Thread by @NeilSWilliamson

Attending #Charlottesville Zoning Ordinance work session with City Council and Planning Commission Reserved #SeatsAvailable

Height questions - under the new ordinance - the measurement is both feet and stories. If it is 5 stories and 100 feet, it is still 5 stories. There is some wiggle room in the heigh The goal of this double standard is to limit the number of short stories that can be "crammed" in

A secondary goal of the standard is to encourage a variety of floor heights and building heights.

#Charlottesville NDS Director James Freas indicates stacked townhouses are accommodated in zoning class RB and RC

#Charlottesville Policy question 1 - Should you be allowed to park in a driveway (or your front yard). The current zoning does not have a prohibition on front yard parking. The new ordinance proposed does expressly prohibit front yard parking

#Charlottesville discussion focuses on where should we put the cars in a new denser city. There seems to be to exempt 1 & 2 unit buildings from the parking prohibitions.

@RoryStolzenberg suggest letting people park in their driveway. Concern is raised about other tenants that may be parked behind. And according to Freas "Every time we allow a driveway we create a private parking space and lose a public parking space"

#Charlottesville Policy Discussion 2 - Reduced heights in RA The proposal reflects the actual conditions currently. The current ordinance allows 35 feet (3 stories) the proposed ordinance is lower.

New ordinance proposal is 32 feet height = 2.5 stories

#Charlottesville Planning Commissioner indicates the proposed ordinance maximum dormer size seems "fussy"

I am not clear under the proposed zoning code if it would prohibit walkout basements on most sloping lots. From the front it looks like 2 stories, from the rear it looks like 3 stories. Staff has been modeling these scenarios.

Speaking about roof design #Charlottesville Planning Commissioner indicates he appreciates @RoryStolzenberg Cornice fetish but calls for increase gargoyle representation.

@RoryStolzenberg @SnookLloyd gets clarification on 2 over 2 townhouse designs

@RoryStolzenberg @SnookLloyd #Charlottesville City Councilor Michael Payne asks staff about potential for increase single family teardowns based on proposed changes to the zoning ordinance - specifically heights

@MPayneCville indicates he is OK with the three story if it involves multiple units but he is concerned that the height increase may encourage teardown of existing affordable housing for McMansions (not his word)

@MPayneCville #Charlottesville Straw Poll - allow a 3rd story in RA and RB if it is has 3 or more units - general consensus is yes

@MPayneCville Public Policy question - Single Unit density bonus if the original building is preserved - in RA - designed to encourage adaptive reuse of existing structures.

@MPayneCville Follow on question - why not in the other districts?

#Charlottesville Planning Commissioner "Not everything is worth saving"

#Charlottesville Planning Commissioner Liz Russell indicates the preservation bonus in higher density areas will not prevent teardowns and the proposal may just be making us feel better.

Next policy question involves proposed ground floor elevation. Calls for homes that are 20' off street have 1st floor to be elevated 2' over street height.

ADA concerns have been raised. Staff indicates Norfolk has porch designs that were ADA compliant. Downside it takes a great deal of porch

In an interesting comment - most #AffordableHousing grants require the buildings be ADA compliant

Now the discussion is about the Zoning map - the starting point was the infamous FLUM (Future Land Use Map) that was enacted with the Comprehensive Plan. Utilizing the interactive map - you can play along at home experience.arcgis.com/experience/60e…

"Zoning is just one factor in housing production, but just one you also need a willing seller, and a buyer with the investment pool to do the project ... the more rules and regulations required you reduce the probability of housing production." - #Charlottesville NDS Director

Housing production was a Comprehensive Plan goal.

#Charlottesville Work Session now moves into a map discussion which absent graphics does not make good twitterspeak (is that a word?)

@RoryStolzenberg suggests Rio should become a #Charlottesville Entrance Corridor (It is an #Albemarle EC)

"We are not looking at a final map right now" #Charlottesville NDS Director James Freas He also indicated many folks have written into question zoning designations on specific intersections and parcels -- staff is researching them.

"We need to have someplace for the students to live" arguing to increase density on JPA #Charlottesville Planning Commissioner Carl Schwartz

Fifth Street extended, I don't know what we are trying to protect out there. Right next to the highway, lets maximize the density and height - #Charlottesville Planning Commissioner Carl Schwartz

Fascinating discussion between @SnookLloyd and NDS director Freas over what the City can demand of a by right developer #Charlottesville

@SnookLloyd @SnookLloyd and @MPayneCville discuss the delay in providing concurrency of infrastructure improvements and development

@SnookLloyd @MPayneCville The question is if the #Charlottesville City Council approves increased housing density by right under the new zoning map, is the City be prepared to fund the required infrastructure (roads, public safety, schools, etc.)?

@SnookLloyd @MPayneCville One answer may be in the consultant's August report which predicted the rate of increase in total units under 5% annually.

@LyleSollaYates has asked for a motion to adjourn twice only to be greeted with additional questions.

with a "Casablanca" reference the #Charlottesville zoning work session now adjourned Peace and Love H/T @TheNolanStout