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parking. Ms. Mueller stated that buses are presently <br />housed at the Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority and bus <br />drivers are shuttled to the buses. Ms. Mueller stated <br />that the first choice for an appropriate site had been the <br />property on Avon Street Extended. Since taking out an <br />option on the property, staff had worked with the Schools <br />and the Belmont Neighborhood Association and had had a <br />site plan approved by Albemarle County. Ms. Mueller <br />stated that plans at this time only included locating the <br />buses and some materials on the property, but there was <br />the potential to locate other functions on the property in <br />the future, though it was not economically feasible to do <br />so at this time. Ms. Mueller stated that extensive <br />landscaping and screening was proposed for the property <br />and, in response to concerns of the Belmont Neighborhood, <br />sidewalk improvements to Avon Street and signal <br />improvements at the intersection of Avon Street and <br />Elliott Avenue were being recommended before site <br />construction. Ms. Mueller requested that Council give <br />approval to exercise the option on the property. <br /> <br />The public hearing was opened. <br /> <br /> Mr. John Pezzoli, Vice-Chairman of the School Board, <br />stated that the Board was in support of the placement of <br />the school buses at the Avon Street Extended location. <br />Mr. Pezzoli noted that the School Board had been pleased <br />with the the bus service provided by the City since the <br />transfer of operation. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lawrence Burruss, President of the Belmont <br />Neighborhood Association and a member of the School Board, <br />stated that a decision had been made by the Belmont <br />Neighborhood Association to support the location of the <br />buses at the Avon Street Extended property on the basis of <br />community need. Mr. Burruss stated that the noise level <br />had been discussed, but was found acceptable due to the <br />hours of operation of the buses° Mr. Burruss stated that <br />it was felt by the neighborhood that the City would be a <br />better neighbor than other possible users of the property. <br />Mr. Burruss stated that the most critical problem was the <br />need for a sidewalk and signal improvements, as had been <br />indicated by Ms. Mueller, especially given the expected <br />10% increase in traffic volume. Mr. Burruss stated that <br />he felt community acceptance would also depend on the <br />screening and landscaping done around the property. <br /> <br /> Mr. Derek Vanderlinde of Palatine Avenue, stated that <br />he was opposed to using the property on Avon Street <br />Extended to house the school buses as he felt the streets <br />cannot handle the present traffic, there is no access to <br />arterial roads from the site, the safety of blind <br />pedestrians would be endangered, on-street parking on <br />Avon Street would be removed, and the neighborhood would <br />get pollution from the diesel buses. Mr. Vanderline also <br />questioned what the five to ten year plans for the <br />property were. Mr. Vanderlinde stated that he felt <br />property located on 5th Street Extended would have been a <br />better location. Mr. Vanderlinde also questioned what <br />materials would be stored in addition to the buses. <br /> <br /> As there were no other speakers, the public hearing <br />was closed. <br /> <br /> Ms. Mueller stated that there were no plans to <br />further develop the property at this time. Ms. Mueller <br />stated that a leaf collector would be stored at the <br />property when not in use and that no hazardous chemicals <br />would be stored there, noting that these concerns had been <br />dealt with during the County's site plan review. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question by Mr. Towe regarding the <br />cost of the property, Mr. Wiley stated that the contract <br /> <br /> <br />