To: Mayor David Brown; Vice Mayor Kevin Lynch; City Council Members 
Blake Caravati, Kendra Hamilton, Rob Schilling; City Manager Gary 
O'Connell
P.O. Box 911
Charlottesville, VA 22902

25 July 2005

Dear ___________:
     We want you to know from an on-the-ground perspective what is 
happening in our neighborhood right now. As you can see in the 
accompanying real estate advertisement and keyed tax map, our Fry's 
Spring community is under siege.
     One, the 188-unit Cherry Avenue PUD will be breaking ground in 
the next few months. While it has passed through a series of board 
reviews, no serious public consideration has been given to its impact 
on the water, traffic, pedestrian safety, or quality of life for the 
existing residents. If you review the minutes, you will see that 
concerted community objections were disregarded by the planning 
commission.
     Two, a large parcel at the end of Hill Street that encompasses 
the ravine between Hill and Shamrock Avenue, was recently sold to 
Thomas Hickman, the developer of the Stribling Avenue site.
     Three, a  property at 212 Raymond Avenue is being marketed with 
an open invitation to developers.
     Four, the Jefferson Park Avenue railroad bridge will be closed 
for reconstruction. Traffic in and out of our neighborhood will be 
seriously disrupted. Current plans also call for the permanent 
closing of Todd Avenue, which can only aggravate congestion, impede 
police, ambulances and fire engines, and imperil those who live here.
     Fry's Spring is marketed and exploited as convenient to UVA. We 
are not extended the protections of designated University neighborhoods.
     Our taxes pay the salary of a full-time director of Neighborhood 
Development Services, who shepherds developers' projects through the 
city's approval process.
     Who on the City Council, on the Zoning Boards or Planning 
Commission, speaks up for those of us who live here?
     Does it make sense to implement planning by driving up real 
estate assessments and driving out current residents? We pay for 
those profits realized by the seller, and by the developer, in taxes 
and in quality of life.
     Is this what is meant by the “Master Plan?” If so, it is failing 
us. Just look at the traffic that doesn't flow, and ask where all the 
new vehicles that accompany your in-fill developments are going.
     When will you come to Fry's Spring, and see for yourself?

Sincerely yours,

Andrea K and Laurance Wieder
2331 Highland Avenue
Charlottesville, VA 22903-3613
434 295 5057
mosesmuses@adelphia.net