After getting a recommendation from the Planning Commission, Woodard Properties’ proposed Cherry Avenue development went before the Charlottesville City Council on September 5. The proposal includes affordable housing, space for local nonprofits, and was created with input from the Fifeville Neighborhood Association.
Located at the site of the former Estes IGA grocery store across from Tonsler Park, the proposed development would include a four-story apartment complex with 60 to 70 units of housing and approximately 24,400 square feet of commercial space. Included in that commercial space are spots for local nonprofits Twice is Nice and the Music Resource Center.
Before work can start, Woodard Properties needs City Council to approve a change in zoning for the area and a special use permit application.
Under the proposal, zoning would change from Residential Small Lot and Residential Mixed Use to Commercial B3 zoning with proffers. The proffers include commitments to affordable housing through a partnership with the Piedmont Housing Alliance, nonprofit spaces, possible space for a grocery store, land use and building height restrictions, and a restriction to ensure mixed usage. The special use permit application would increase the allowed density from 21 to 87 dwelling units per acre and modify setbacks and parking requirements.
While city councilors and the Planning Commission now seem optimistic about the development, it took substantial revision for the project to gain widespread support.
When Woodard Properties introduced its original plan in March, Fifeville community members and city leaders were concerned about the limited amount of affordable housing, size of buildings, location of buildings, and traffic impact of the development. Under the original proposal, only five units would have been designated affordable housing for those earning less than 60 percent of area median income.
After consulting with community members and the Fifeville Neighborhood Association, Woodard Properties introduced the second version of the development plan at an August 8 Planning Commission meeting.
Though elements of the original proposal remain, the new version includes an updated traffic plan, reduced building heights, buildings further back off of Cherry Avenue and residential properties, and a comprehensive memorandum of understanding signed by Woodard Properties, PHA, and FNA setting guidelines for affordable housing.
Under the memorandum of understanding, all of the proposed units would be affordable.
“I think it’s a great project … I think the folks from [the Woodard team] show creativity in trying to find a solution that checks a lot of boxes. I’m grateful as well for PHA and their willingness to step up and be a partner in this,” said Councilor Brian Pinkston. “Goes to show what you can do when you’ve got good intent and you’re really willing to roll up your sleeves and try to find something that works. I would love to see this on the consent agenda.”
Despite the high level of support for the project, some community members remain skeptical, especially given the non-binding nature of the memorandum of understanding.
Editor’s note: The original version of this story said that, “the proposed development would include a four-story apartment complex with 118 units of housing.” The correct number of units is 60 to 70.