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271 On motion by Ms. Richards, seconded by Mr. Toscano, the $100,000 Loan/Challenge Grant to the Municipal Band was offered and carried over to the next meeting for consideration. ORDINANCE: CLOSING PORTION OF CASTALIA STREET (2nd reading) Mr. Ron Higgins, Planner in the Department of Neighborhood Planning and Development Services, explained, in response to questions raised by Councilors at the first reading of the ordinance, the properties in question do not connect to the Rivanna Trails property and are not integral to a connected system. Mr. Higgins said that closing the street will cut down on nuisance-type traffic such as mopeds. Mr. Caravati said he has heard from neigt'doors that the owner intends to build on the property. Mr. Higgins aid that Mr. Powell has said he has no intention of building, though he legally could, but does plan to pave a driveway. Mr. Higgins noted that the ordinance should have language closing two separate portions, not one continuous one. Mr. Toscano made a motion to amend the language in the ord'mance to indicate that there are two separate portions to be closed. Ms. Richards seconded the amendment. Mr. Caravati said he will vote against closing the street because of concern by the neighbors about its use over time. Mr. Caravati said he thinks the right of way is beneficial to the greater neighborhood. Mss. Richards asked if Mr. Higgins has had contact with the neighbors, and Mr. Higgins said he has spoken with the immediate neighbors who are not interested in the street being a public right of way, but they want to control it for parking. Mr. Higgins said there is no heavy pathway there and he does not see the closing as preventing people from going through. Ms. P/chards asked ifbollards could be installed to prevent mopeds, but Mr. Higgins said that would be problematic and would not prevent mopeds from accessing it. Mr. Toscano said that the north section is not an issue, and he feels the impact of closing the south portion is minimal if any. The ordinance was amended by the following vote. Ayes: Mr. Caravati, Ms. Daugherty, Ms. Richards, Mr. Toscano. Noes: None. Absent: Mr. Cox. The ordinance entitled "AN ORDFNANCE CLOSING, VACATING AND DISCONTINUING PORTIONS OF CASTALIA STREET," which was offered at the November 15th meeting, was approved by the following vote. Ayes: Ms. Daugherty, Ms. Richards, Mr. Toscano. Noes: Mr. Caravati. Absent: Mr. Cox. ORDINANCE: PRE-APPLICATION CONFERENCES WITH BAR (2nd reading) Mr. Gouldman, in response to comments made during "Matters by the Public" said that most ordinances do not legally require a public hearing, but this ordinance, because it is part of the zoning ordinance, does require a joint public hearing by the Planning Commission and Council. Mr. Gouldman said that it was an oversight that this process was not followed, and it will now go through that process. Also in response to comments made, Mr. Gouldman said that ordinances can be amended if there is no major substantive change, but if the amendment str:&e new ground, there should be a new fa:st reading. Ms. Daugherty asked if the ordinance, as written, reflects What Council wants sent to the Planning Commission, and it was agreed that it did.