http://northdowntown.org/ en colettehall@embarqmail.com Copyright 2008 2008-07-22T20:48:00-05:00 http://northdowntown.org/site/comments/ndra_home/ http://northdowntown.org/site/comments/ndra_home/#When:23:31:00Z From South Street and the Downtown Mall to the 250 Bypass, and from McIntire and Birdwood Road in the west to Kelly Avenue in the east, North Downtown is located in the heart of Charlottesville. The North Downtown Residents Association is our neighborhood’s voice in matters of community and neighborhood concern, uniting the thoughts and concerns of many into one voice that speaks for the neighborhood as a whole. We need your ideas, your suggestions, your help, and we welcome your support. Unless we make our opinions known on issues of common concern, neighborhood interests can easily be ignored or simply taken for granted. The NDRA serves as a clearinghouse for information, a forum for discussion of neighborhood issues and a vehicle for making our concerns known to those who make decisions. Join us and make your voice heard. board 2007-09-09T23:31:00-05:00 http://northdowntown.org/site/comments/special_mayoral_meetings/ http://northdowntown.org/site/comments/special_mayoral_meetings/#When:19:48:00Z A SPECIAL MEETING of CITY COUNCIL will be held on Tuesday, August 5, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. in the “City Space” in the CCDC, (downtown mall side of the Market St. parking garage, formerly the Visitors Center) THE PROPOSED AGENDA IS AS FOLLOWS: Meeting with Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and Albemarle County Board of Supervisors to discuss Regional Transit. A SPECIAL MEETING of CITY COUNCIL will be held on Wednesday, August 6, 2008 at 4:00 p.m in the City Hall Basement Conference Room. THE PROPOSED AGENDA IS AS FOLLOWS: (Closed session as provided by Section 2.2-3712 of the Virginia Code) Interviews:  Planning Commission (interviews will be open to the public for observation only) BY ORDER OF THE MAYOR issues 2008-07-22T19:48:00-05:00 http://northdowntown.org/site/comments/mall_restoration_meeting_monday_june_23_630_pm/ http://northdowntown.org/site/comments/mall_restoration_meeting_monday_june_23_630_pm/#When:16:26:00Z The recent meeting had a large attendance and the issue goes back to Council for a final design decision on July 21. “With a clear focus on achieving a cleaner, safer, more environmentally-sustainable and attractive Downtown Mall, the Charlottesville Downtown Pedestrian Mall has been undergoing a community-driven interactive process for a structural and cosmetic update with MMM Design Group since October 2007.  The project, slated to begin construction in early 2009, will preserve the current design, work to eliminate structural and safety concerns, update materials and add extended life to the City’s pedestrian-friendly center core.” City staff “The construction period is 5 months. . . . the first month is December [2008] when much of the material will be ordered and “out of sight” work will be done.  The intent is still to start on January 2nd and finish on April 30th at the latest.” City staff For updates on the project design through the summer and fall, http://www.mydowntownmall.com, or contact Jim Tolbert or Tony Edwards at NDS, 970-3182. issues 2008-06-10T16:26:00-05:00 http://northdowntown.org/site/comments/report_on_cc_june_4_interchange_design_work_session/ http://northdowntown.org/site/comments/report_on_cc_june_4_interchange_design_work_session/#When:17:21:00Z Council held a work session on June 4 to sort out what ideas need to be modified: to keep costs within the Federal earmark, to decrease the size/mass, to maintain bike/pedestrian access, to solve the Hillcrest closure dilemma, to fit this structure into the historic landscape, to avoid cut-through traffic on ND residential streets, and to redesign Nelson/Perry Drs. intersections. Results: modified G 1 Alternative (250 Interchange web site- right sidebar - for G1 photo), signalized intersection, flat bridge rather than arches, move trail closer to road (these four will result in smaller footprint and hopefully project will come in within earmark) Possible - only have trail on McIntire Rd. to 250 on the west side of McIntire which means one has to enter /cross at Harris St.area.  Hillcrest St. closure not addressed other than consultant said, it has to close due to ramp No additional attempt made to mitigate the effects on the historic surroundings. Redesign Nelson & Perry intersections is under review . . . by traffic engineer. issues 2008-06-06T17:21:00-05:00 http://northdowntown.org/site/comments/water_supply/ http://northdowntown.org/site/comments/water_supply/#When:15:58:01Z Regardless of whom you are owner, renter, socioeconomic level, employed, or student the water/sewer rates increased and you will be paying more. Water/sewer treatment centers are/will undergo renovation, otherwise, the RSWA is squirreling money from the past increases with no change in service to you. The RWSA’s 50 Year Water Supply Plan proposal will have huge implications for our community. All city residents and those in the urban county will see drastically increased water/sewer bills for years to come, far into the future. Whatever plan is chosen to provide enough water for 50 years, the money for that must be in any plan that our elected officials approve. The money will also go toward sewer infrastructure and water/sewer treatment center renovations. http://www.readthehook.com/stories/2008/05/22/NEWS-waterPlanCitizensPlanContrasts.aspx issues 2008-05-14T15:58:01-05:00 http://northdowntown.org/site/comments/2nd_st_neighbors_appeal_to_city_council/ http://northdowntown.org/site/comments/2nd_st_neighbors_appeal_to_city_council/#When:19:48:00Z "Dear Neighbors, Several of us who are property owners contiguous to the proposed residential project at 509 Second Street, NE appeared before City Council on May 5 to appeal the Board of Architectural Review approval of the concept design.  We are appealing on the grounds that the process insufficiently addressed the issue of mass and scale in relation to the lot, the surrounding area, and the character of the neighborhood. (If you would like more information or to sign their petition, please contact Kristen Suokko - ksuokko@gmail.com or Fred Schneider - redbox@charlottesville.net).” On May 5, City Council decided to send the applicant back to the BAR on June 17 to see if the front of the building, which appears to alienate itself from the fabric of the neighborhood, can be redesigned. They did not address the issue of mass and scale. At the June 17th BAR meeting, “. . .with the BAR’s comments overwhelmingly NOT supporting the house.” The issue goes back to City Council on August 18. Are you concerned this may set a neighborhood precedent regarding mass/size? Do we need a zoning change regrading infill, demolition and massing/size to avoid this situation in the future? Please attend City Council on August 18 and support the appeal. issues 2008-04-30T19:48:00-05:00 http://northdowntown.org/site/comments/ndra_president_awarded_citizen_planner_of_the_year/ http://northdowntown.org/site/comments/ndra_president_awarded_citizen_planner_of_the_year/#When:22:08:02Z NDRA President Colette Hall was the recipient of the Charlottesville’s 2008 Citizen Planner of the Year award! The award states: “Colette is recognized for keeping track and staying in tune with a multitude of issues affecting the North Downtown area including the Meadowcreek Parkway interchange and traffic and zoning concerns in her neighborhood.  She is neighborhood president and has made a point to attend countless public meetings in the past year.” Way to go, Colette! issues 2008-02-25T22:08:02-05:00 http://northdowntown.org/site/comments/250_interchange/ http://northdowntown.org/site/comments/250_interchange/#When:01:42:00Z To insure the survival of the neighborhood, to protect its integrity and maintain its character, residents must educate themselves on the footprint, mass, effect, and longevity of the proposed 250 Interchange. This project is a monster, folks, and we need to make our voices heard NOW. Full info at the 250 Interchange website. none 2008-02-08T01:42:00-05:00 http://northdowntown.org/site/comments/ndra_to_be_a_consulting_party_for_historic_properties/ http://northdowntown.org/site/comments/ndra_to_be_a_consulting_party_for_historic_properties/#When:21:09:00Z "Historic Properties” eligible for the National Registry: McIntire School/Covenant School, 501 and 502 Park Hill, Rock Hill Landscape garden (now MACAA), McIntire Park, and the McIntire Golf Course. The Vietnam Memorial is ineligible although it appears to be the first Vietnam Memorial in the USA. NDRA was granted “consulting party” status by the FHWA regarding the 250 Interchange effects on “historic properties.” The Neighborhood will be now be able to attend the previous “private” meetings and add its voice regarding “historic properties” that are located in the North Downtown Neighborhood. These properties may be negatively affected by the proposed 250 Interchange Project. issues 2007-12-12T21:09:00-05:00 http://northdowntown.org/site/comments/neighborhood_development_update_11_02_07/ http://northdowntown.org/site/comments/neighborhood_development_update_11_02_07/#When:22:02:00Z Recent update can be read in the Daily Progress article by Seth Rosen, Officials see bad omens for projects January 22, 2008. NORTH DOWNTOWN 1. Third Street NE: Now open to pedestrians only. 2. Downtown Mall: Status: Planning stages The City hosted several meetings in the past months with various stakeholders in the Downtown Mall project. Final plans before Council at July 21 meeting. 3. 301 W. Main Rezoning/Site Plan: Status: Rezoning Approved/Site Plan: A proposed 9 story mixed use development on the corner of West Main Street and McIntire Road. This development is proposed to have 79 condo units, 4 retail establishments, underground parking and provide streetscape improvements along the 300 block of Main Street. The BAR has given conditional approval, but the project exterior design still needs to be tweaked. 4. First and Main: Status: In Review The applicant has deferred review of this project in order to address staff comments and make some decisions about how to proceed.  This plan will go to the Planning Commission for review prior to approval. No change. 5. Hotel Charlottesville: Status: Planned completion July, 09 6. 600 East Water Street: Status: The plan is for construction to begin soon. This is another nine story called the “Waterhouse” with row-house appearance buildings to face South St. and mixed use facing Water St., at least on the street level, issues 2007-11-13T22:02:00-05:00