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98 <br /> <br />donate the house to the Midway Housing Development Corp., <br />noting that the property has been vacant for years, on the <br />condition that the funds in the housebank program be reduced <br />by the amount of the value of the property. Ms. Slaughter <br />seconded the motion. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano noted that a replacement reserve is part of <br />the proposed budget for the stepping stone house which will <br />be used for upkeep of the ~property and that the property will <br />revert back to the City if the project fails. <br /> <br /> Responding to questions from Mr. <Vandever, Mr. Newman <br />stated that one method of evaluating success of the program <br />will be a reduction in the amount of debt owed by the tenants <br />and the Foundation will take ultimate responsibility for the <br />maintenance of the property, but the program will also teach <br />the tenants to be responsible. <br /> <br /> The ordinance conveying the property at 315 9th Street, <br />S.W. to the Midway Housing Development Corporation was <br />offered and carried over to the next meeting for <br />consideration. <br /> <br />REQUEST: HABITAT FOR HUMANITY <br /> <br /> Mr. O'Connell explained that City staff have been <br />identifying City owned properties and have been working with <br />housing groups regarding possibilities for use of the <br />property. <br /> <br /> Mr. Wellford Tiller, President of the Board for Habitat <br />for Humanity, stated that Habitat is new to the <br />Charlottesville community but has been well established in <br />other parts of the country, and uses volunteer labor to build <br />houses to sell to eligible families. Mr. Tiller stated that <br />no interest is charged and the property is sold at no profit <br />to Habitat. Mr. Tiller stated that restrictions on profits <br />on the sale of the property by the families is written into <br />the sales contract and the families are required to provide <br />volunteer hours for Habitat. Mr. Tiller requested that the <br />City donate the vacant property at the corner of Elliott <br />Avenue and Avon Street. <br /> <br /> Mr..Toscano raised questions about the design of the <br />houses and Mr. Bruce Wardell, a member of Habitat's advisory <br />committee, replied that only. preliminary designs are <br />available, but Habitat will incorporate the design of the <br />adjacent neighborhood into the design. <br /> <br /> Mr. Frederick Schmidt of 312 Chestnut Street, president <br />of the Belmont Neighborhood Association, stated that he has <br />polled the Belmont Board and adjacent neighbors and has <br />received a positive response to the Habitat proposal. <br /> <br /> Mr. Tiller stated that the organization's philosophy is <br />not to take government funds, but they will accept land <br />donations. <br /> <br /> Ms. Slaughter made a motion to approve the Habitat <br />request, adding that she welcomed the program to the <br />community. Mr. Toscano seconded the motion and the ordinance <br />conveying property to Habitat for Humanity was offered and <br />carried over to the next meeting for consideration. <br /> <br />STAFF REPORT: CSX HOUSING PROJECT <br /> <br /> Mr. Hendrix explained that a portion of the CSX property <br />which is owned by the Charlottesville Industrial Development <br />Authority, has been designated for single family housing to <br />be developed by the private sector, with a maximum selling <br />price of $75,000 and guidance is needed from Council as to <br />how to proceed with the project and whether there are any <br />constraints to be considered. Mr. Hendrix noted that some <br /> <br /> <br />