City Council

CITY OF FREDERICKSBURG, VIRGINIA HON. MARY KATHERINE GREENLAW, MAYOR HON. WILLIAM C. WITHERS, JR., VICE -MAYOR, WARD TWO CITY COUNCIL HON. KERRY P. DEVINE, AT-LARGE HON. MATTHEW J. KELLY, AT-LARGE HON. BRADFORD C. ELLIS, WARD ONE HON. DR. TIMOTHY P. DUFFY, WARD THREE Council Chambers, 715 Princess Anne Street HON. CHARLIE L. FRYE, JR., WARD FOUR Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401 Council Work Session November 10, 2015 Planning Commission Interviews The Council of the City of Fredericksburg, Virginia held a work session on Tuesday, November 10, 2015, beginning at 6:15 p.m. in City Hall Conference Room. Council Present. Mayor Mary Katherine Greenlaw, Presiding. Councilors William C. Withers, Jr., Kerry P. Devine, Timothy P. Duffy, Bradford C. Ellis, Charlie L. Frye, Jr. and Matthew J. Kelly. Also Present. Clerk of Council Tonya B. Lacey. Kenneth Gantt stated that the he has lived in the City for 10 years. He is retired military. He would like to serve on the Planning Commission because he has a belief in this City and what it represents. He would like to sustain the City’s historical atmosphere. He said he worked as a strategic planner for 18 years and he has a skill set that he believes would support what he has read and believe that the City would like to do. When asked what the two most pressing issues were in the City when it comes to developing and moving forward he said the infrastructure was a challenge because the streets are not made for the traffic that the development is bringing. He the second challenge was integrating businesses properly. He also said with the Dreamland project he would have looked harder at the infrastructure because this project would invite more people into the area. When asked about his thoughts on homeownership versus rental property he said it could be a challenge and he was more supportive of homeownership. He would like to see a 75 homeowners/25 rental percentage. Mr. Gantt said the following were the City’s greatest assets and there threats are: the downtown – its losing the down home feel; trails – threat is that families are concerned when it gets dark; police and fire services are good but they are overtaxed and University of Mary Washington the threat is what does the growth look like and their purchasing of property. 1  He said he would like to see more recreation facilities in the Fall Hill area and he did not think there were enough fields for the kids on Route 2. Mr. Gantt spoke to the question on parking and said it may be advantageous to look to see if the City has enough transportation services. Thomas O’Toole stated that he has lived in the City over 40 years and being a civil engineer, he has done a lot of work in the City and he has had to deal with many Planning Commissions. He said he is retired and now has the time to devote and he thinks he will be an asset due to his experience. He said it is interesting to see how development has taken place over the last 10 years. He said development must blend in with the current mixture of eateries and shops downtown. He said the City has done an amazing job the way it has been doing things. He felt the greatest asset of the City was James Monroe High school and the school system itself as well as the downtown and the low taxes. Mr. O’Toole said he would like to see more single-family homes built but there was not a lot of land left to build them on. He said he wish the area could be more regional because when something happens in one of the counties it affects the City. He agreed that the City must take a look at what is happening around them. Mr. O’Toole talked about the gateways and he thought the City has done a great job with Route 3, Cowan Boulevard and currently Fall Hill Avenue. He said it takes time and money to get there. He said he would not be against partnering on some of the projects but there must be a good business plan. Closed Meeting Approved. Upon the motion of Councilor Devine, seconded by Councilor Duffy and passed by the following recorded votes, Council approved a closed session for consultation with the City Attorney about the George Street project, under Virginia Code §2.2-3711(A)(7). Ayes (7) Councilors Greenlaw, Withers, Devine, Duffy, Ellis, Frye, and Kelly. Nays (0). Return to Open Meeting Approved. Upon the motion of Councilor Devine, seconded by Councilor Duffy and passed by the following recorded votes, Council approved a return to an open meeting. Ayes (7) Councilors Greenlaw, Withers, Devine, Duffy, Ellis, Frye, and Kelly. Nays (0). Resolution 15-82, Approved, Certifying Closed Meeting. Upon the motion Councilor Devine approved Resolution 15-82 certifying the closed meeting; seconded by 2 Councilor Duffy and passed by the following recorded votes. Ayes (7) Councilors Greenlaw, Withers, Devine, Duffy, Ellis, Frye, and Kelly. Nays (0). Adjournment. There being no further business to come before the Council at this time. Mayor Greenlaw declared the work session officially adjourned at 7:10. _____Tonya B. Lacey __ Tonya B. Lacey Clerk of Council City of Fredericksburg 3