Minutes 09/22/2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

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September 22, 2015  An “Urban Development Area” is defined by § 15.2-2223.1 of the Virginia Code as an area designated by a locality that is (i) appropriate for higher density development due to its proximity to transportation facilities, the availability of a public or community water and sewer system, or a developed area and (ii) to the extent feasible to be used for redevelopment or infill development. Discussion:  House Bill 2 requires the Commonwealth Transportation Board to develop and implement a quantifiable and transparent prioritization process for making funding decisions for capacity-enhancing projects within the six-year improvement program.  Through legislation, the General Assembly has directed that transportation improvements to support UDAs be considered in both the needs assessment contained in the long range transportation plan known as VTrans, as well as be considered in the HB2 statewide prioritization process for project selection.  VTrans focuses on a multifaceted strategy that recognizes the importance of the Corridors of Statewide Significance, Regional Networks, and UDAs to help maximize the Commonwealth’s public transportation investments.  The Commonwealth of Virginia Office of Intermodal Planning and Investment (OIPI) has encouraged localities to designate UDAs and to designate other similar growth areas as compliant with Virginia Code § 15.2-2223.1 (Comprehensive plan to include urban development areas).  The local jurisdiction governing body, for the jurisdiction in which those locally designated growth areas are located, must take the following two steps: designate one or more UDAs through a Comprehensive Plan Update or Board/Council Resolution, and communicate UDA designations to OIPI.  Resolutions for those designated areas are due by October 1, 2015. Financial Impact:  Projects in designated areas become eligible for funding under the HB2 process. Recommended Action:  Adoption of the Resolution Vision Principles: Neighborhoods and a Sense of Community, A Robust Economy for Working Men and Women. Next Steps Following Council Action:  Forward resolution to the Virginia Department of Transportation and communicate with OIPI. 1. Donna Sayegh, 3104 Garland Drive, spoke in opposition to this item. Motion by Ms. Psimas, and seconded by Mr. Meeks, to adopt the following resolution, and was adopted by the following vote: “RESOLUTION DESIGNATING THE CITY OF PORTSMOUTH AS AN URBAN DEVELOPMENT AREA AND FINDING THAT SAID DESIGNATION IS CONSISTENT WITH THE INTENT OF SECTION 15.2-2223.1 OF THE CODE OF VIRGINIA OF 1950, AS AMENDED. WHEREAS, the entire area of the City of Portsmouth, Virginia, as shown on Exhibit A hereto, demonstrates the characteristics of an Urban Development Area within the meaning of Section 15.2-2223.1 of the Code of Virginia of 1950, as amended; and WHEREAS, information about the City of Portsmouth can be found throughout the City’s Comprehensive Plan, which is titled Destination 2025: Setting a Bold New Course and was adopted on April 26, 2005 by City Council Resolution R-05-19; and WHEREAS , the City’s current zoning is mixed, and the City’s future zoning and land use as described in the Comprehensive Plan are also mixed; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Portsmouth, Virginia, that it hereby designates the entire area of Portsmouth, Virginia as an Urban Development Area and finds that said designation is consistent with the intent of ” Section 15.2-2223.1 of the Code of Virginia of 1950, as amended.