City Council is embroiled in a debate over the Meadowcreek Parkway, a controversial issue that has dragged on for over 30 years, pitting city transportation concerns against environmental activists and those opposed to "city sprawl."
The Meadowcreek Parkway would be a two-mile road between Rio Road in Albemarle and Charlottesville's Route 250 bypass.
The Virginia Dept. of Transportation (VDOT) first brought the idea for the parkway to the city in 1967 as a means to improve access to downtown Charlottesville. Now the proposed plan is entering the final stages of implementation.
During the last term, City Council voted 3-2 in favor of the parkway. One of the supporters, former Councilwoman Virginia Daugherty, who also was a city mayor, retired at the end of last term. Kevin Lynch, a vocal critic of the parkway, replaced her.
It seemed the addition of Lynch possibly would stop the creation of the parkway. But current Mayor Blake Caravati, who originally was against the parkway, now supports it, thus keeping the issue alive.
Now the controversy rests on how the parkway should be designed, with councilors divided on the issue.
Council is sifting through various plans that call for between two and four lanes and differing speed limits on the road. Council also is keeping in mind the effect the road would have on McIntire Park.
Councilman David Toscano, a parkway supporter, said current plans call for a "two-lane, low speed design scheme. It will fit more into the park and be more like a parkway and not a highway."
Toscano said he thinks the parkway will support the downtown neighborhood and the city regional transit system.
Lynch, on the other hand, expressed reservations about the parkway design.
"I've been against the parkway and still am against it," he said, adding that he felt the parkway would cut up McIntire Park and would have a negative impact on traffic in neighborhoods.
Lynch said he only would support the parkway if Council members approve a list of criteria he thinks would benefit the city, such as adding land to McIntire Park.
Some parkway supporters expressed criticism toward Lynch's desires, saying Lynch seeks to make the parkway impossible to implement.
Lynch said such accusations are false and that he is putting a "good faith" effort toward the parkway.
Toscano said he thinks opponents may eventually defeat the parkway issue later in the term.
"If we vote the road down, [Council should] get it over with instead of dragging it out," he said. "I think the taxpayers deserve better than that."
Councilors Meredith Richards and Maurice Cox also have weighed in on the parkway issue, with Richards in favor of and Cox against the parkway.
If the city finishes its plans for the parkway, the County of Albemarle and VDOT also will have to approve the plan before the parkway is built.
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