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September 12, 1972
<br />
<br /> 72-369 "I submit the attached two resolutions and recommend their adoption. The
<br />first resolution approves the conservation and redevelopment plan and the feasibility
<br />of relocation for the Mount Hermon Project, Va. R-69. Adoption of this resolution is
<br />required for the project to proceed.
<br />
<br /> The second resolution authorizes the execution of a cooperation agreement with the
<br />Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority. This assures that the City will provide
<br />its one-third cost of the project."
<br />
<br /> The following request to speak received from Jesse W. Stephenson, 3104 Glasgow Street,
<br />and Patricia V. Weaver, was read:
<br />
<br /> "It is hereby requested that Jesse W. Stephenson and Patricia V. Weaver be given an
<br />opportunity to be heard before the City Council before final decision is made on the approval/
<br />disapproval of the Redevelopment Project in the Mount Hermon Area."
<br />
<br /> Mr. Stephenson spoke in opposition to the resolutions.
<br />
<br /> On motion of Mr. Johhson and seconded by Mr. Smith, f~F~p~f~e following resolution:
<br />
<br /> "A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE CONSERVATION AND REDEVELOPMENT PLAN AND THE
<br /> FEASIBILITY OF RELOCATION FOR THE MOUNT HERMON CONSERVATION AND REDEVELOPMENT
<br /> PROJECT (VA. R-69).
<br />
<br /> WHEREAS, under the provisions of Title I of the Housing Act of 1949, as amended,
<br />the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development is authorized to provide financial assistance
<br />to Local Public'Agencies for undertaking and carrying out urban renewal projects (which
<br />term includes conservation and redevelopment projects); and
<br />
<br /> I*~EREAS, it is provided in such Act'that contracts for financial aid thereunder
<br />shall require that the Urban Renewal Plan (which term includes Conservation and Redevetopmen'
<br />Plan) for the respective project area be approved by the governing body of the locality
<br />in which'the project is situated and that such approval include findings by the governing
<br />body that: (t) the financial aid to be provided in the contract is necessary to enable
<br />the project to he undertaken in accordance with the Urban Renewal Plan; (2) the Urban Renewa~
<br />Plan will afford maximum opportunity, consistent with the sound needs of the locality as
<br />a whole, for the rehabilitation or redevelopment of the urban renewal area by .private enter~
<br />prise; (3) the Urban Renewal Plan conforms to a general plan for the development of the
<br />locality as a whole; and (4) the Urban Renewal Plan gives due consideration to the provision
<br />of adequate park and recreational areas and facilities, as maybe desirable for neighborhood
<br />improvement, with special consideration for the health, safety, and welfare of children
<br />residing in the general vicinity of the site covered by the Plan; and
<br />
<br /> I¢HEREAS, the Portsmouth Redevelopment and~Housing Authority, herein called the "Local
<br />Public Agency," has entered into a planning contract for financial assistance under such
<br />Act with the United States of America, acting by and through the Secretary of Housing and
<br />Urban Development, pursuant to which Federal funds were provided for the urban renewal
<br />project, herein called the "Project", identified as "Mount Hermon Conservation and Redevelop
<br />ment Project, Va. R-69" and encompassing the area bounded by the attached boundary description
<br />in the City of Portsmouth, State of Virginia, herein called the "Locality"; and
<br />
<br /> WHEREAS, the Local Public Agency has applied for additional financial assistance under
<br /> such Act and proposed to enter into additional contract or contracts under the Department
<br /> of Housing and Urban Development for the undertaking of, and for making available additional
<br /> financial assistance, for the Project; and
<br />
<br /> WHEREAS, the Local Public Agency has made detailed studies of the lo~ation, physical
<br /> condition of structures, land use, environmental influences, and social, cultural and economic
<br /> conditions of the ProjeCt area and has determined that the area is blighte~d, deteriorated,
<br /> or deteriorating area and that it is detrimental and a menace to the safety, health, and
<br /> welfare of the inhabitants and users thereof and of the City of Portsmouth at large, because
<br /> of the following: there are 882 structures within the project area. The study of the area
<br /> revealed that 391 are feasible, from the standpoint of condition of that particular building
<br /> as well as its location, for rehabilitation. Accordingly, sections of the project area
<br /> are designated as conservation areas on the Mount Hermon Land Use Map shown on Exhibit
<br /> RP-2. As to the remaining 491 buildings within the project area, 565 or 74% are structurallM
<br /> substandard to a degree requiring clearance. These buildings cannot be economically renovate~;
<br /> further, this blighted, deteriorated, or deteriorating area is detrimental to the safety,
<br /> health, morals and welfare of the community because of dilapidation and basic environmental
<br /> deficiencies such as, overcrowding or improper locati°n of.structures on the land; excessive~
<br /> dwelling unit density; incompatible land us~ relationships, obsolete building types, inadequate
<br /> street layout, inadequate parking and the dilapidation of auxiliary st!ructures in rear
<br /> yards which together with accumulation of debris produces a deleterious effect in some
<br /> areas of the project; and the members of the Council have been fully apprised by the Local
<br /> Public Agency and are aware of these facts and conditions; and
<br />
<br /> WHEREAS, there has been prepared and referred to the Council of the City of Portsmouth
<br /> for review and approval an Urban Renewal Plan for the Project area, dated September, 1972,
<br /> and consisting of 56 pages and 3 exhibits; and
<br />
<br /> WHEREAS, the Urban Renewal Plan has been approved by the,Governing Body of the Local
<br /> Public Agency, as evidenced by the copy of said Body's du~y certified resolution approving
<br /> the Urban Renewal Plan, which is attached hereto; and
<br />
<br /> WHEREAS, a general plan has been prepared and is recognized and used as a guide for thel
<br /> general development of the City of Portsmouth as a whole; and
<br />
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