AGENDA DATE: 3/19/2025
TITLE:
Title
Schedule a Public Hearing for Spot Blight Ordinance for 50 Churchill Lane, Parcel ID 07400-00-00-08200
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Schedule a Public Hearing for Spot Blight Ordinance for 50 Churchill Lane, Parcel ID 07400-00-00-08200
ITEM TYPE: Consent Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Wall, Herrick, Filardo, Svoboda, Green, Boone
PRESENTER (S): Jalen Boone, Lisa Green
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: Blighted and deteriorated properties can have negative safety, economic, and environmental impacts on properties and neighborhoods, resulting in unsafe communities and other public nuisances.
"Blighted property" is defined as a structure or improvement that is dilapidated or deteriorated because it violates minimum health and safety standards (Virginia Code § 36-3). Though blight is more often considered in the context of Development Areas, it exists also in the Rural Area.
The Community Development Department (CDD) currently administers several regulations that relate to blight and building maintenance: uncontrolled vegetation (County Code § 7-501 et seq.), stagnant water (County Code § 7-505 et seq.), inoperable vehicles (County Code § 9-500), trash and refuse (County Code § 13-302), safety/health-related upkeep of residential rental properties (Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC) § 104.1), unsafe buildings and structures (County Code § 5-300 et seq.), and Zoning Ordinance provisions that prohibit junk yards (County Code § 18-5.1.10).
The current item is to request the scheduling of a public hearing on a spot blight ordinance for 50 Churchill Lane (Parcel ID 07400-00-00-08200) (Attachment A) in keeping with existing practice and Board direction. Staff identified this property as a “blighted property,” and initiated the required steps to abate the identified blight. Specifically, the Community Development Director, as the designee of the County Executive, made a preliminary determination that the property was blighted and sent notice to the property owners specifying the reasons why the property was blighted. Because the property owners failed to respond within 30 days with a written spot blight abatement plan acceptable to the County Executive’s designee, staff is requesting that the Board schedule and advertise a future public hearing to consider an ordinance declaring this property to be blighted.
Staff has engaged with the property owner on an abatement plan that includes the following items to be corrected by the owner: “The work is to include the razing of the structures and associated site work, removal of debris to an authorized facility, and grading/seeding the disturbed area.”
If the Board authorizes a public hearing, staff will generate the necessary information, including a cost estimate for this work. In addition, CDD will work with the Department of Finance and Budget on a funding source and recommendation.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Safety & Well-being - Nurture a safe and healthy community.
DISCUSSION: This agenda item, if approved, authorizes the scheduling of a public hearing on a spot blight ordinance for 50 Churchill Lane, Parcel ID 07400-00-00-08200.
BUDGET IMPACT: Abatement costs for 50 Churchill Lane, Parcel ID 07400-00-00-08200 will be presented at the public hearing, if a public hearing is approved.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Board authorize a public hearing on a spot blight abatement ordinance for 50 Churchill Lane, Parcel ID 07400-00-00-08200.
ATTACHMENTS:
A - Vicinity Map - 50 Churchill Lane
B - Property Conditions - 50 Churchill Lane