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Agenda Item
19. 20-319 ZMA201900008 Parkway Place. PROJECT: ZMA201900008 Parkway Place MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT: Rio TAX MAP/PARCEL(S): 06100000016700, 061000000167C0 LOCATION: 878 E. Rio Road. PROPOSAL: Proposal to rezone two properties for up to 328 residential dwelling units. PETITION: Rezone a total of approximately 27.31 acres from the R4 Zoning District, which allows residential uses at densities up to 4 units/acre to Planned Residential Development (PRD), which allows residential (3 - 34 units/acre) with limited commercial uses. A maximum of 328 multifamily residential units are proposed along with approximately 13 acres of both public and private open space at a net density of 16.17 units/acre, and a gross density of 12.01 units/acre. Request for a substitution of recreation facilities in accordance with 18-4.16.2. ZONING: R-4 Residential - 4 units/acre. OVERLAY DISTRICT(S): AIA - Airport Impact Area Overlay, EC - Entrance Corridor, FH - Flood Hazard Overlay, Managed and Preserved Steep Slopes Steep Slopes. PROFFERS: Yes. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN: Neighborhood Service Center - commercial, retail, and employment uses with supporting residential (3-20 units/acre); Urban Mixed Use (in Centers) - retail, residential, commercial, employment, office, institutional, and open space; Urban Density Residential - residential (6.01 - 34 units/ acre); supporting uses such as religious institutions, schools, commercial, office and service uses; Public Open Space - recreation and open space uses; and Privately Owned Open Space, Environmental Features - privately owned recreational amenities and open space; floodplains, steep slopes, wetlands, and other environmental features in Neighborhood 2 of the Places29 Comprehensive Plan Area.
I am writing to support Parkway Place. I have lived in both the City and the County, currently I live in the City. The affordable units at Parkway Place will help people who need workforce housing such as first responders, medical workers, teachers, and others. These workers have been there for us during the pandemic and they have needed affordable housing in our community for a long time. They will be in a convenient location to places of employment and shopping.
Parkway Place will help our community recover, with more of our important public service workers able to live near where they work. This is the time to move forward. This is the time to provide housing, the foundation of a secure life, for those who have served us so well.
Since moving from the City two years ago, we love our new home and our friendly new neighbors in our new neighborhood.
I support approval of the Parkway Place neighborhood project across Rio Road in our beautiful Albemarle County area.
Just FYI – I am not on their payroll. I am one of the neighbors that thinks Parkway Place — a neighborhood community of homes and families, with the funds for needed roadway improvements as well as several other amenities — will be a robust improvement.
I am a Charlottesville city resident. I support this project because it will provide housing opportunities for teachers and other public servants in close proximity to town. I also I am excited about the opportunities for biking and hiking, as well as public transit, that will be opened up by this project.
I am a resident of the Dunlora community. I support approval needed for Parkway Place. The applicant has made concessions in response to community concerns. First, there will be 50 units of affordable housing at the 80% AMI level. For those members of the community questioning what afforable housing is, they should be reminded that this means many of our workforce could afford these units.These could be potential homes for our police, firefighters, teachers and medical workers to live near their work as opposed to driving till they qualify. Second, if the County is serious about decreasing carbon output in the community, this is the kind of development needed so more people can access bus routes, bike and pedestrian trails as an alternative to driving. And third, the road improvements or money for this use will improve the safety for Dunlora residents and those traveling along Rio Road near the John Warner Parkway.
Oppose this rezoning request. SAFETY for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists in and around the proposed entrance corridor is a major shortcoming. Planning Commission failed to take guidance from county staff. Both immediate and long-term traffic concerns are not planned for, as outlined in the Small Area Plan. There was minimal public support for approving the rezoning; 2 city residents with limited knowledge of proposal and the heir to the Wetsel property. If this is one of the last large piece of develop able lands in Albemarle, treat it that way. The proffers and what the developer needs to do to improve the community is weak at best, and embarrassing at most.
I support this development. It is a great spot for housing, the project includes a connection to public transit, and it provides publically accessible green space. We need more projects like this in order to make progress in meeting the area's needs for more affordable housing. I urge you to support it.
The proposed design for Parkway Place has a few missed opportunities for this strategic corner. Rezoning from R-4 is the right thing to do, but the right zoning class is NMD, not PRD. Two suggestions for strengthening this proposal:
1. Respect the site and break up the massing. Double loaded suburban apartment buildings are not a good fit for this site. A much more interesting plan would be to use small urban blocks and smaller buildings with relegated parking, creating a neighborhood instead of a complex. Like this: https://opticosdesign.com/work/prairie-queen/
2. Mix uses: the comprehensive plan lists this area as a mixed use neighborhood focused center, and for good reason. It has a very strategic location at the head of the wonderful Parkway mixed mode trail and across the street from CATEC. Office space and a tiny bit of retail on the corner would enhance the area significantly, giving people in the area something to walk to; coffee shop, bodega, or employment.
I am writing to support Parkway Place. I have lived in both the City and the County, currently I live in the City. The affordable units at Parkway Place will help people who need workforce housing such as first responders, medical workers, teachers, and others. These workers have been there for us during the pandemic and they have needed affordable housing in our community for a long time. They will be in a convenient location to places of employment and shopping.
Parkway Place will help our community recover, with more of our important public service workers able to live near where they work. This is the time to move forward. This is the time to provide housing, the foundation of a secure life, for those who have served us so well.
I live on Fowler Ridge Court.
Since moving from the City two years ago, we love our new home and our friendly new neighbors in our new neighborhood.
I support approval of the Parkway Place neighborhood project across Rio Road in our beautiful Albemarle County area.
Just FYI – I am not on their payroll. I am one of the neighbors that thinks Parkway Place — a neighborhood community of homes and families, with the funds for needed roadway improvements as well as several other amenities — will be a robust improvement.
Ive signed up to speak to address Traffic safety issues as related to human behavior.
I am a Charlottesville city resident. I support this project because it will provide housing opportunities for teachers and other public servants in close proximity to town. I also I am excited about the opportunities for biking and hiking, as well as public transit, that will be opened up by this project.
I am a resident of the Dunlora community. I support approval needed for Parkway Place. The applicant has made concessions in response to community concerns. First, there will be 50 units of affordable housing at the 80% AMI level. For those members of the community questioning what afforable housing is, they should be reminded that this means many of our workforce could afford these units.These could be potential homes for our police, firefighters, teachers and medical workers to live near their work as opposed to driving till they qualify. Second, if the County is serious about decreasing carbon output in the community, this is the kind of development needed so more people can access bus routes, bike and pedestrian trails as an alternative to driving. And third, the road improvements or money for this use will improve the safety for Dunlora residents and those traveling along Rio Road near the John Warner Parkway.
Oppose this rezoning request. SAFETY for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists in and around the proposed entrance corridor is a major shortcoming. Planning Commission failed to take guidance from county staff. Both immediate and long-term traffic concerns are not planned for, as outlined in the Small Area Plan. There was minimal public support for approving the rezoning; 2 city residents with limited knowledge of proposal and the heir to the Wetsel property. If this is one of the last large piece of develop able lands in Albemarle, treat it that way. The proffers and what the developer needs to do to improve the community is weak at best, and embarrassing at most.
I support this development. It is a great spot for housing, the project includes a connection to public transit, and it provides publically accessible green space. We need more projects like this in order to make progress in meeting the area's needs for more affordable housing. I urge you to support it.
The proposed design for Parkway Place has a few missed opportunities for this strategic corner. Rezoning from R-4 is the right thing to do, but the right zoning class is NMD, not PRD. Two suggestions for strengthening this proposal:
1. Respect the site and break up the massing. Double loaded suburban apartment buildings are not a good fit for this site. A much more interesting plan would be to use small urban blocks and smaller buildings with relegated parking, creating a neighborhood instead of a complex. Like this: https://opticosdesign.com/work/prairie-queen/
2. Mix uses: the comprehensive plan lists this area as a mixed use neighborhood focused center, and for good reason. It has a very strategic location at the head of the wonderful Parkway mixed mode trail and across the street from CATEC. Office space and a tiny bit of retail on the corner would enhance the area significantly, giving people in the area something to walk to; coffee shop, bodega, or employment.