CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA
                 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA



 Agenda Date:         March 6, 2023

 Action Required:     Consideration of an application for a Critical Slope Waiver

 Presenter:           Matthew Alfele, City Planner

 Staff Contacts:      Matthew Alfele, City Planner

 Title:               Considering a Critical Slope Waiver Application request at 1000 Cherry
                      Avenue (Buford Middle School) (1 reading)


Background
Michael Goddard, City of Charlottesville Facilities Development Manager is requesting a waiver from
Section 34-112(b) of the City’s Critical Slope Ordinance as part of the renovations and
reconfiguration to Buford Middle School. The City is in the process of upgrading the public education
facilities and infrastructure on the campus of Buford Middle School, The Boys and Girls Club, and
Smith Aquatic Center. This is a multiyear project that will be phased dependent on funding. As part of
the renovations, disturbance to Critical Slopes around the athletic field will be required.

Discussion
The Planning Commission held a hybrid virtual and in-person meeting on February 14, 2023 where
this item was on the consent agenda. Planning Commission passed the consent agenda and
amended the recommendation of approval to include staff’s condition that the applicant work with the
City’s Urban Forester on tree preservation and replanting.

Staff note: A recording of the meeting can be found at the following link. Passage of the consent
agenda starts at the 00:37:30 mark.
Link to Planning Commission Recording

Staff note: The full application for this project can be found at the following link. Materials start on
page 5.
Link to Staff Report and background materials

Alignment with City Council's Vision and Strategic Plan
If City Council approves the Critical Slope Waiver Application, the project could contribute to Goal 3:
A Beautiful and Sustainable Natural and Built Environment, 3.1 Engage in robust and context
sensitive urban planning and implementation.

Community Engagement
Under the City’s Zoning Code, a Critical Slope Waiver Application does not require a Public Hearing
or community engagement meeting. However, the applicant has done community engagement for
this project through other methods, such as meetings related to the redevelopment and expansion of
Buford Middle School. In addition, a Site Plan Conference for this project was held on January 4,
2023, and six members of the public attended.

Budgetary Impact
This waiver request has no impact on the General Fund.

Recommendation
The Planning Commission voted 6-0 to recommend the application be approved.

“Suggested motion: “I move the RESOLUTION granting a Critical Slope Waiver for Property located
1000 Cherry Avenue City Tax Map Parcels 230192000.” with one condition.

Alternatives
City Council may deny or indefinitely defer the requested Critical Slope Waiver:

(1)   Denial: “I move to deny the Critical Slope Waiver requested with application P22-0132”
(2)   Deferral: “I move to defer Council action on Critical Slope Waiver P22-132”

Attachments
1.   Buford_Middle_School_CS_RES_3_6_23