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198 <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Ms. Richards about environmental issues, Mr. <br />Tatum said he has not gotten to the stage and it would be addressed as part of the site <br />plan process. Mr. Tatum said he may build infiltration trenches to keep water on the site. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox asked if Mr. Tatum thinks that the City should make parkland available <br />for development. <br /> <br /> Mr. Tatum said he thinks of this proposal as an opportunity to gain parkland and <br />meet the need for new housing. Mr. Tatum said he thinks the larger issue of develOping <br />parkland-should be left for Council to decide. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Ms. Daugherty, Mr. Tatum said the parkland that <br />would be acquired adjacent to Riverview Park is in the floodplain. Mr. Tatum said he <br />thinks it would be desirable to have this property under City control-as the City would <br />gain 1200 feet of river edge. Mr. Tatum said the City now has a 15 foot wide easement <br />through this property. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said he thinks it is curious that parktandis zones R-1 and fee!sthis <br />should be corrected. <br /> <br /> Mr. Huja said that all property was designated with some zoning when the zoning <br />map was originally adopted in I958 and R-1 was the lowest category at that time. Mr. <br />Huja said a new zoning designation could be created for parks. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano suggested that the Planning Commission look at this issue in the <br />upcoming Comprehensive Plan review. <br /> <br />Ms. Richards said she agrees that the zoning for parks needs to be revised, <br />Responding to questions, Mr. Tatum said that VDOT uses anaverage of 7 trips <br />per day per house for new traffic generated by a development. Mr. Tatum said he does <br />not think that this development will change the traffic rating on Locust Avenue. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards said that the responsibility falls onCouncil a~nd staff that there was <br />no public process prior to this time, and added that she did not hear such a suggestion by <br />Councilors during deliberations with the developer. Ms, Richards said that at the time the <br />issue was being deliberated, the property in question seemed to be remote. Ms, Richards <br />said she does not place the responsibility for a public process on Mr. Tatunfs shoulders. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said that when Mr. Tatum first brought the issue to Council a PUD was <br />discussed, but the developer did not want to pursue this. Mr. Cox said he continues to <br />believe that a public participatory process would have gotten supporters for the project. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards said she is personally concerned about the issue of stewardship of <br />the land. Ms. Richards said there is value to infitt development and it should be pursued <br />whether or not this is the right location. Ms. Richards said she- has difficulty in <br />maintaining pubIic property for the benefit-of a few, and if this project is not approved, <br />she feels the accessibility and usability of this land must be improved for the public at <br />large. Ms. Richards said she is concerned with the precedent of selling parkland, though <br />she does notjsee it as a policy decision that Council has made. Ms, Richards expressed <br />concern about the discord the proposal has created in the community and about questions <br />of credibility of Mr. Tatum. Ms. Richard said Mr. Tatum put in many years of public <br />service and always removed himself when conflicts arose, often at the expense of his <br />professional career_ Ms. Richards said she would like to see theptedge of the property <br />owners for an easement to the land developed, perhaps with a restrictive covenant which <br />would also obligate them to maintain the easement. Ms. Richards said she thinks the <br />development is well designed and will be beneficial to the community. Ms. Richards <br />made a motion to approve the ordinance authorizing the exchange of land. <br /> <br /> Ms, Daugherty seconded the motion and the ordinance was carried over to the <br />next meeting for consideration. <br /> <br /> <br />