1999-09-07 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I96 Ms. Mdinda Bowman, 947 Locust Lane, presented a proposal signed by ali adjacent property, owners expressing thew willingness toprovide a footpath to the parkland. Ms. Bowman said she and her neighbors would rather see the land used as a park than developed. Ms. Susan Christmas, 1025 St Clair Avenue, said she opposes the land swap and agreed with comments made by the Potters-. Mr. Alex David opposed the proposed development and said the land is used everyday. Mr. David Hirschman, 1107 Calhoun Street, said Council should move forward cautiously to develop vacant land. Mr. t-hrschman said environmental criteria are important. Mr. Hkschman said that-Meadow Creek already has significant environmental problems and it wilt be very expensive to bring it back to life Dr. David Atler, Locust Avenue, said the property should, be developed for the enjoyment of many in Charlottesville. Dr. Aller said he opposes the land swap as presently constituted and feels parkland should be preserved. Dr. Aller said he feels the statement that the development will add $40,000 annually to the tax base needs to be scruthfized-because the cost of providing services will outweigh taxes received. Dr. Aller said that the social benefitsof such a development are a different issue. Dr. Atler suggested that the City explore whether it is appropriate to purchase the property_ adjacent to Riverview park outright. Ms. Nancy H urrelbrink, 1020 St. Clair Avenue, agreed with Brynn Potter and said it is important for children to have greenspace to play in. Ms. Hurrelbrink noted that the Riverview Park land has high voltage power lines overhead Ms. Jessica Nigro, 1107 Locust Avenue, said that a lot of people in the neighborhood walk in the evening and the increased traffic asa result of the development would make that difficult. Ms. Nigro said the land needs to be preserved. Ms. Ann Stowe, 1014 Locust Lane, said she has used the parcel for many_ years and the City needs natural areas. Mr. Neal Groper,, 1020 Locust Avenue, said he feds the additional space at Riverview park would be perfect for a city arboretum and feels the pl, oposal- is a great opportunity tomake a gorgeous swap. Mr. Gropen said he favors the exchange. Mr. Fred Bartow, Locust Meadows., said that lost parkland can never be recovered. Ms. MarieChapel, 1029 Hazel Street, reminded Council that thecitizens of Charlottesville are forward thinking and attuned to city life. Ms. Chapel said there are areas that are not parkland that can be developed. Mr. Greg Jackson, 6t3 Belmont Avenue, said that the City of Durham, North Carolina hasthrived since it expanded its river park. Mr. Jackson said Council needs to make more pro-active decisions and feels there are more appropriate areas to develop. Mr. Jackson, a member of the City's Parks Advisory Board, said the proposal did not go through the board and he feels it should. Mr, Jackson said the City should purchase the additional land at Riverview Park. Mr. Jackson said the Cityshould purchasethe land owned by Mr, Tatum and let him develop elsewhere. Abel, I02 t Sheridan Avenue, said he goes to the park and feels it would not be hard to make it accessible from Pen Park. Mr. Frank Stoner, 240 Chestnut Oak Lane, said that the three acres are almost impossible to find and noted that there will be a substantial buffer left between the trail and the development. Mr. Stoner said the neighborhood does not want and never wants