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39 <br /> <br />not to develop the lot, but asked Council to require the <br />developer, if one is selected, to study and maximize the <br />parking. <br /> <br /> Mr. Elliott Weiss, 1609 Concord Drive, President of the <br />Temple Beth Israel Board, stated that the Temple is <br />outgrowing its current building and urged Council to support <br />either of the proposals as the Temple intends to move its <br />religious school into the~new building if constructed. <br /> <br /> Mr. Tim Snider, a reSident of Queen Charlotte Square, <br />and a representative of the Queen Charlotte Square Board, <br />opposed development of the parking lot for the following <br />reasons: 1) the need for~parking will become more acute; 2) <br />open space will be lost; and 3) there is no provision for <br />residential space. Mr. Snider encouraged Council to consider <br />other alternatives for the site. <br /> <br /> Ms. Sue Lewis, Chair!of the Planning Commission, stated <br />that the Planning Commission's involvement in the proposed <br />development had been minimal and she felt the Commission <br />could have addressed many of the issues that have been <br />raised. <br /> <br /> Mr. Peter Sheras, 340 Cedar Bluff Road, trustee for the <br />Temple Beth Israel Board, strongly encouraged Council to <br />make a decision to develop the property in the near term as <br />he was concerned about the Board's ability to maintain its <br />fund raising efforts if the project is delayed. <br /> <br /> Mr. Henry C. martin, a resident of E. Jefferson Street, <br />encouraged Council to require residential units on the site <br />to prevent another deserted building after 5:00 p.m. <br /> <br /> Mr. Charles Lilly, a resident of Belmont, stated that he <br />is in favor of the proposed development and thought it would <br />be good for the City. <br /> <br /> Ms. Sharleen Martenas, 11 Altamont Circle, stated that <br />she opposed the R.E. Lee/Great Eastern Management proposal <br />because of the proposed parking behind the Circuit Court <br />which she felt would increase traffic in the neighborhood. <br />Ms. Martenas stated that She felt it was short-sited to <br />develop the site now. Ms. Martenas pointed out that no new <br />parking will be created, iMs. Martenas stated that she would <br />support the Wassenaar proposal because she preferred their <br />design and thought it would be good to bring the <br />Environmental Group downtown. Ms. Martenas recommended that <br />Council wait and consider !other alternatives. <br /> <br /> Ms. Katherine T. Griffin, 418 4th Street, N.E., urged <br />CounCil not to make a decision on the matter prematurely and <br />to consider residential un!its for the site. <br /> <br /> As there were no further speakers the public hearing was <br />closed. <br /> <br /> Responding to a quest~ion from Ms. Daugherty, Mr. Rotgin <br />stated that a total of 192 spaces will be provided, 114 <br />within the proposed building and the remainder behind the <br />Circuit Court. Mr. Rotgini added that if physically feasible, <br />another half deck of parking could be provided under the <br />building. <br /> <br /> Ms. Daugherty stated that she is generally supportive of <br />the idea of the project, does not think the existing surface <br />parking lot is attractive, and feels the project would be <br />beneficial to the City. Ms. Daugherty stated that she is <br />concerned about the traffic in the neighborhood and would <br />like staff to do an analysis of the increased traffic before <br />making a final decision. <br /> <br />Ms. Slaughter stated that she thought Council needed <br /> <br /> <br />