AGENDA DATE: 12/11/2024
TITLE:
Title
Schedule a Public Hearing for Spot Blight Ordinance for 5624 Brownsville Road, Parcel ID 05600-00-00-026E1
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Schedule a Public Hearing for Spot Blight Ordinance for 5624 Brownsville Road, Parcel ID 05600-00-00-026E1
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).
On April 6, 2016, the Board authorized staff to address problem properties using the County's spot blight abatement authority enabled by Virginia Code § 36-49.1:1.
On December 1, 2021, the Board directed staff to continue to pursue spot blight abatement using the County’s current authority and to report back on the results. Since that time, seven properties have been investigated, with six properties identified as possibly blighted. On March 20, 2024, the Board adopted spot blight ordinances on three of those properties. By June 24, 2024, the blighted structures on all three of those original properties had been demolished.
The current item is to request the scheduling of a public hearing on a spot blight ordinance for 5624 Brownsville Road (Parcel ID 05600-00-00-026E1) in keeping with existing practice. Staff identified this property as a “blighted property,” and initiated the required steps to abate the identified blight. Specifically, 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. 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 structure, removal of debris to an authorized facility, and grading/seeding the disturbed area.”
If the Board authorizes a public hearing, staff would generate the necessary information, including a cost estimate for this work. In addition, CDD would work with the Department of Finance and Budget to determine a funding source and recommendation.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Safety & Well-being - Nurture a safe and healthy community.
DISCUSSION: This agenda item, if approved, would authorize the scheduling of a public hearing on a spot blight ordinance for 5624 Brownsville Road, Parcel ID 05600-00-00-026E1.
BUDGET IMPACT: Abatement costs for 5624 Brownsville Road, Parcel ID 05600-00-00-026E1 would 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 5624 Brownsville Road, Parcel ID 05600-00-00-026E1.
ATTACHMENTS:
Att.A - Vicinity Map - 5624 Brownsville Rd
Att.B - Property Conditions - 5624 Brownsville Rd