University of Virginia Library

Planning Commission Hears Disapproval
Of University Avenue Widening Plan

By CINDI STUART

CD/Larry Mann

CLOUD COVER—

Clouds, everpresent in the
Charlottesville area, accompany students on
their early morning walks to class and
late-afternoon journeys home. Many times
they dump their damp deposits of rain which
flood the Grounds and drown the best-laid
plans of men and football players. Unlike the
birds of Charlottesville, the clouds do not
depart for sunnier, warmer shores during the
winter, but tend to congregate above the city
after their long, strenuous climb over the Blue
Ridge Mountains.

A large, diverse turnout
from the Charlottesville
community met last night in a
heated discussion with the City
Planning Commission to
consider the widening of
University Avenue to four
lanes.

Bill Huyett, Student
Council secretary and Bicycle
subcommittee member, told
the Commission of Council's
unanimous decision last night
to oppose widening the
Avenue. He said Council has
"always opposed the creation
of both a physical divide and a
sense of divide within Mr.
Jefferson's community."

Mr. Huyett further
proposed that the plan does
not "serve the large flow of
bicycle and pedestrian traffic
that is essential" to the safety
of University students.

Commission Only Advises

The meeting was opened by
Chairman Virginia B. Schatz,
who emphasized that the
Planning Commission acts as an
advisory group for the City
Council, but does not make the
final decisions.

The Charlottesville
community was
well-represented by students
and faculty. Downtown and
Corner merchants, and lovers
of the historic and the
aesthetic.

Gary Pavis, a member of
Delta Tau Delta fraternity,
suggested widening Preston
Avenue rather than University
Avenue, saying the latter
would "sever relations between
the University students and
members of Charlottesville.

"It is surprising," he
continued, "that when the
Rotunda is being restored, the
environment surrounding it is
being destroyed." Delta Tau
Delta President R. J. Kohler
also showed concern for the
University environment. "We
don't want eight feet of our
front yard and the state trees
torn down for a flashing don't
walk sign."

St. George Tucker, Phi
Kappa Psi member and
frequenter of the Madison
Lane- University Avenue
intersection, emphasized that
the increase of University
Avenue from two to four lanes
would increase the pedestrian
hazards that already exist.
"The whole thing is a farce. I
think we ought to close Main
Street altogether," he said.

Traffic Expert

After extended debate on
the many reasons to oppose
widening the avenue, Hugo A.
Malanga, city traffic engineer
who studied the problem for
the Commission, tried to clear
up the misunderstandings he
believed were present. He
denied there are two peak
times of traffic congestion of
University Avenue, and said
that the future width of
University Avenue would be no
wider than its present widest
portion: that across from the
Out-Patient Clinic. Mr. Malanga
also stressed that most of the
traffic in the area is
locally-oriented.

Much of the discussion
centered on the parking
problem. Merchants showed
concern that customers
would move too quickly to
stop and buy.

If last night's turnout is
truly representative of
concerned citizens of the
community, the widening of
University Avenue will be
overwhelmingly defeated in
favor of preserving the beauty
of Mr. Jefferson's community.