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37 <br /> <br /> COUNCIL CHAMBER - September 6, 1994 <br /> <br /> Council met in regular session on this date with the following members present: <br />Daugherty, Mr. Toscano, Mr. Vandever. Absent: Rev. Edwards and Ms. Slaughter. <br /> <br />PUBLIC <br /> <br />Ms. <br /> <br /> Mr. Arthur Tinsley, 319-A Riverside Avenue asked what steps have been taken to <br />address the bad odor in his neighborhood; stated that he opposed allowing vehicles to cross <br />the mall, or at least advocated waiting beyond November to open the street to see if the <br />proposed new businesses really need it to be open; and asked Council to ensure that <br />minorities will be adequately represented in new government positions. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano stated that a decision has not been made about when to open the <br />vehicular crossing; asked that staff provide Mr. Tinsley with a status report on the odor; and <br />stressed that affi~native action is a goal of City Council. <br /> <br /> Mr. Brett Nelson, 214 South Street, stated that the group known as "Citizens for an <br />Open Mall" has formed a political action group known as "Town Watch" because the group <br />feels that the City has not been listening to its citizens, citing the mall crossing issue and the <br />public housing issue on Ridge Street as examples. Mr. Nelson announced the group's voice <br />mail number as 961-9155. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano stated that he is willing at any time to meet with citizens to discuss <br />issues of concern. <br /> <br /> Mr. Kevin Lynch, 609 Locust Avenue, a member of"Town Watch," stated that he <br />understands that the movie theater developer's option on the property has expired and asked <br />why Council approved the mall crossing in light of this information and what is the City's plan <br />if the movie theater is not developed. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano stated that the City has no control over the movie theater development <br />and while the Council voted to require the developer to pay one-half of the cost of the <br />vehicular crossing, the opening itself is not tied to the development. <br /> <br /> Mr. Vandever noted that at least two Councilors felt that the vehicular crossing is <br />justified regardless of the proposed development. <br /> <br /> Mr. Larry Engle, Central Virginia Coin and Jewelry Exchange, and a member of <br />"Town Watch," stated that he understood that the City is selling the High Street parking lot <br />to McGuire, Woods to be developed by Mr. Danielson. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano stated that no decision has been made to sell the High Street parking lot <br />and Mr. Danielson has no involvement in the issue. <br /> <br /> Mr. Engle questioned what process would be used in selling the parking lot across <br />from the Omni and whether there would be public input. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano stated that the parking lot in question is owned by the Charlottesville <br />Redevelopment and Housing Authority and has been proposed to be developed as a skating <br />rink by Mr. Danielson. Mr. Toscano stated that the proposed use is consistent with the <br />current land use for the property, but all required planning processes would be followed for <br />its development. Mr. Toscano noted that while he believes a number of Councilors think that <br />the proposed skating rink is a good idea, to his knowledge there would be no formal action <br />taken by Council. <br /> <br /> Mr. Vandever noted that a private developer previously had an option to build on the <br />parking lot but the development did not go through. <br /> <br /> Ms. Daugherty stressed that the development of a recreational facility on the site is in <br />keeping with the Comprehensive Plan and the Council's desire for downtown development. <br /> <br /> <br />