AGENDA DATE: 11/2/2016
TITLE:
Title
Spot Blight Ordinance for 2514 Smithfield Road
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Schedule a public hearing to consider adopting a spot-blight ordinance for 2514 Smithfield Road
ITEM TYPE: Regular Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Foley, Walker, Kamptner, Herrick, Graham, Abplanalp, Schlothauer
PRESENTER (S): N/A
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Thomas C. Foley
BACKGROUND: The Board has expressed growing concern over the condition of certain properties in aging urban areas of the County. On April 6, 2016, the Board directed staff to begin addressing problem properties using the County’s spot blight abatement authority under Code of Virginia § 36-49.1:1. County staff has identified the property at 2514 Smithfield Road (Tax Map Parcel 060D0-00-0F-00700) as a “blighted property,” and has initiated the required steps to abate the identified blight. Specifically, as the County Executive’s designee, the County Building Official made a preliminary determination that the property was blighted, and sent notice to the property owners specifying the reasons why the property was blighted (Attachment A). Because the property owners failed to respond within 30 days with a written spot blight abatement plan acceptable to the County Executive, County staff is now requesting that the Board adopt an ordinance declaring the property as blighted (Attachment B). Under Virginia Code § 36-49.1:1(D), no spot blight abatement plan prepared by the County may be effective until an ordinance declaring the property as blighted has been adopted by the Board.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Development Areas: Attract quality employment, commercial, and high density residential uses into development areas by providing services and infrastructure that encourage redevelopment and private investment while protecting the quality of neighborhoods. Explore and develop strategies designed to revitalize aging urban areas, focusing on existing neighborhoods and redevelopment possibilities.
DISCUSSION: The attached photographs (Attachment C) show the blighted conditions at 2514 Smithfield Road that led to the Building Official’s preliminary determination of blight. The County’s Facilities and Environmental Services Department has since prepared a spot blight abatement plan with at least two options (Attachment D), which can be considered at a public hearing.
BUDGET IMPACT: Any abatement costs (as outlined in Attachment D) must be appropriated by the Board. If the ordinance is adopted, the County will have a lien on all property repaired or acquired under an approved spot blight abatement plan to recover the cost of improvements to bring the blighted property into compliance with applicable building codes.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Board schedule and advertise a public hearing in January 2017 to consider an ordinance declaring 2514 Smithfield Road as blighted, enabling work to proceed under an approved spot blight abatement plan.
ATTACHMENTS:
A - Preliminary Determination
B - Proposed Ordinance
C - Property Photos
D - Abatement Plan