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HomeMy WebLinkAbout090208 Housing and NeighborhoodHousing and Neighborhood Preservation Plan Recommendations to Address the Preservation, Renewal, and Enhancement of Housing and Neighborhoods in Virginia Beach Background •On September 14, 2005, City Council directed the Planning Commission to study workforce housing issues. –One portion of the focus was: “Helping to preserve the character and value of neighborhoods and housing and assist in their preservation and enhancement.” •In January 2007, the Commission’s report on the subject identified 5 recommendations that needed further study. Workforce Housing Subcommittee Recommendations 1.Establish tax incentives for owners of existing housing that promote reinvestment. 2.Establish guidelines for housing renovation that are tailored to individual neighborhoods. 3.Establish a “design center”that provides design and related assistance to owners and builders in order to promote and incentivize renovation that is compatible with existing neighborhood character and design. 4.Provide information, guidance, help in obtaining financing and design assistance to residents who wish to renovate their housing. 5.Insure that capacity exists to preserve neighborhood quality on an ongoing basis in all neighborhoods —adopt a Comprehensive Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy. Preservation subcommittee •In January, 2008 the Planning Commission appointed its subcommittee on Preservation to address these recommendations. •Today’s report is the product of this subcommittee. Leadership of the Preservation Subcommittee •The Subcommittee was appointed by then-Planning Commission chairman Barry Knight •Rosemary Wilson served as Council liaison •Joseph Strange and Henry Livas represented the Planning Commission •Ron Ripley served as the committee chairman •Lanitha Hudson of DHNP was the lead staff person Chandler Frank SpadeaFrank McKinneySteve Lawson Members of the Preservation Subcommittee Volunteers Carolyn McPherson Dan Baxter Iva Nash Dan Brockwell Victoria Price Claudia Cotton Chandler Scarborough Mary Kay Horoszewski Phil Shucet Steve Lawson Frank Spadea Frank McKinney •Barbara Duke•Kay Wilson•’Bill Dore•Olin Walden•Jasmin Dizon•Cheryl Smith•Robert Davis•RountreeLynn Preservation committee staff •Ron Agnor•Bill Dore’ •Jerry Banagan•Barbara Duke •Ron Berkebile•Tom Pauls •Jim Cervera•Sharon Prescott •Phil Davenport•Lynn Rountree •Robert Davis•Cheryl Smith •Jasmin Dizon•Olin Walden •Kay Wilson There’s reason for concern •All housing goes through a life cycle; we believe the larger portion of Virginia Beach housing and neighborhoods to be in the “Mature”phase, which means that action should be taken to avoid potential future decline. •If we don’t address these important issues now, they will only become more complicated and costly later. •Of the 167,000 single-family housing units in Virginia Beach, 44% of them are over 25 years old; 17-20% are in non-standard condition. The issue •With… –Minimal amounts of remaining developable land –A growing divide between income and housing prices –Aging homes and neighborhoods •Then… –What tools are available to help preserve existing housing for those who live here now? –What tools are available to enhance and renew existing housing for those who want to live here later? The Subcommittee’s Task •Develop a set of recommendationsthat: –Outlines the types of toolsthat could be made available •to promote and provide incentives for voluntaryimprovement of housing •that preserves and enhances quality housing and neighborhood character, as well as affordability. •Develop a set of recommendationsthat: –Creates a collaborative processthat addresses neighborhood preservation and improvement on an ongoing, sustainable basis. Vision and Philosophy In order to accomplish our task, we started by establishing the following: •VISION: –Vibrant, well-maintained neighborhoods –All residents have the opportunity to obtain desirable, quality, safe and affordable housing –All residents enjoy a high quality of life •HOUSING PHILOSOPHY: –Key Goals of the City are: •The preservation of affordability through the preservation and renewal of our existing housing stock and •The preservation and enhancement of the quality of life in our neighborhoods. Principles We proposed the following principles to guide us: •All programs should be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan "preserving and protecting the overall character, economic valueand aesthetic quality of the stable neighborhoods in the Primary Residential Area“ •Qualityin the design, construction and rehabilitation of housing is critical to success. •Housing and neighborhoods should be availableto and desirable for a diverse range of people: •Cultures•Races •Backgrounds•Capabilities •Ages•Life stages •Income Principles (cont’d) •Diversity –Includes the type, value and design of housing and neighborhoods –Helps the City meet its goals for quality physical environment, family and youth opportunities and economic vitality •Equal accessto housing and neighborhoods is fundamental •Ensuring affordabilityfor a wide range of households •Public involvement •Use of voluntaryprocesses in all aspects of our work Foundations to Build on •Recommendations proposed here are not the only answers to address aging housing and neighborhoods or the need for preservation efforts. •There are numerous ongoing services and activities of the City that form the foundation of our quality neighborhoods. •These Foundational Services should be maintained, leveraged and enhanced, whenever possible. –Police –Utility Infrastructure –Fire –Roads –EMS –Open Space & Parks –Waste Management –Schools –StormwaterManagement –Transportation –Code Enforcement Preservation Pays Dividends •An economic model was built to estimate the value of investment in housing rehabilitation under our programs. •This model, using national guidelines, shows that such investment creates large direct and indirect economic benefits to the city and community, even when tax abatements are considered. The cost of allowing neighborhoods to decline is The cost of allowing neighborhoods to decline is far greater than that of encouraging investment. far greater than that of encouraging investment. Draft Recommendations The committee’s recommendations fall into the following categories: Financial Resources Tax Abatement Preservation Guidelines A Housing Resource Center A Collaborative Neighborhood Improvement Process Community and Citizen Involvement Financial resources Currently, a variety of resources exist. These resources should be enhanced and others developed to create a toolbox of options for neighborhoods and homes. Tax abatement program The purpose of the Tax Abatement Program is: •To encourage significant improvement of eligible homes throughout the City of Virginia Beach •Encourage the highest construction quality •Maintain the architectural design of the neighborhood The program would be available for homeowners and investors who remodel according to established guidelines. Preservation Guidelines Guidelines define and provide design ideas that are consistent with neighborhood character and architecture Housing Resource Center A resource center’s purpose is to provide access to information and expertise. There are various options to achieve this, including staff expertise, on-line, print materials and an actual center. Collaborative Neighborhood Improvement Processes The Neighborhood Improvement Process would: Help neighborhoods achieve their highest potential and become vibrant, well-maintained areas. The way to achieve this is through a coordinated, collaborative process that engages: •Citizens •City Staff •Local Businesses and other key stakeholders Community/ Citizen Involvement Early and meaningful involvement of citizens will create a better plan, and lead to more ownership. We can use existing city models . of involvement to ensure full participation The Value of a Preservation Plan •The Plan will benefit –Individual Homeowners –with access to information, expertise, and financial resources to make better decisions –Home Remodelers –with guidance and incentives to make improvements consistent with neighborhood character –Neighborhood Residents –with well-maintained, renewed structures and infrastructure that maintains neighborhood character –City –by ensuring the availability of a wide range of housing and neighborhood choices for a… Community for a Lifetime Next Steps Public Comment Opportunity next week ? (September 9) Resolution directing staff to return with ? implementation plans based on the proposed timeline (September 23) Implementation planning begins with activities ? and some proposals for this and future year budgets YOUR QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS Questions or Comments Andrew M. Friedman Department of Housing and Neighborhood Preservation afriedma@VBgov.com 757.385.5752 25