1997-04-21 - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 A caller asked why there continues to be a debate about housing when subsidized housing in the City has contributed to problems. Ms. Slaughter said that the City has created more subsidized housing than Albemarle County in the past, but is now trying to took at keeping a diversity of housing. A caller asked for an explanation of the difference between racism and Council focusing on needs based on the population. Ms. Slaughter said that concentrations of Iow income persons in some cities have resulted in ghettos, and said that the City wants to maintain a diverse population in the City and region. The Council has talked to Albemarle County about adding affordable housing in the County to let people have choices about where they live. Ms. Richards noted that the City does not always control subsidizes for housing as some are portable between localities. Ms. Richards added that the City is working with the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission to help other jurisdictions provide more housing opportunities. A caller asked why the Council is rushing into reversion. Ms. Slaughter replied that the Council is not rushing into a decision about reversion, and is in the process of gathering information and hearing from the public. Mr. Michael Webber, 1855 Westview Road, said that litigation is pending regarding the Ivy Landfill and the decision by the Rivanna Solid Waste Authority to continue to use the facility for construction debris and a transfer station. Mr. Webber said he feels the Council is being manipulated by the Rivmma Solid Waste Authority. Mr. Kevin Lynch, 609 Locust Avenue, expressed concern that neighborhoods have submitted requests for traffic calming measures but no plans have been made by the City to address these requests. Ms. Darcy Phillips, a member of the Belmont Neighborhood Association Executive Committee, thanked Council for their consideration of traffic calming measures, but expressed concern that her neighborhood has not heard back from City officials after submitting a request in August. Mr. Leon Churchill, responding to the request for City involvement in a skateboard/ roller blading park, summarized the history of the issue. Serious interest was expressed by the private sector, Vertical Pursuits, and staff worked on the feasibility of such a project. Mr. Churchill said that while staff is committed to the project, they are trying to avoid expanding services without revenues available: Mr. Churchill said that an impasse had been reached on financial matters as Vertical Pursuits is lacking the necessary capital and Councilors have reconfirmed that they do not want to fund the facility other than providing land. 1Mr. Churchill said that staff will continue to look at alternatives. Ms. Daugherty said that Councilors have been trying to work on bringing a skateboarding facility to the area, and she appreciates the support shown by Cky youth. Ms. Richards said she hopes the signatures on the petition will encourage private individuals to come fom, ard. Mr. Cox said he feels that the City has an obligation to find a solution to bring a skateboarding facility to the area. Ms. Slaughter said a skateboarding facility needs to be a public/private cooperative effort, with Albemarle County involved as well. Mr. Waldo Jaquith, 609 E. Market Street, thanked Mr. Cox for his support of youth in opposing the curfew ordinance.