One item on City Council’s consent agenda hit a snag at a meeting May 7. A special use permit for a small apartment building to be built on a one-acre site on Jefferson Park Avenue threw Council into the ongoing debate about how the city is supposed to house all the ’Hoos.
Robby Noll of Trackside Properties II, LLC applied in April for a special use permit for increased height and density, a critical slopes waiver and reduced road setbacks to build a four-story, 12-unit apartment building at 1707 JPA, near the intersection of Montebello Circle.
 City Councilor Dave Norris took issue with the density of a new JPA apartment building at a recent Council meeting. He says he can support the project now that it’s reduced by two units. |
Despite complaints from the neighborhood that the project was too close to the road, too dense and didn’t provide enough parking for student vehicles, the permit was approved unanimously by the Planning Commission and from there made its way to Council.
When it came up on the city’s agenda, two councilors—Mayor David Brown and Kendra Hamilton—deferred to the commission’s decision. But two councilors—Kevin Lynch and Dave Norris—took issue with the project. It’s a pretty building, but too dense, Norris essentially said. Density is fine, but it’s too close to the road, were Lynch’s concerns.
Yet councilors were wary to send the project all the way back to the Planning Commission. Besides, Council would have to agree on specific issues with the project, since the commissioners had approved it unanimously.
The administrative pickle was resolved by deferring it to the next City Council meeting. Norris has since met with the developers to decrease the size of the project to 10 units. The setback will also be greater, though still nowhere close to the 35′ to 50′ setbacks of nearby buildings. “It’s something that I can support at this point,” Norris says.
But the bigger issues over student housing remain. Several years ago, City Council passed zoning guidelines for JPA—the side nearest the train tracks would increase in density, while the side closer to the county would retain its boulevard-like feel, according to Lynch. “I thought that we had a vision for JPA,” Lynch says.
Yet the impacts of student housing will continue to irk. Council and planning staff discussed the reality that making a residence walkable doesn’t mean students won’t bring their cars to Charlottesville.
“I think we really need to send a signal to the University that it needs to build more student housing on Grounds,” says Norris. The fear is that, if more apartments are built, UVA won’t get the message.
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