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295 <br /> <br />Ms. Smith said that the parking garage and demolition of the two houses are her major <br />concerns. Ms. Smith said that the garage should be underground. Ms. Smith asked <br />Council to think carefully about their vote and preserve of historic property. <br /> <br /> Mr. Kevin Donlevy, an Albemarle County resident and local historian, said that <br />the selection of the site could not be more singularly inappropriate. Mr. Donlevy said <br />that the townhouses next to the project will suffer from architectural intimidation. Mr. <br />Donlevy suggested that there are dozens of other skes in the City and County where the <br />hotel could be located. <br /> <br /> Mr. Tripp Pollard, Board member of the Preservation Alliance of Virginia, said <br />that Council is being asked to destroy part of the quality of life in Charlottesville by <br />destroying historic structures, and overshadowing and crowding the O'Keefe house on <br />Wertland with the garage. Mr. Pollard said that he strongly supports economic <br />development efforts, and thinks there are strong economic benefits to saving old <br />buildings. Mr. Pollard said he does not think alternatives have been looked at, and urged <br />Council to uphold the BAR's decision, to work with the applicant and send the matter <br />back to the BAR. <br /> <br /> Mr. Clarence McCtymonds, 701 Locust Avenue, read a statement from Martha <br />Ronan, a neighbor. Ms Ronan expressed concern that Council will give in to the first <br />proposal for development, and said that the historic structures need to be preserved. Ms. <br />Ronan said that if Council won't uphold the historic designation then the designation <br />should be removed. <br /> <br /> Mr. Jim Stultz, owner of nine properties on Wertland Avenue and property <br />bordering two sides of the proposed project, noted that he has just restored two historic <br />properties that will look into the project garage. Mr. Stultz said that he must trust that the <br />hotel will be a good neighbor and he thinks they have shown good faith by saving the <br />O'Keefe house and making changes to the original proposal. Mr. Stultz said that he <br />thinks the project is in the best interest of the City and he supports it. <br /> <br /> Mr. Robert Brugh, owner of property on Main Street, including an historic <br />building, spoke in favor of the project. Mr. Brugh said that Council has spent a lot of <br />time bringing about a development plan, and he thinks this project is within the scope of <br />what Council wants to have in the West Main Street area. Mr. Brugh said that Marriott is <br />well known in the country, and will house the increasing number of outpatients who are <br />treated at the U. Va. Hospital from out of town. Mr. Brugh said he hopes that the project <br />will get the unanimous support of Council. <br /> <br /> Ms. Kay Peaslee, 307-A 2~d Street, N.W., a taxpayer and interested citizen, said <br />she is very concerned about the project and the precedent it will set if built. Ms. Peaslee <br />said she is concerned about the model and the late date that it was brought in, and <br />whether it is accurate. Ms. Peaslee said that she agrees with Joan Fenton about the <br />importance of the process, and with Ashlin Smith about the importance of preserving <br />historic properties. Ms. Peaslee asked if the end justifies the means and requested that <br />the matter be deferred. <br /> <br /> Mr. John Matthews, 325 Stillfried Lane, representing the owners of property on <br />l0th and West Main Street, said that the project fits with the urban character of West <br />Main Street and is important to the vitality of the City. <br /> <br /> Mr. John Hill, 803 Cabell Avenue, a concerned citizen, opposed the project: Mr. <br />Hill said that it does not represent the kind of project he would like to see on West Main <br />Street. Mr. Hill said he thinks the developers have worked hard, but they do not known <br />anything about the City. Mr. Hill said he thinks that the 6-1 vote by the BAR is <br />significant. Mr. Hill said he thinks the project is too big, and while he originally thought <br />it would be taller, he still thinks the size is inappropriate. <br /> <br /> Mr. Gordon Johns said that he is involved in alumni affairs at U. Va., and helps to <br />coordinate fraternity alumni functions. Mr. Johns said that the lack of accommodations <br />has reduced participation in alumni affairs, and such a shortage equates to a loss of <br /> <br /> <br />