2005-02-22 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

4 PROPERTIES VALUED AT MORE THAN $350,000 INELIGIBLE FOR CERTAIN TAX EXEMPTIONS; TO EXTEND THE ORDINANCE'S SUNSET CLAUSE FROM 2006 TO 2007; AND TO PROVIDE FOR AN ANNUAL REVIEW OF THE ORDINANCE BY CITY COUNCIL" (2nd reading) PUBLIC HEARING/ORDINANCE: CHANGING POLLING PLACE IN JEFFERSON PARK PRECINCT TO CARTER FAMILY LIFE CENTER ON CHERRY AVENUE Ms. Sheri Iachetta, Voter Registrar, explained that it is a requirement that the Department of Rehabilitative Services inspect all polling places for accessibility. She said that many of the deficiencies they identified were remedied. She said that Fry's Spring was identified as having the most deficiencies which would have been difficult to remedy so a search for another polling place was initiated. She said that all options were toured and the Family Life Center was identified as the best suited. She said it is centrally located within the precinct and has complete support of the church. The public hearing was opened, but as there were no speakers, the public hearing was closed. Mr. Lynch said he appreciates the information provided and thinks a strong case has been made to relocate the polling place. Mr. Lynch thanked the church for allowing use of the building. On motion by Mr. Lynch, seconded by Mr. Schilling the ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE AMENDING AND REORDAINING CHAPTER 9 (ELECTIONS), ARTICLE II, SECTION 9-29 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF CHARLOTTESVILLE, 1990, AS AMENDED, RELOCATING THE POLLING PLACE FOR THE JEFFERSON PARK PRECINCT TO THE CARTER FAMILY LIFE CENTER ON CHERRY AVENUE" was offered and carried over to the next meeting for consideration. PUBLIC HEARING/ORDINANCE: CONVEYANCE OF SURPLUS CITY LOTS (1230 HOLMES AVENUE, 1232 HOLMES AVENUE, 5TH AND BERRING STREET Mr. Ron Higgins, Planner in Neighborhood Development Services, explained that Council had asked that staff look at surplus City lots to see if they could be used for single family affordable housing. He said that two lots on Holmes Avenue and one on 5th Street Extended were identified as suitable. He said that Habitat for Humanity has made an effort to work with both neighborhoods on the design of the houses. He said the Ridge Street neighborhood is pleased with the proposed design, but concern remains with Holmes Avenue residents about the design proposed there. Mr. Higgins said that the City cannot directly donate the land to Habitat, so Piedmont Housing Alliance has agreed to receive the property and have Habitat develop the housing. Mr. Higgins said that options available to Council are to do nothing, donate the lots to PHA, sell the lots to Habitat, or sell the lots at market rate to a private developer. Responding to a question from Mr. Schilling, Mr. Brown said that the State statute that allows the City to donate land to non-profit organizations specifically excludes those associations controlled by church or sectarian societies. He said Habitat is a Christian organization. He said that as a result of concern about this, the General Assembly has added Habitat to the list of organizations to which land can be donated, so as of July 1 this obstacle will be removed. Mr. Overton McGee, Director of Habitat for Humanity, said that he hopes Council will view this proposal as an investment in affordable housing. He said that if the houses are sold the money will go back to the City or PHA for other affordable housing. He said that the Holmes Avenue residents had some concerns that the Habitat houses might hurt their property values. He said he is willing to build what neighbors want with some constraints. He said he believes there will be no adverse impact on property values. He said there will be protections in the deed regarding exterior maintenance of the houses and yard. In response to concerns expressed about the long- term affordability of the houses to the families who will own them, he said longer term