MINS_20230808Aug08-Joint Council-PC public hearing-APPROVED

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After Council and Commission comments about affordable housing components, uses of the commercial space, the potential number of housing units, and project viability, Chair Solla-Yates opened the public hearing. The following individuals spoke: • Carmelita Wood, Fifeville Neighborhood Association, spoke in favor of the project. • Sakib Ahmed, city resident, spoke in support of the project. • Robert Croner, city resident and board member of Twice as Nice Thrift Store, spoke in support of the project. • Robin Goldstein, Director of Meals on Wheels Charlottesville-Albemarle, spoke in support of the project. • Peter Krebs, Piedmont Environmental Council, spoke in support of the project. • Norman Lewis, city resident and Twice as Nice volunteer, spoke in support of the project. • Mustafa Mohammed Asif, city resident, spoke in support of the project. • Triana Hughes, city resident, spoke about potential traffic in the area of the project, and the lack of community engagement. She ceded the remainder of her time to her sister Trinity Hughes who agreed that more community engagement is needed. • Sarah Mathes, Vice President of the Fifeville Neighborhood Association, spoke in favor of the project and stated that the neighborhood association is attempting to reach all residents to inform them about the project. • Paulina Mashenko, city resident, applauded Woodard Properties for a community- centered approach. She expressed concerns about traffic in the area of the proposed development and asked for consideration of planting trees on all sides of the property. • Matthew Gillikin, city resident speaking on behalf of Livable Cville, supported the project and requested improvements to adjacent streets and sidewalks. • Warrick Palmer, city resident, spoke in support of the project, and asked which properties on 5th and 6th Streets would be affected. Mr. Wade exited the meeting at 10:50 p.m. • Pat Lloyd, city resident, spoke about Twice as Nice as a community asset and in support of the project. • Willow Gail, city resident, read a letter of support from Abundant Life Ministries. • Frank Bector, city resident, spoke in support of the project. Chair Solla-Yates closed the public hearing and the Planning Commission deliberated. Council members provided feedback. Mayor Snook stated the need to consider the uses of the property and cautioned against approving a project based on the proposed tenants. The Commission moved the rezoning approval and special use permit approval, with conditions, forward to Council.