RECENT COMMENTS
Council to consider changes to vacant building registry, Buzzy’s SUP
The agenda for the Monday, October 28 meeting of City Council includes consideration of the amended SUP for Captain Buzzy’s, funding for technology at the new MLK Middle School, and an increase in the fees and fines associated with the city’s vacant building registry:
Ord. No. 2013-211 (Patron: Mayor Jones) – To transfer and appropriate funds in the amount of $394,855.00 from the School Planning & Construction project in the Education category within the Fiscal Year 2013-2014 Capital Budget to the Fiscal Year 2013-2014 School Budget for expenditure by the School Board for technology purposes in accordance with the technology major classification for the purpose of providing for the installation of specific technology infrastructure and equipment in the new Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School.
Ord. No. 2013-218 (Patron: Mayor Jones) – To amend and reordain City Code § 14-15, concerning vacant building registration, for the purpose of reflecting amendments to Va. Code § 15.2-1127.
Ord. No. 2013-112 (Patron: Mayor Jones, By Request) – To amend Ord. No. 2004-216-272, adopted Oct. 11, 2004, which authorized the special use of the property known as 2623 East Broad Street for the purpose of converting an existing main building for use as three (3) dwelling units and a commercial space and converting the existing accessory building on such property into a dwelling unit, to reduce the restrictions placed upon the commercial space within the building, upon certain terms and conditions. (As Amended)
I’m very pleased to see the mayor taking some action against vacant and blighted properties. I hope that others in our neighborhood will speak out in support. Unfortunately I will be out of town and cannot attend.
For ord. No. 2013-218, I wonder what the fee structure would be if the program were to pay for itself? While quadrupling the cost may seem like a sizable increase, I’m sure most would agree $100 is no hardship. And how many years has the fee been $25 with no increase at all?
Since October 2006 (City going after owners of blighted properties)
Also on the agenda is the Floyd Avenue bike boulevard funding request (20% match to VDOT’s 80%). I live in a Fulton but welcome healthy, affordable and safe transportation options throughout the city. With the Floyd and Franklin bike-walk improvements, residents of the east end will be able to safely cycle all the way to Ellwoods and back on the Virginia Capital Trail, Franklin cycle track, and Floyd. It’s not just a Fan project and issue–it’s for everyone who travels to and through the Fan.