After hearing testimony from nearly 100 community members during a four-hour public hearing on Charlottesville’s proposed new zoning code, Council voted unanimously to further deliberate the draft ordinance.
It was standing-room only in Council chambers Tuesday evening, with some folks sitting on the floor as they waited their turn to speak. Others watched a live stream in the nearby CitySpace building and walked over to City Hall to make their comment.
The comments ran the gamut.
“I moved to Charlottesville because I like what I see here right now,” said Timothy Long, a Rugby Avenue resident. “I object to the R-C designation of my neighborhood.” (That designation would allow for more density.) “I believe R-C will ruin the nature and the flavor of the Rugby Avenue neighborhood. I do like looking out my kitchen window at the sunset. That would be gone if the next lot were built to R-C standards.”
The next commenter, Mark Anderson, an Elliott Avenue resident, said that he came to Charlottesville as a University of Virginia student in 2014. “Throughout my four years in school, I never once had a bedroom to myself because I couldn’t afford it. It wasn’t until 2021, my eighth year living in this city, that I could finally afford to live in a home with as many bedrooms as there were occupants.” He did not say what he does for a living.
More about Charlottesville zoning
Those speaking in favor of the ordinance outnumbered those speaking against it nearly 3 to 1. Some speakers weren’t clear on whether they supported it or not, but rather shared personal stories, asked Council to change specific things in the ordinance, or asked the Council to make what it feels is the best decision for the community.
Some asked the Council to pause the whole process and give it more time. City officials began work on the new zoning code about seven years ago. Others insisted the Council couldn’t delay this decision any more because displacement is happening now. Two people suggested that the decision should be made not by elected officials, but by a citywide referendum.
At the start of the meeting, Mayor Lloyd Snook stated that Council reads every email it receives about the ordinance, so they have heard from those who did not attend the hearing.
Council will further deliberate the draft zoning ordinance during a work session on Wednesday, Dec. 13.
During that work session, Council might vote on the ordinance, or it might decide to continue deliberation.
Work session documents will be available on the City’s website.
