Minutes 02/28/2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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February 28, 2017 WHEREAS, undertaking hazard mitigation actions will reduce the potential for harm to people and property from future hazard occurrences; and WHEREAS, an adopted Hazard Mitigation Plan is required as a condition of future funding for mitigation projects under multiple FEMA pre- and post-disaster mitigation grant programs; and WHEREAS, by Resolution R-12-08 adopted on February 14, 2012, City Council adopted the 2011 Southside Hampton Roads Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan, which was an update of the original 2006 Southside Hampton Roads Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan; and WHEREAS, the 2017 Hampton Roads Hazard Mitigation Plan updates the 2011 Plan and is the result of a two year long FEMA-prescribed regional planning process which involved representatives from Portsmouth and 21 other localities; and WHEREAS, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and Federal Emergency Management Agency, Region III officials have reviewed the 2017 Hampton Roads Hazard Mitigation Plan and approved it contingent upon its official adoption by participating governments and entities; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Portsmouth, Virginia, that it hereby adopts the “2017 Hampton Roads Hazard Mitigation Plan” as an official plan. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Manager is authorized to submit this Resolution to the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and to Federal Emergency Management Agency, Region III officials to enable the Plan’s final approval.” Ayes: Cherry, Clark, Lucas-Burke, Moody, Psimas, Whitaker, Rowe Nays: None 17 - 108 - Adoption of a resolution initiating the review and substantial amendment of the Portsmouth Zoning Ordinance. Background:  By Ordinance 2010-08 adopted February 9, 2010, City Council repealed the then- existing Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 40 of the City Code) and adopted a revised Ordinance as Chapter 40.1 of the City Code.  Over the past several years concerns have been raised about the utility and practicality of various provisions of Chapter 40.1 by Council, staff, and members of the public.  On February 16, 2017 City Council and the Planning Commission held a joint meeting.  At the joint meeting, it was agreed by Council, Planning Commission and staff that the City should commence a process of reviewing and substantially amending Chapter 40.1. Discussion:  The review and substantial amendment of the Zoning Ordinance will focus on addressing clarity, ease of use, the relationship of the standards in the Ordinance to the economic development and neighborhood quality goals of the City, the repeal and replacement of the D2-Form Based Code, and consistency with state law.  The City will procure a consultant to assist with preparing the substantial amendment, which will require an estimated 18 months to complete.  Various more specific amendments will proceed on a faster track. Several of these amendments, including to parking and signage regulations, are already underway. Staff anticipates that they will be presented to Planning Commission and Council within the next four to six months. If approved, the amendments will be incorporated into the existing Ordinance and then later carried forward into the substantial amendment.