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202 <br /> <br />Strategies," and including a city-wide land use plan map dated July 3, 1995 as presented by <br />the Department of Community Development and approved by the Planning Commission to be <br />printed as an insert to such document, are hereby adopted as the official Comprehensive Plan <br />of the City, pursuant to Article 4 of Chapter 11 (Section 15.1-446.1~ et seq.) of the Code of <br />Virginia, 1950, as amended. Such sections shall have the full force and effect conferred upon <br />comprehensive plans by such article and other provisions of general law. <br /> <br /> (2) The remaining sections of such document shall not be deemed to be part of the <br />official Comprehensive Plan of the City, but shall be considered as supplemental statements <br />of background data, existing and anticipated future conditions and policy considerations for <br />general reference by t he Cit_¥ Council, City administration, boards, conu~ssions and agencies <br />in planning and making decisions affecting those matters which are the subiect of such <br />supplemental statements. <br /> <br />ORDINANCE: 3RD STREET MALL IMPRO¥~MENTS ASSESSMENTS <br /> <br /> Mr. O'Connell explained that the ordinance would impose final assessments on property <br />owners for the 3rd Street/Mall improvements done in partnership between the City and <br />adiacent property owners. The property, owners will be given up to ten years to pay the <br />assessment. <br /> <br />Mr. Toscano asked if there were any comments from the public but there were none. <br /> <br /> On motion by Ms. Slaughter, seconded by Mr. Vandever, the ordinance entitled "AN <br />ORDINANCE AFFIRMING THE CREATION OF A SPECIAL ASSESSMENT <br />DISTRICT PURSUANT TO VIRGINIA CODE SECTIONS 15.1-239, et. seq., <br />ESTABLISHING THE PORTION OF PROJECT COSTS TO BE LE¥2ED AS AN <br />ASSESSMENT ON THE PROPERTIES IN SUCH DISTRICT; RECITING THE <br />FINDINGS OF CITY COUNCIL IN REGARD TO TI~ BENEFITS ACCRUING TO <br />PROPERTIES WITHIN SAID DISTRICT; ESTABLiSHiNG THE AMOUNT OF THE <br />ASSESSMENT TO BE LEVIED ON EACH SUCH PROPERTY; LEVX~ t~NG SAID <br />ASSESSMENTS AND PROVIDING FOR THE Ti2dE, MANNER AND TERMS OF THE <br />COLLECTION THEKEOF'~ was offered and carried over to the next meeting for <br />consideration. <br /> <br />PUBLIC <br /> <br /> Col. William L. Spicuzza, co-owner of FoodWorks at 1 t4 4th Street, N.E.~ stated that <br />he has received notice to remove a sign advertising the business and doing so has resulted in a <br />33% decline in business since the sign was removed. Mr. Spicuzza asked that the locator <br />map on the downtown mall be updated~ that signs be allowed by permit, and that a 60-day <br />moratorium on the removal of the signs be approved b5~ Council, subject to a City-approved <br />sign on the mall by permit. <br /> <br /> Mr~ Toscano stated that he will take Mr. Spicuzza's suggestions into consideration and <br />would like to hear staffs comments. <br /> <br />Ms. Slaughter stated that she would like to see better locator signs on the mall. <br /> <br /> Ms. Elizabeth Herka, owner of the Cat House on 5th Street, S.E., expressed agreement <br />with Mr. Spicuzza's suggestions, and noted that her business has dropped 40% since her sign <br />has been removed. <br /> <br /> Ms. Daugherty expressed concern about the toss of business for the merchants at a time <br />when tourists are being lured downtown and made a motion to impose a 60-day moratorium <br />on the sign removal. Mr~ Vandever seconded the motion. <br /> <br /> Ms. Slaughter'spoke in opposition to the moratorium because she does not th_imk it is <br />legal in Virginia to~imp6se;such a moratorium, and she thinks it is wrong not to enforce a <br /> <br /> <br />