVITIES STATUS REPORT Mr. Leon Churchill, Assistant City Manager, gave Council an update on activities in the downtown area, noting that there has been approximately $9 million in construction in the past year. Activities include: amphitheater; suggestion for a design charette process for the City Market; plans for a shuttle service between downtown and U. Va.; mid-May opening of 2nd Street to traffic, after completion of exterior construction on the theater; late May, early June opening of the movie theater, and mid-April opening of the Ice Park. Mr. Churchill said that the Water Street parking garage is filling up ahead of schedule and parking issues will need to be addressed for the downtown area. Mr. Churchill noted that more evening and weekend hours are expected for downtown businesses. Ms. Slaughter asked if the Board of Architectural Review has reviewed the amphitheater band and shell, and asked if the view of the arch will be obstructed by the shell. Mr. Churchill replied that the BAR has approved the stage and shell design, and the arch will be visible with the exception of directly in front of the stage.