Minutes 05/22/1979 - Laserfiche WebLink

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22! May 22, 1979 Prior to asking Authority Commission Chairman Herbert Bangel to brief us on the proposed undertakings for the Twin Pines neighborhood, I would like to mention that the funding for the activities proposed for Twin Pines represents a unique opportunity to bring additional Federal funds into the City. As noted in the past, Portsmouth's Community Development Program has been very successful to date; however, as was seen last year, our entitlement continues to decrease from a previous high of $4.5 million in the years 1975-77 to approximately $2.7 million in 1980. This precipitous decline in Community Development Entitlemen Funds requires that every available Federal source be sought to both continue and expand the '~ery~zaet~e and gncnesg~ul Community Revitalization Programs initiated in the City over the past few years." Mr. Bangel, Chairman, Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority presented the following statement: "Prior to generally describing the components of the preapplication, I would like to discus~ Twin Pines from an historical as well as a community involvement perspective. These factors weighed very heavily in the preparation of the preaFplication. As the Churchland area began its rapid growth in the late 60's and early 70's, residents of the 1SO year old Twin Pines neighborhood recognized the evidences of blight and deteriorating conditions in their community. Utilizing community resources, the residents attempted to develo' a plan which they could implement in order to achieve a community of which they and their Church~ land neighbors could be proud. The resultant Twin Pines plan has served as a goal for this community. As Council may-recall, during the September 22, 1978 City Council meeting in which the 1979 Community Development program was being presented, the Twin Pines community made its first request for public assistance in order to implement a plan with which they had been deeply i~n¥~Qlv~._ S..ubS~eqBe~c. to~h~t meeting, City and Authority personnel met with the Twin Pines co~m~n%{y i~de~o ~,~i.?~cnsS~reVitalization needs as seen by community leaders. Due to the limited Jvaila~i%lty of Community Development entitlement funds, the first viable Federal program which the City could utilize to address the needs of Twin Pines was the recent notification of the availability of the $181,000 in Discretionary Community Development Grant fun~$~q~ a one-time competitive basis. This brings us up to the point of the Citizens Advisory Committee's recent recommendation to submit an application for these funds for the revitalization of the Twin Pines community. The proposed actions described in the preapplication include the rezoning of Twin Pines from R-150 to R-60 or R-75 and the installation of a sanitary sewerage syst~m~y'the City, ~ot~ ~f~wh~e~re~gitgliy~n~aessary to facilitg~e new regidential development. · n addition~ a~l unimproved property is proposed to be acquired, resubdivided and sold for sRn~le-fa~%ly ~opmen~. It is estimated that approximately 34 parcels will be made available for this purpose. It should be pointed out that the only improved properties which will be acquired are those necessary to permit the installation of public improvements, and it is estimated that only 3 properties will be required for~zthis purpose. This generally describes the major components of the preapplication; in this regard, it is felt very strongly that this approach is totally consistent with HUD's criteria for the use of these very limited monies and that this proposed effort offers an opportunity for both Portsmouth and the Department of Housing and Urban Development to have a significant and positive imp~act upon the revitalization of Twin Pines with a minimal outlay of Federal funds. City and Authority staff are available to answer any questions you may have concerning this preapplication." %he following citizens spoke: Nathan Thomas, 4116 Twin Pines Road, spoke on behalf of the Concerned Citizens of Twin Pines Civic League and in support of the Single Purpose Community Development Grant. Joseph Preziotti, 4217 Quince Road, spoke on behalf of the Twin Pines neighborhood and in support of the Community Development Grant. Eric White, 6201 Hightower Road, President of the Concerned Citiznes of Twin Pines Civic League, spoke in support of the Community Development Grant. By unanimous vote, and at the request of the City Manager, the rules were suspended to go to ite~ 79~19~. ~ 79-196 -"Consideration of an with the Department of Housing proposal. resolution authorizing the City Manager to file an application and Urban Development for a grant to implement the Twin Pines The .City has be,eh notified by the Department of Housing and Urban Development that ~151,00£ in Discretionary Funding is available under the Community Development Program. These funds are being reallocated to metropolitan cities state-wide and this application is in response to HUD~s request for proposals. The City Manager recommends adoption." Johnny M. Clemmons, P. O. Box 6281, Portsmouth, Va. spoke on behalf of the Ebony Heights Civic League and in full support of Twin Pines being awarded $181,000 Discretionay Community Development Funds by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. , On motion of Mr. Barnes and seconded by Mr. Gray the following resolution was adopted and that the letter from the Ebony Heights Civic League be made a part of the application, and by the following vote: Resolution- See page 223