1995-01-17 - Laserfiche WebLink

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123 that the proposed resolution is narrowly focused, commenting only on the interchange at Hydraulic Road, Mr. Toscano stated that he feels this is a legitimate issue for the Council to focus on because the proposed interchange is in the City's jurisdiction. Furtherrnore, Mr. Toscano stated that the Council wants to maintain the relationship with and continue dialogue with Albemarle County on transportation issues. Mr. Toscano stated that he does not feel the Council can ignore taking action on the proposed interchange for the following reasons: 1) the City is landlocked, with little land left to develop; 2) over $1 million in tax revenues are generated in the immediate area surrounding the interchange; 3) the cost of $45 million for the entire project is excessive; and 4) the proposed interchange design is too massive for the size of the communitv. The resolution regarding the proposed grade separated interchange at U. S. Route 29 and Hydraulic Road was unanimously approved, with Rev. Edwards absent. WHEREAS, on January 10, 1995, tiffs City Council and the City Planning Commission held a joint pUblic hearing on the urban diamond interchange proposed by the Virginia Department of Transportation ("VDOT") for the intersection of U.S. Route 29 and Hydraulic Road; and, WHEREAS, in 1991 the City, the County of Albemarle and the University of Virginia issued a joint resolution that endorsed the concept of a grade separated interchange at the Hydraulic Road intersection as part of efforts to improve traffic flow in the Route 29 North corridor; and, WHEREAS, City Council deems it necessary to re-examine the appropriateness of a grade-separated interchange at this location because: (1) of the specific interchange design proposed by VDOT, (2) of new estimates of the proposed cost of the project, (3) of new data on the economic impact of the interchange on City businesses, and (4) of new information on the fiscal impact of the proposed project on City revenues; and, WHEREAS, City Council has considered the recommendations from the City's planning staff and the Planning Conunission, and reviewed the design, plans, and projections prepared by the consultant for VDOT; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Charlottesville that the Virginia Department of Transportation is hereby requested not to proceed with the design and construction of the proposed grade-separated interchange at the intersection of Hydraulic Road and U.S. Route 29, for the following reasons: 1. Construction of the proposed interchange would destroy four commercial buildings: and would have an adverse economic impact on a significant number of additional City businesses; 2. A significant percentage of the road improvements now being constructed on Route 29 would be eliminated by the construction of the interchange; 3. In terms of cost, aesthetics, environmental impact, and traffic movement, this grade-separated interchange is not in character with the size and nature of the community, and is inappropriate as a major entrance corridor into the City. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council believes that the City of Charlottesville, Albemarle, County, and the University of Virginia should continue to play the predominant rote in determining the type, nature, and sequencing of road improvements in the Route 29 corridor, and that Virginia Department of Transportation should continue to seek their input before any further decisions are made. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy- of this Resolution be transmitted to the Virginia Secretary of Trarisportation, the Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Transportation, the Charlgttesville-Albemarle Metropolitan Planning Organization, the County of Albemarle Boaird of Supervisors, and to the University of Virginia.