AGENDA DATE: 8/20/2025
TITLE:
Title
Spot Blight Declaration - 2632 Hydraulic Road, Parcel ID 06100-00-00-041I0 (Jack Jouett District)
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Adoption of a spot blight ordinance for 2632 Hydraulic Road
ITEM TYPE: Regular Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Wall, Herrick, Tevendale, Filardo, Svoboda, Green, Boone
PRESENTER (S): Jalen Boone
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: The presence of blighted and deteriorated properties can have negative economic and environmental impacts on properties and neighborhoods, resulting in unsafe communities and other public nuisances.
On March 19, 2025, the Board of Supervisors approved the scheduling of a public hearing to consider adoption of a spot blight ordinance for 2632 Hydraulic Road, Parcel ID 06100-00-00-041I0, in the Jack Jouett District. A map is provided as Attachment A and property photos are provided as Attachment B.
Staff received a complaint regarding the conditions of this property and determined through an investigation that the house is uninhabited and unsafe. Staff then initiated the spot blight abatement process, as outlined below.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Safety & Well-Being - Nurture a safe and healthy community.
DISCUSSION: As the County Executive’s designee, the Community Development Director made a preliminary determination (Attachment C) that the property was blighted and sent notice to the property owner of the reasons supporting this preliminary determination:
1) The structure is open, allowing the entry of exterior elements, such as weather and animals, which are detrimental to the health, safety, and welfare of the public.
2) The structure is falling down and unsafe and therefore detrimental to the health, safety and welfare of the public and emergency responders.
The County requested an abatement plan from the owner. Pursuant to Virginia Code § 36-49.1:1 (Attachment D), the property owner had 30 days to respond in writing. Because the property owner did not respond within 30 days with a written abatement plan acceptable to the County, staff recommended that the Board schedule a public hearing to consider an ordinance declaring this property to be blighted. Staff engaged with the property owner to summarize the items to be corrected in the County-generated Abatement Plan (Attachment E).
Staff has developed a scope of work to implement the abatement plan, including razing the structures and associated site work.
BUDGET IMPACT: The estimated total cost of the County’s abatement plan is approximately $30,000 (Attachment F). Approximately $56,541 remains in the Community Development Department’s budget line item allocated to spot blight remediation.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends the Board adopt an ordinance (Attachment G) declaring this property blighted and authorizing staff to implement the County’s abatement plan.
ATTACHMENTS:
A - Vicinity Map - 2632 Hydraulic Road
B - Property Photos
C - Preliminary Determination
D - Applicable Virginia Code
E - Abatement Plan
F - Cost Estimate
G - Ordinance