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45 <br /> <br />existing floor area in R-iA would be allowed to convert to a <br />two-family dwelling on the condition that~a separate entrance <br />to the second dwelling would not be permitted on the front of <br />the house. Mr. Huja stated that approximately 4,500 <br />properties would be affected by the proposed zoning changes. <br /> <br /> Mr. William Harris, Planning Commission member, <br />expressed concern with the R,1A designation.and disagreed <br />that the rationale for its creation, to protect single family <br />residences, was an.adequate rationale. Mr. Harris based his <br />objection to the R-lA designation on the following concerns: <br />the zoning is an exclusionary practice which would make it <br />more difficult for persons ~with low and moderate incomes to <br />afford housing) the assumption that rental~property is <br />undesirable; and conditions for single famity conversions <br />benefit the affluent because of size requirements. <br /> <br /> Ms. Betty Siegner, Planning Commission member, stated <br />that she disagreed with Mr. Harris because of the impact of <br />the University and felt the zoning designation would <br />stabilize prices in the neighborhoods. <br /> <br /> Mr. Harris stated that he felt the University was <br />exclusionary to its own students and did not feel that <br />Charlottesville was different in this regard because of the <br />presence of the University. <br /> <br /> Ms. Waters stated that she felt the zoning designation <br />would be a stabilizing force in the neighbOrhoods since <br />neighborhoods will continue to be attractive fOr stUdents. <br /> <br /> Mr. Harris recommended that the staff determine the <br />impact of the plan on the pOor-and~.the Planning Commission <br />and Council should make a decision based on ~this impact. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Ms. Slaughter about the <br />pUrpose of the proposed change, Mr. Huja listed the <br />following: prevent conversion from single family units; <br />no%~.'di.~6ourage home ownership; provide the opportunity for <br />single family areas throughout the-City; and provide <br />predictability for neighborhoods. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Mr~Blake~Caravati, a <br />member of the Planning Commission, about,.adverse impacts <br />which have been expressed regarding rental units, Mr. Huja <br />listed the following as expressed by members of the Belmont <br />Neighborhood Association: poor maintenance; noise~ and too <br />many cars. -~ - - ~ ~ <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano stated that he sympathized with-many of Mr. <br />Harris' comments and noted concern with the large vacant <br />areas which have been designated to become R-lA. <br /> <br /> Mr Huja stated that vacant land has been designated as <br />R-lA in areas where concern about traffic has been expressed <br />and otherwise vacant land has been left R-2, <br /> <br /> Ms. Sue Lewis, Planning Commission member, stated that <br />she felt single family ~enters ProVide stability and that the <br />R-lA designation-would allow smaller cheaper homes to be <br />built. <br /> <br /> Mr. Harris stated that he felt Single family detached <br />homes are exclusionary. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Mr. Gib Akin, Planning <br />Commission member, Mr. Vandever stated that he felt the <br />University continues to drive the housing market in several <br />neighborhoods and families ha~e been driven Out by the . <br />speculative market. Mr. Vandever continued that he felt it <br />was beneficial to maintain some neighborhoods as mostly-owner <br />occupied, noting that once the owner/renter ratio went below <br />50/50, it moved to mostly rental at a faster rate. <br /> <br /> <br />