Commission bestows city planning awards

The Charlottesville Planning Commission gave out its eighth-annual Planning Awards on Tuesday, recognizing both residents and neighborhoods for their efforts to improve the city.

The Outstanding Neighborhood Effort Award went to the Meadowcreek Interceptor Landscape Plan. Several neighborhood organizations voiced concerns about the Meadow Creek Interceptor project and the potential loss of vegetation. The residents successfully lobbied the Rivanna Water & Sewer Authority to include supplementary landscaping along portions of the new sewer pipe.

The Oakhurst/Gilder-sleeve Wood neighborhood was named Neighborhood of the Year. The Planning Commission honored the neighborhood for being firm but open during a complicated bed-and-breakfast application, working with the developer to address residents’ concerns.

Grove Square was named Outstanding Plan of Development. The three-phase, mixed-use development includes pedestrian accommodations, underground parking and other features that won accolades from the Planning Commission.

Carla Mullen was honored as Citizen Planner of the Year after her concerns about a new accessory apartment adjacent to her home prompted a review of city regulations.

The Herman Key Jr. Access to the Disabled Award, named for a former planning commissioner and advocate for the disabled, went to Jefferson Park Avenue. The project features a ramp access to the top floor rather than having a handicapped-accessible unit only on the lowest floor.

Ebony Walden was named Neighborhood Development Services Staff Member of the Year for her detailed staff reports and for providing a wide range of choices and options to the Planning Commission. The commission saluted her for providing shepherding some of the most complicated projects in the city.

Outstanding Sustainable Development went to 208 Harman’s Mill Road. The commission called the Nimmo House an unusually successful example of how a historic house deemed unsalvageable can be revived in an economically and environmentally sustainable fashion.

Finally, Fred Wolf was named the Eldon Fields Wood Design Professional of the Year for his work in designing 1709 Jefferson Park Ave. and for serving as chairman of the Board of Architectural Review for the past three years. He will continue as chairman this coming year.

The Design Professional of the Year award is named for Eldon Wood, a former planning commissioner.