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Public housing advocates urge Planning Commission to protect Black and brown communities as zoning changes move forward
Summary
During public comment at the Nov. 12 Planning Commission meeting, members of the Public Housing Association of Residents and student speakers told commissioners that proposed zoning amendments risk contributing to displacement and urged more protections for historically Black and brown neighborhoods.
Charlottesville — Public commenters at the Planning Commission’s Nov. 12 meeting asked the commission to center equity as it considers zoning text changes.
Sofia Marrero, a community organizer with the Public Housing Association of Residents, told the commission she had attended many meetings and urged planners to “push the changes to this zoning code, especially because they overlook historically black and brown communities.” Marrero also criticized pending luxury student housing development proposals as part of the context for her comments.
Neil Williams of Freedom Press Forum urged commissioners to consider the needs of property owners who have been preparing applications under the existing code and asked the commission to account for timing and implementation effects when proposing effective dates for amendments.
Joe Liang, a third‑year UBA student speaking for the Friends of Public Housing Association of Residents, echoed concerns that new development could accelerate gentrification and encroach on longstanding communities.
Chair (Speaker 3) acknowledged the comments and the commission directed staff to incorporate public input into draft amendments and to consider equity concerns as they refine language for future hearings.
The speakers’ remarks were part of the meeting’s public‑comment period; commissioners later spent most of the evening discussing technical text amendments.
