Urban Renewal and Economic Development Committee

Regular Meeting

Charleston, WV · November 7, 2019

Minutes

MINUTES URBAN RENEWAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING 5:30 P. M., NOVEMBER 7, 2019 A/V CONFERENCE ROOM Tiffany Wesley-Plear, Vice Chair, called the meeting of the Charleston City Council Committee on Urban Renewal and Economic Development to order at 5:30p.m., NOVEMBER 7, 2019, in the Audio/Visual Room in City Hall. Committee Members Present: Tiffany Wesley-Plear, Vice Chair Naomi Bays Ben Adams Naomi Bays Caitlin Cook Jennifer Pharr 1. Approval of Previous Minutes – Councilmember Bays moved to approve the minutes of the previous meeting on 9-5-2019. Councilmember Adams seconded. There was no objection and the minutes were approved. 2. Bill No. 7836 Councilmember Wesley-Plear introduced Director of Planning, Dan Vriendt. He explained that the process of creating the plan had been progressing for around 1 ½ years. The process had slowed in order to get input from the public. He reminded the Committee that it is a living document that can be amended even after approval and passage through council. Councilmember Wesley-Plear introduced James Yost and David Gilmore (GAI Consultants, Inc.) and Adam Krason (ZMM Architects & Engineers). Krason stated that they conducted 10 different stakeholder meetings as well as a tour of the Housing Improvement Zone to meet with individual homeowners. The plan represents a visual representation of various goal and strategies. Yost described the plan’s contents, previously presented to the Committee. Reverend Matthew Watts commented that the presented plan is more user-friendly than the previous one. He and several other community organizations have conveyed to developers of the plan that they believe it violates the 1952 Urban Renewal Law. He further stated they believe a budget of estimated costs is required to be submitted with the plan along with redevelopment demolition plans and housing redevelopment plans. City Attorney, Kevin Baker, responded that he has reviewed the law, and believes the plan does comply. He stated he would be willing to review the law again before the bill went to Council. Ricardo Martin asked what specific projects were planned that he would be able to tell the people in his community about. Baker responded that the budgetary requirements are for specific projects, of which the proposed plan does not include. Ron Butlin (CURA) added that that it is a strategic plan to come up with ideas that could be implemented throughout the entire West Side. The catalytic idea is to focus on the home improvement zone. Bob Hardy asked what will happen to the original 2008 plan, specifically the plan’s mention of advocacy groups. Krason responded that the basis of the original document has been incorporated into the amended plan, and referenced Article 7.7. Councilmember Cook asked what had been accomplished from the 2008 plan. Yost answered that Chapter 1 shows what was done and the associated costs. A representative from the Kanawha Valley Foundation stated that the plan is a conceptualized road map of what the area could be. The next phase should involve detailed plans and costs. Councilmember Adams motioned to postpone Bill No. 7836 until the next scheduled meeting. Bays seconded. With the ayes being in the majority, Bill No. 7836 was postponed. Councilmember Adams motioned to adjourn the meeting. Councilmember Pharr seconded. Meeting adjourned.

Agenda

Packet

CITY OF CHARLESTON West Virginia Council Member – 13th WARD Brent Burton Urban Renewal and Economic Development, Chair 340 MacCorkle Ave SE Finance Committee Charleston, WV 25314 Parking Committee Telephone: 304.541‐0991 E‐mail: brent.burton@cityofcharleston.org TO: Urban Renewal and Economic Development Committee FROM: Brent Burton, Chair RE: Committee Meeting There will be a Committee meeting of Urban Renewal and Economic Development on November 7, 2019 at 5:30 PM, in the A/V Conference Room, City Hall, Room 308. The agenda will be as follows: APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES 1. 9‐5‐2019 BILLS 1. Bill No. 7836 ‐ A Bill approving certain modifications of the West Side Community Renewal Plan for the City of Charleston, West Virginia with respect to: Building strong neighborhoods with access to social and health services; creating opportunities for infill housing partnerships and landbanking; expanding public transit into the community; creating opportunities for housing rehabilitation; improving access to open space and recreational activities; attracting development, business, jobs and training; improving neighborhood safety and blight removal; and incorporating complete streets. ADMINISTRATION UPDATES *Meetings may be recorded and broadcast via internet https://charlestonwv.civicclerk.com BB/ns City Council | 501 Virginia Street, East | Post Office Box 2749 | Charleston, West Virginia 25330 www.charlestonwv.gov | 304.348.8179 | 304.348.8038 fax Page | 1 of MINUTES URBAN RENEWAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING 5:30 P. M., SEPTEMBER 5, 2019 A/V CONFERENCE ROOM Naomi Bays, Committee Member, called the meeting of the Charleston City Council Committee on Urban Renewal and Economic Development to order at 5:30p.m., SEPTEMBER 5, 2019, in the Audio/Visual Room in City Hall. Committee Members Present: Brent Burton, Chair (arrived 6:07) Tiffany Wesley-Plear, Vice Chair (arrived 5:45) Naomi Bays Ben Adams Caitlin Cook (via phone) Jennifer Pharr Bobby Reishman (left 6:30) 1. Approval of Previous Minutes – Councilmember Reishman moved to approve the minutes of the previous meeting on 5-9-2019. There was no objection and the minutes were approved. 2. Presentation of the CURA West Side Community Renewal Amendment Draft Ron Butlin introduced James Yost, Senior Landscape Architect at GAI Consultants, Inc., who has been working on the draft. His presentation is briefly summarized:  A new version of the draft will be available online starting September 6, 2019.  The process to date includes: 1. a project kick off meeting, presentation and data review. 2. Defined priority areas (housing, commercial areas, open green spaces and infrastructure). 3. Redevelopment Plan Recommendation (developed catalytic strategies and public improvements). 4. Implementation strategies  The current stage is Plan Adoption Process. The draft has been presented to the public and Municipal Planning Commission. They will present the final draft to CURA’s Commissioners. Once approved by CURA, the plan will be introduced to Council as a bill, where it will be referred to this Committee. Once approved by Committee, it will go to Council for final approval. Councilmember Adams asked what changes have been made to this draft. Yost answered there have been changes to the language concerning social health and more clarification of the catalytic strategy recommendations. Page | 2 of 3. Discussion Concerning revisions to current street vending ordinances and regulations The Committee discussed that the proposed bill changed “street vending” to “street truck.” It was decided that the intention of the bill is to focus on food trucks and vendors and to make the rules and regulations for them clear. Other types of street vendors would need their own bill with specific rules to follow that would more accurately apply to them. Councilmember Reishman confirmed that the vendors have the responsibility to remove their own trash. Councilmember Cook asked if the stakeholders from both sides had been consulted. Chief of Staff, Matt Sutton, answered that the main concern the Administration has received is the potential noise the trucks create and parking in front of direct competitors. The food vendors are looking for clarification of rules. The public is concerned about parking spaces being used. From the audience, Councilmember Steele, asked what in the language has changed other than allowing approval of public right of way as approved by the City Manager. She didn’t think the language stating that a truck cannot operate in front of a restaurant store front is strong enough. A representative from the Charleston Restaurant Association asked the Committee to remember that the brick and mortar restaurants stimulate the economy and employ a significant amount of people. The noise and smell of the generators is a major concern for them. Sutton raised the possibility of having a food truck day or specified food truck location. Councilmember Wesley-Plear stressed the importance of having locations in every part of the City. Councilmember Bays agreed. Councilmember Bays added that when a food truck rents out a meter, the City needs to make sure it covers the length of the truck so crosswalks, etc. are not being blocked. She also added that bagged meters should be different colors based on events, etc. Councilmember Bays also stated that the proposed bill references external signage not being allowed, but that wasn’t clearly defined. Sutton answered that it references not being able to block sidewalks/public spaces. Councilmember Bays also proposed the City find a way to streamline the process of vendors getting a business license to encourage growth by not inundating people with unnecessary paperwork. Councilmember Adams stated that a separate classification could be given to a vendor that only wanted to operate during a certain event. Page | 3 of 4. Administration updates Concerning the previous discussion about business classifications, Sutton mentioned that the Administration will need to fix the rules that currently aren’t being followed before they look to what is next. An equal playing field is paramount to the success of the City. Councilmember Pharr suggested inviting hotel staff to events/various tours to give them knowledge of the City and events to impart to their customers. Councilmember Bays motioned to adjourn the meeting. Councilmember Pharr seconded. Meeting adjourned. Page | 4 of Bill No. 7836 Introduced in Council Passed by Council October 7, 2019 Introduced by Referred to Brent Burton Urban Renewal and Economic Development Committee 1 2 3 Bill No. 7836 - A Bill approving certain modifications of the West Side Community 4 Renewal Plan for the City of Charleston, West Virginia with respect to: Building strong 5 neighborhoods with access to social and health services; creating opportunities for infill 6 housing partnerships and landbanking; expanding public transit into the community; 7 creating opportunities for housing rehabilitation; improving access to open space and 8 recreational activities; attracting development, business, jobs and training; improving 9 neighborhood safety and blight removal; and incorporating complete streets. 10 11 WHEREAS, City Council herby finds that: 12 13 a. The Charleston Urban Renewal Authority has recommended certain 14 modifications of the West Side Community Renewal Plan for the City of 15 Charleston, West Virginia; 16 17 b. A general plan known as the Comprehensive Plan for the City of Charleston 18 has been adopted by City Council and is recognized and used as a general 19 guide for the development of the City; 20 21 c. The Municipal Planning Commission of the City of Charleston has submitted 22 to the Charleston Urban Renewal Authority its findings that these proposed 23 modifications conform with said Comprehensive Plan; and 24 25 d. City Council has duly considered said findings. 26 27 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF 28 CHARLESTON, WEST VIRGINIA: 29 30 That the modifications to the West Side Community Renewal Plan, attached hereto as 31 Exhibit A, are found to be in compliance with the Comprehensive Plan for the City of 32 Charleston and are hereby adopted. 33 All prior Ordinances, inconsistent with this Ordinance are hereby repealed to the extent 34 of said inconsistency. Page | 5 of