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120 <br /> <br /> Dr. Kathleen Free, 400 West High Street, said that she and her husband plan to <br />use the house as a home office. She is a psychologist and he is a physician. Ms. Free <br />explained that a final survey of the property showed the property line at a different <br />location than originally believed. <br /> <br />As there were no further speakers, the public hearing was closed. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Mr~ Caravati, Mr. Ron Higgins, Acting Director of <br />Community Development, said that the property is zoned R-3 and can be operated as a <br />home business as long as it is home occupied. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox asked if there will be a need for a drop-off for handicapped persons, and <br />Dr. Free said that while fewer than 5% of their clients are handicapped, there will be <br />handicapped-accessible parking as well as a handicapped accessible restroom. <br /> <br /> On motion by Mr. Toscano, seconded by Mr. Cox, the ordinance entitled "AN <br />ORDINANCE TO AUTHORIZE CONVEYANCE OF A PORTION OF THE WEST <br />HIGH STREET RIGHT-OF-WAY TO DR. KATHLEEN FREE" was offered and carded <br />over to the next meeting for consideration. <br /> <br />RESOLUTION: APPROVING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT <br />AND HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES MADE EQUAL (HOME) FUNDS (FY 99-00), <br />AND ACTION PLAN OF THE CONSOLIDATED PLAN <br /> <br /> Ms, Claudette Grant, Grants Administrator in the Department of Community <br />Development, said that the Council and Planning Commission held a joint public hearing <br />on the CDBG and HOME funds on April 5th. The Community Development Block Grant <br />Task Force and Planning Commission recommended approval of the programs as <br />presented at the April 5u~ public hearing. Ms. Grant explained that this is the 5u~ year of <br />the Action Plan of the Consolidated Plan which addresses CDBG and HOME funding. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati asked if any projects are proposed for rehabilitation of substandard <br />rental housing as referenced in the Action Plan, and Ms. Grant replied that no such <br />projects are proposed. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati asked that more information on coding in the Action Plan be <br />provided in the future. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said that he would like to explore using CDBG funds to upgrade <br />substandard rental houses on Ridge Street, in particular, in the future. Mr. Cox said he <br />shares the Ridge Street Neighborhood Task Force's support for sidewalks if that is their <br />priority. Mr. Cox said that he feels the estimate for the retaining walls are low and he <br />hopes that estimates will be gotten for stone and brick walls as well as concrete block, <br />adding that there is no precedent for using concrete block in the Ridge Street <br />neighborhood. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano said that the goals of the Action Plan continue from year to year, and <br />he questioned whether they should remain the same. Mr. Toscano said that if it is a <br />genuine consolidated plan for all jurisdictions, should funds go to those localities that do <br />not meet their goals. Mr. Toscano noted that CDBG funds were supplemented with other <br />funds in the Belmont neighborhood, and asked that the information on this be sent to the <br />Belmont Neighborhood Association. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said he thinks it is good that Belmont continues to receive CDBG funds <br />even though they will no longer be the targeted neighborhood. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards, referring to the Action Plan, said that Charlottesville, which is an <br />entitlement community, contributes to the Thomas Jefferson Planning District <br />Commission's abilky to drawn down funds. Ms. Richards said that it is typical for <br />localities in the district to refer people to Charlottesville for affordable housing, Ms. <br />Richards said that localities that have affordable housing priorities do not list any projects <br /> <br /> <br />