Inquiry to Planning Commission: Tredegar Green Amphitheater

March 13, 2014

RE: Planning Commission March 17 2014 Agenda Item #10. Location, Character and Extent: Final review of the portion of the Tredegar Green Amphitheater proposed for City property, 344 Tredegar Street.

Dear Commission Members,

How can you in good conscience conclude that this application is “substantially in accord with” the city’s master plan?

The record shows that:

1 RESHAPING THE SITE IS UNNECESSARY.
•    Lower site: functional; used as stage venue for years.
•    Upper site: functional; stand and see, sit and listen.

2 RESHAPING THE CANAL IS UNNECESSARY.
•    Trail: Belongs beside north bank with existing trail.
•    Safety: Keep pedestrians off canal.
•    Maintenance: Follow National Park Service BMPs.

3 RESHAPING THE CANAL BERM IS UNNECESSARY.
•    Safety and maintenance: see #2.
•    View: see #1.
•    Enhanced view: Option D; raise stage, fill upper site.

4 EXISTING BERM IS PRESUMED AUTHENTIC.
•    No evidence of post canal period modification.
•    Theories of modification are speculation.

5 EXISTING BERM AND RAILWAY ARE HISTORIC.
•    Features meet multiple National Register criteria.

6 MASTER PLAN SEEKS TO PRESERVE AND PROMOTE HISTORIC ASSETS.

7 HISTORIC PRESERVATION OUTWEIGHS APPLICANT’S PREFERENCES.

Thank you,

C. Wayne Taylor, Publisher
City Hall Review, LLC
www.CityHallReview.com

Option D

North Bank Trail Illustration

George Washington’s Canal Illustration