Fry’s Spring Neighborhood Association
February 13, 2008
Attendees:
Jeanne S. Chase Phil D. Chase Charles Werner
Peter Hedlund A.K. Wieder Susan Lee Foard
Betty Nowell Josephine Clifton Don Franco
Thomas Martin Adrienne Dent Mo Nichols
Joe Mooney Peggy King James King
Hardy Whitten Sara O’Hara Eunice Towery
Eric Pugh John Santoski Stephen Andrews
Betty Mooney Terri DiCintio
Meeting called to order by Peter Hedlund, President, at 5:59 pm:
00:00:00
Discussion of Agenda Order and Time Allotment for Agenda Items:
00:00:00-00:02:11
New Fire Station
Chief Charles Werner
00:02:11-00:18:56
Cherry Hill Pocket Park
Don Franco
00:18:58-00:23:34
DUE TO TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES, THE DIGITAL RECORDING ENDS HERE.
Don Franco will present the design for the bridge from the pocket park over Lodge Creek into Cherry Hill Development for posting on the FSNA website when it is designed.
Zoning
Peter Hedlund
Currently the Fry’s Spring Neighborhood is zoned either R1 or R2. Some portions zoned R2 include Stribling Ave., Cherry/Crestmont/Cleveland/Hammond, Center to Shamrock, Stratford Court (this area includes the Hill/Center property owned by Tom Hickman). There is the opportunity to request that the City initiate a down zoning in the Fry’s Spring neighborhood to a unified R1.
Any property within these areas or within the FS neighborhood in general that are currently zoned and being used as R2 would remain as such and would be considered non-conforming properties. Sale of a property would not effect its zoning or use. The potential rezoning of areas would effect only future dwellings and only existing dwellings where the whole unit is vacant for two consecutive years. Properties in the above categories would be required to conform.
Questions were raised regarding motivation for requesting inquiry into zoning only R1. Some motivations mentioned were benefits of unifying the neighborhood by promoting single family occupancy and single family ownership, of protecting developable parcels in Fry’s Spring area, and of strengthening investment in local schools and other neighborhood assets.
James King expressed his concern about including all voices in the neighborhood and future voices, specifically with a mind to low-moderate income residents. Susan Lee Foard asked if enforcement of existing codes might address issues associated with multiple-unit homes (i.e. neglect by absentee landlords, parking, increased traffic, noise, etc.). Terri DiCintio emphasized the importance of differentiating the following: Fry’s Spring Neighborhood Association request for City zoning process, City process and Fry’s Spring Neighborhood’s response to the City’s process. Andrea K. Wieder proposed that the FSNA request that the City canvas potentially affected areas rather than the FSNA shoulder this responsibility. Peggy King told of the problems the JPA neighborhood encountered when they did not consult all the neighbors before asking to be down zoned.
At 7:03 Susan Lee Foard moved that the FSNA craft a flyer and distribute it to potentially effected areas. The flyer would invite residents and homeowners to join the zoning dialogue at a future FSNA meeting. Hardy Whitten seconded the motion. James King suggested that renters be requested to contact the unit owners. The motion passed at 7:04 with one dissenting vote.
Updates
Community Water Plan
Joe Mooney
The Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority has explored three options to provide adequate water supply to its customers. One option is to dredge the South Fork Rivanna Reservoir (SFRR). A second option is to pipe water from James River to the SFRR. The third option is to run pipes from the SFRR to the Ragged Mountain Reservoir (RMR), to raise the RMR by 45 ft, installing a second, higher, dam, to store water at RMR to be later treated and distributed, and consequently to flood much of the Ragged Mountain Natural Area.
One estimate was sought for the potential dredging of the SFRR. The RWSA’s decision is based on this one estimate, offered by a company who has no experience with dredging and whose primary service is dam building.
A group of citizens concerned about the efficacy of the process and about the future of the reservoirs formed. This group, including Dede Smith and Betty Mooney, believe that City Council is at the point of procuring a second and more valid estimate on dredging the SFRR. This group hopes that in the coming two months Mayor Norris will request a second estimate from a company with dredging experience. The expense incurred by this estimate and by resulting work would not be tied to current budget considerations.
For more information and to see how you can help, go to www.cvillewater.info
PACC-Tech
Peter Hedlund
Peter Hedlund reported that the idea of an interchange at I-64 and Sunset Ave. instead of an entire Sunset-Fontaine Connector is dead. Peter reports that it was proposed that improvements be made to the connection between Stribling Ave. and Fontaine Ave. in order to accommodate greater density at the Fontaine Research Park. These proposed improvements would not be intended to funnel additional traffic down Stribling Ave. into Fry’s Spring but rather to be part of a future Sunset-Fontaine Connector.
Crime Statistics
Peter Hedlund
Peter has the crime statistics provided by the Charlottesville Police Dept. and has posted them to the FSNA web site.
Highland Traffic Calming and Hill/Center Development
Terri DiCintio
The Highland Avenue speed hump has been approved through the City. Terri does not know when the traffic calming installations at the bottom of Highland Ave. will be complete. One bump out has been installed with drainage improvements to that side of Highland. The second proposed bump out has been deemed unnecessary but drainage improvements and new markings remain incomplete.
The Hill/Center Development will possibly be on the Planning Commission docket in March. An e-mail alert will be distributed to FSNA as soon as Huntley/Center appears on the docket. There may be a few changes to the plan as presented last by Terri and it may change more before it is submitted to City staff. Generally the plan shows 12 to13 units accessible from Center Ave. and two units accessible from Hill St.
Huntley
Andrea K. Wieder
All documents regarding Huntley are currently on the FSNA website. Please make time to view review them all - including the latest materials from the Virginia Department of Conservations and Recreation (DCR).
Following a review of the environment issues at the Huntley Development housing site, in the fall of 2007, the DCR has asked for additional information and an engineering study and review of storm water, sedimentation and other environmental matters at the housing site. This new report, to be prepared by Taggart Engineering (the original engineer of the building site), is due in March, 2008.
The Huntley Development Task Force continues to monitor this project and will post additional materials as they become available.
Safety, Sidewalks and Drainage-Old Lynchburg Rd.
Jeanne Chase
The neighborhood expects a follow-up meeting to that held in September 2007 with the engineering firm contracted by the City. The upcoming meeting is tentatively scheduled fro March 4, 2008 at the Cherry Avenue Christian Church. Jeanne awaits further word from Tony Edwards and will send an update as soon as possible.
The OLR project is now a separate line item in the FY 2009-2013 Proposed City Budget posted on the City website.
Meeting adjourned at 7:30pm.