By. Neil Williamson, President
An Open Letter to Charlottesville Planning Commission
Tonight’s (1/24) work session is dedicated to discuss potential changes to a number of different sections of the zoning ordinance to include critical slopes, floodplains and Entrance Corridors. Looking directly at critical slopes, the goals of the regulations are to promote orderly development of a city that is harmonious with nature. Unfortunately, it seems that staff has a different perspective.
From the staff report:
The demand for housing and other development within the city is increasingly putting pressure on lots that are difficult to develop, including those with steep slopes. That demand has translated into development revenues that can support the development costs of these difficult sites. Staff’s presumption is that protection of natural critical slope areas are preferred as a
matter of policy over developed alternatives Emphasis add-NW
The Free Enterprise Forum agrees with staff regarding the “pressure on lots that are more difficult to develop”. Residential development, like water and electricity, follows the path of least resistance. We see much of the un and under developed land in the city has challenges, that’s usually why it has not been developed thus far.
We strongly disagree with staff’s assumption that the protection of slopes is preferred to development. To be a “World Class City”, one needs to think like a city. Rather than saying “no” to development on steep slopes, focus on the ecological contributions of the slope and then look for an engineered solution that provides equal or greater ecological contribution.
We appreciate staff’s question “What are we protecting?” – if it is the water runoff and water quality – development might not be the problem, it may in fact be the solution.
The Free Enterprise Forum is aware of clever, often innovative engineering/construction techniques that when used together can result in better water (quality, quantity, and velocity) coming off the site than prior to the development.
Respecting the environment does not always mean preventing change.
Change is required if we seek to grow as a community.
If Charlottesville chooses not to grow, that is a decision as well.
Respectfully Submitted,
Neil Williamson, President
Since 2003, Neil Williamson has served as the President of The Free Enterprise Forum, a privately funded non partisan public policy organization covering the City of Charlottesville as well as Albemarle, Greene, Fluvanna, Louisa and Nelson County. For more information visit the website www.freeenterpriseforum.org
Free Enterprise Forum 