AGENDA DATE: 1/9/2019
TITLE:
Title
Community Field Survey Phase 1 Final Report
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Update the Board of Supervisors on the results from Phase I of the Community Field Survey and receive approval to initiate Phase II
ITEM TYPE: Regular Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Walker, Henry, Graham, Crickenberger, Stewart, Gast-Bray, Smith, A., Freitas, Dellinger, Emerick, Russell
PRESENTER (S): Mark Graham, Amy Smith, Michael Freitas, Andrew Gast-Bray, Michael Dellinger, Kevin McDermott, Siri Russell
LEGAL REVIEW: Not Required
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: While establishing the action objectives of the County’s FY 17-19 Strategic Plan, the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors identified the revitalization of aging urban neighborhoods as a high priority. A key objective stemming from this priority included direction that by January 2019, there will be increased support for planning efforts and improvement actions to address neighborhood level needs.
On November 1, 2017, the Board of Supervisors approved Appropriation #2018040 which included funding to the Community Development Department (CDD) for contract services with the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission (TJPDC) to complete the pilot neighborhood level community field survey, initiating in January 2018 and concluding in June 2018.
Neighborhood 7, in the Ivy and Barracks Road area, was selected as the initial survey area for the pilot phase of the project (Attachment A). This area was selected because of its relatively compact neighborhoods and older housing stock; a primary goal of the pilot phase being to refine the process for future phases.
The community field survey provided a baseline information on existing physical conditions within the defined area. The survey included information on the condition of:
• Bike and pedestrian facilities
• Street lighting
• Signage
• Transit Stops
• Parks and public spaces
• Residential facilities
STRATEGIC PLAN: Quality Government Operations: Ensure County government’s capacity to provide high quality service that achieves community priorities
DISCUSSION: County staff has identified multiple applications for the information gained from the community field survey, such as:
Small Area and Master Planning Applications:
The information provided by the community field survey provides a methodology to determine the current state of the neighborhood prior to the development of a plan; it establishes a baseline independent of the small area plan and aids and informs the development of the goals for planning exercises.
Community Development Block Grants:
The survey provides an opportunity to obtain the data necessary to leverage federal funds that could be used to target revitalization efforts in specific areas. With the information provided by inventorying the existing conditions of a neighborhood, staff is confident that the County will be in a stronger position to apply for and receive Community Development Block Grants to support future efforts.
Facilities and Environmental Services:
The information collected will provide necessary and substantial support to the County’s work on addressing the aesthetic appearance of high visibility urban public spaces and improving the physical conditions in the aging urban core areas; allowing for the scoping of current conditions and forming the baseline from which an infrastructure and public works strategy can be developed.
At the Board’s January 9th meeting staff will present the results (Attachment B) of the Phase I pilot and associated opportunities and takeaways. If the Board is supportive of staff’s approach for Phase II, staff will work with TJPDC to finalize the scope of that work. If successful, this approach could be broadened over time; staff anticipates that there could be savings realized by reducing the costs of small area plans over time.
BUDGET IMPACT: There is no budget impact associated with the presentation of the Phase 1 Pilot Final Report. The FY 19 budget currently includes funding for a proposed phase II.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Board:
1. Receive for information, the final report on the Community Field Survey Phase 1 Pilot
2. Endorse staff’s approach for Phase II.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: Map of Pilot Area
Attachment B: TJPDC Final Report