Minutes 07/13/2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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July 13, 2004 WHEREAS, many single family group homes, also known as residential care facilities ("single family group homes"), have come into existence to meet the new need for housing such citizens; and WHEREAS, Section 15.2-2291 of the Code of Virginia requires that single family group homes for eight or fewer people be treated for zoning purposes as single family residences, and the City's zoning ordinance does as required by state law under the uses of "Family Care Residence for Adults" and "Family Care Residence for Children"; and WHEREAS, it is part of national policy that single family group homes be located in residential neighborhoods, in order that the citizens who reside in those group homes may enjoy the full benefits of regular interaction and friendships with members of society; and WHEREAS, various economic factors have led to an undue and excessive concentration of single family group homes in certain neighborhoods in the City of Portsmouth, with over thirty-one such facilities - approximately one-fifth of all such facilities in the entire state - presently located in the Park View and Cavalier Manor neighborhoods, and this undue concentration is becoming so extreme that it verges on a re-segregation of mentally ill, mentally retarded, and developmentally disabled citizens from society, which condition benefits neither those citizens nor the neighborhoods in question; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Portsmouth, Virginia, that the City does hereby request the General Assembly of Virginia to conduct a study of (1) the undue and excessive concentration of single famil' group homes in certain neighborhoods; (2) the adverse effect of this excessive concentration on the residents of single family group homes; (3) the adverse effect of this excessive concentration on the neighborhoods in question; and (4) workable regulatory alternatives which would result in a greater dispersion of single family group homes for the mutual benefit of the residents thereof and the affected neighborhoods. This resolution shall be effective immediately upon its adoption." Ayes: Heretick, Moody, Psimas, Randall, Smith, Whitehurst, Holley Nays: None 04 - 277 - Adoption of a resolution to consider revisions to the "City of Portsmouth Rule., of Order and Procedures." The City Attorney has drafted a revised "Rules of Order and Procedures" as previously discussed by the City Council. Recommended Action: · Adoption of a resolution adopting revised "Rules of Order and Procedure" for City Council. Summary: · The Portsmouth City Council has adopted rules of order and procedures for the conduct of City business over the years. The rules and procedures provide the specific guidelines for how meetings (public work sessions, regular meetings, special meetings, closed meetings, etc.) will be called and conducted and other Council meeting protocol to ensure equity and order. The current City Council has requested that certain revisions be made to the document to assist them in better serving the citizens ol Portsmouth while conducting public business. Purpose and Need: · Council may from time to revise its "Rules of Order and Procedure," which govern the conduct of various meetings of City Council. It has been several years since a~ revisions have been made.