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286 <br /> <br />CSX. Hgusing <br /> <br /> Mr. O'Connell stated that staff have developed a draft <br />proposal on. how to proceed with CSX housing and have <br />suggested forming a committee (of 8 - 10 people, including <br />Belmont residents, a City Council Member and. a CIDA <br />representative), which would look at all options, brainstorm, <br />develop a consensus and oversee development of the site. <br /> <br /> Ms. Waters stated that a plan had previously been <br />approved for housing on the CSX property~ which was developed <br />after working closely with the Belmont neighborhood and <br />questioned why the entire plan was being look at again, <br />whether economics were driving the revisiting of the plan, <br />and asked what had changed to make the single family option <br />not feasible, if in fact that was the case. <br /> <br /> Rev. Edwards expressed concern about homes on Ridge <br />Street being converted into apartments and Mr. Vandever <br />~stated that the area was zoned R-3 and apartments were <br /> allowed by right. <br /> <br />NEIGHBORHOODS <br /> <br />Noise <br /> <br /> Mr. Vandever stated that he understood that some <br />problems he had previously discussed with enforcement of the <br />noise ordinance had been dealt with in the new noise <br />ordinance. Mr. Vandever expressed concern that there are <br />only two noise meters in operation and they are kept locked <br />up in the police department. Mr. Vandever also requested <br />that staff look into the Virginia Beach ordinance which <br />restricts noise in vehicles and the possibility of taking <br />action against property owners if renters continue to violate <br />the noise ordinance. <br /> <br /> Mr. Hendrix stated that he felt the problems identified <br />by Mr. Vandever could be dealt with administratively and <br />staff would follow up on his requests. <br /> <br />Boarded up Houses <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano stated that boarded up,houses continue to be <br />an issue of concern and asked when Council'would be provided <br />information on the City's efforts in this regard. <br /> <br /> Mr. Chapman stated that new administrative procedures <br />for dealing with boarded up houses have been given to the <br />City Attorney for review. .Mr. Chapman stated that there are <br />currently approximately 16 boarded up houses in the City. <br /> <br />Priority Neighborhood <br /> <br /> Mr. Hendrix stated that three years have been spent in <br />the Fifeville Neighborhood, noting that the original concept <br />of the use of Community Development Block Grant funds was to <br />focus on one neighborhood for three years. Mr. Hendrix <br />stated that Council needs to give direction for next year's <br />planning and recommended that Council consider spending <br />another year in Fifeville as pieces of infrastructure in the <br />neighborhood remain which will leave certain parts unchanged <br />and housing issues unresolved. Mr. Hendrix stated that he he <br />did not think the CDBG Task Force agreed with the <br />recommendation to spend an additional year in Fifeville. <br /> <br /> Mr. Chapman stated that a pre-designation assessment <br />should probably be done before a new neighborhood is <br />chosen. Mr. Chapman noted that the CDBG Task Force has <br />indicated that it feels a lack of control over expenditures, <br />especially with regard to the Neighborhood Task Force. <br /> <br /> <br />