Charlottesville’s City Council rejected a proposal Tuesday that would have modified the development plan for the William Taylor Plaza mixed-used project at the corner of Cherry Avenue and Ridge Street.
The council voted 3-2 to reject changes proposed by the developer that would have expanded the project’s overall size and modified an affordable housing agreement included in the original plan. Mayor Dave Norris and Councilor Kristen Szakos voted in favor.
The rezoning application filed by Southern Development would have increased the number of residences from 50 to 80 units and expanded the project’s size by 10,000 square feet, bringing its total to 110,000 square feet.
Under the proposed changes, 30 units of affordable housing would have been incorporated into the project in lieu of a $253,000 cash payment from the developer dedicated to affordable housing.
The council followed a similar rejection by the city Planning Commission, which voted 4-2 on Feb. 8 to deny the developer’s rezoning application.
Some residents spoke out in favor Tuesday of the need for more affordable housing in the city, while others voiced opposition to the increased size of the development.
Councilor David Brown said the council should be careful about overturning the Planning Commission, and the developer had not offered a good reason to do so.
“I think affordable housing should come from the heart, and not for the need for low-income tax credits,” said Councilor Holly Edwards.
Szakos said she understands the fear of new development, but she sees reasons to support the project.
“I think that everybody wants affordable housing until it’s about to be built,” Szakos said.
The council indicated a willingness to work with the developer to improve the design in the future, and Norris made clear that Tuesday’s vote wasn’t a rejection of the project altogether.
“The question before us is not whether or not development should occur at William Taylor Plaza,” Norris said. “That question was settled in 2009.”
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