The Coalition to Preserve McIntire Park—a group led by John Cruickshank of the Sierra Club and made up of several Charlottesville residents—has filed two motions in Charlottesville Circuit Court, including a motion for preliminary injunction to halt construction on the Meadowcreek Parkway, according to a press release issued this afternoon.
The motions, drawn up by attorney (and Charlottesville Democratic Co-Chair) Jennifer McKeever, argue that City Council illegally conveyed land to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), citing a section of the Virginia Constitution that sales of public land require a three-quarters majority. Only three of five city councilors voted to convey the easements.
Stratton Salidis, a member of CPMP, has long pointed to that section of the law, but City Attorney Craig Brown advised Council that the conveyance by simple majority was legal.
"We are determined to use all available state and federal laws to prevent the destruction of McIntire Park and protect the rights of citizens," said Cruickshank in the press release. "Among those rights is the right to the quiet enjoyment of land donated in perpetuity to our city by Paul Goodloe McIntire for use as a park."
Faulconer Construction started work on the county portion of the Parkway last week.
