The appointed body that advises Charlottesville City Council on planning matters has adopted a resolution stating more clearly why they do not feel that two public roads proposed as part of a riverfront development are consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.
If this sounds familiar, the Planning Commission held a public hearing last month to determine whether the “general character and approximate location” of proposed trails and roadways were consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.
Seven Development has filed several site plans for a new complex that would see 245 apartments units constructed above the floodplain of the Rivanna River. Staff had made multiple denials before the Planning Commission discussed the matter on August 8.
This time around, they had to take a final step.
“Virginia Code requires that the Commission communicate its findings to the City Council indicating its approval or disapproval with written reasons for its decision,” said Carrie Rainey, the city’s urban planner.
That had not happened on August 8 and a resolution laid out the will of all but one of the Commissioners.
The Planning Commission got legal advice on the matter in a closed session that began their day. City Councilor Michael Payne was not present for the closed meeting and had a question.
“What would be the process in terms of after the Planning Commission takes a vote, what happens after that?” Payne asked.
City attorney Jacob Stroman there have been two appeals from the developer.
“Given the timing constraints in the Code of Virginia, we would recommend that Council take up both of those appeals at its first meeting in October,” Stroman said
Commissioner Rory Stolzenberg was not present on August 8. He said he did find that one of two roads would be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan because it connected to the public trails that would also be provided. He voted against the reaffirmation
Another loose thread is an appraisal of the property commissioned by the City of Charlottesville in February. The work is complete but has not been shared with the public.
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