University of Virginia Library

Mayor Stresses City's Inability
To Adequately Handle Growth

By RICHARD JONES

Photo by Andy Stickney

Students Respond to Lawn's Relaxing Surroundings

This couple takes a break to enjoy each other's company

Mitchell Van Yahres, mayor of
Charlottesville, said yesterday that "the
city cannot adequately handle the
housing problem."

"I don't think we are handling our
present population," he added.

Chris Kerr, College representative to
the Student Council, and Phil Chabot,
chairman of the Council Committee on
Expansion, arranged a meeting with the mayor
to "discuss the effects of expansion at the
University on the city."

Acknowledging that expansion "involves the
city very much," the mayor pointed out
specific problems in housing and traffic in the
city. He added that "anything the University
does affects us."

Mr. Van Yahres stated that "around noon or
5 p.m., it's almost impossible to go around
town. It's all due to student increases." He used
the intersection at Emmet Street and Route
250 West as an example, which he said "we all
recognize as what is the worst corner in
Charlottesville."

However, the mayor did say that
"expansion brings benefits to the city." He
added that there were more positive aspects to
pointed out the result in a higher level of
employment.

Concerning communications with the
University, Mr. Van Yahres said that he hopes
to "establish communications with the
University and County." There is no formal
board for communications but "we are having
meetings in the near future," he said.

The mayor also said that "we haven't had
close co-operation in the past."

Mr. Van Yahres noted that the University
planned Deerpath Road without consulting the
city.

He stated that "when we plan something,
we should be in close contact with the
University." He continued to say that "we have
to know very early what they are planning"
because we have to design facilities and utilities
to handle this."

Mr. Chabot said that "the University
automatically assumes that the city will support
whatever the University plans to do." He added
that "we are trying to show that this had not
happened."

In response, the mayor said that it has not
happened. He said that "the city is making
efforts in this direction. We are spending
$25,000 a year additional now with a traffic
engineer."