City Council

AGENDA--CITY COUNCIL CITY OF MARTINSVILLE, VIRGINIA Council Chambers – Municipal Building 5:00pm Work Session 6:00pm Executive/CLOSED Session 7:00pm Regular Session Tuesday May 14, 2024 5:00 pm – WORK SESSION / BRIEFING 1. Discuss Consent Agenda Items A. VML Policy Committee Appointments B. Five Points Housing Project Completion Funding C. Discussion of FY2024-25 proposed budget 1. Uptown Partnership budget request 2. Virginia Cooperative Extension budget request 2. Quarterly Department Updates: A. Community Development B. Public Information Officer C. Human Resources 6:00 pm – EXECUTIVE/CLOSED SESSION 1. 2.2-3711-A.1: Discussion, consideration, or interviews of prospective candidates for employment, assignment, appointment, promotion, performance, demotion, salaries, disciplining, or resignation of specific public officers, appointees, or employees of any public body, concerning appointments or reappointments to Boards and Commissions. 2. 2.2-3711.A.3: Discussion or consideration of the disposition of publicly held real property, where discussion in an open meeting would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the public body, concerning the BB&T project. 7:00 pm - Regular Session 1. Call to Order 2. Pledge to the American Flag by Council Member Tammy Pearson. 3. Invocation – 4. Proclamations and Presentations A. Proclamation for Building Safety Month 5. Consent Agenda A. Items Previously Discussed 1. VML Policy Committee Appointments 2. Five Points Housing Project Completion Funding  B. Board Appointments 1. Anchor Group 2. Children’s Services Act 3. Arts and Cultural Committee 4. Architectural Review Board 6. Regular agenda or New business A. Overview and Summary of a 2024 Regional Housing Study prepared by the West Piedmont Planning District Commission B. 2nd Reading and Adoption of Amendment to Zoning Ordinance related to Building Height Restrictions and Handicapped Parking Space requirements. 7. Take any action necessary as a result of the Executive Session 8. Communications from Visitors / Business from the Floor The public comment portion of the Council meeting provides citizens with the opportunity to discuss matters relevant to the operation of the City, which are not listed on the printed agenda. Citizens who wish to participate in a meeting’s public comment period may do so by emailing their comments to Karen Roberts, Clerk of Council, at kroberts.martinsvilleva.gov, calling in their comments to 276-403-5182, faxing comments to 276-403-5280, or mailing comments to the City of Martinsville, attn.: Karen Roberts, P.O. Drawer 1112, Martinsville, VA 24114. Comments must be received by 12:00noon May 13, 2024. Citizens may also request to speak at the Council meeting in the same manner. Comments, or a request to speak, must be received by noon the day before a Council meeting for consideration by Council at the meeting. Any person submitting comments or requesting to speak must identify themselves by name and address, including zip code, limit their remarks to 3 minutes or less (as read aloud), address a topic of City business, and refrain from making any personal references or accusations of a factually false and/or malicious nature. Priority for comments AGENDA--CITY COUNCIL CITY OF MARTINSVILLE, VIRGINIA Council Chambers – Municipal Building 5:00pm Work Session 7:00pm Regular Session DATE is given to City residents, taxpayers, and business owners. Speakers may not yield time. Groups of speakers on the same topic must designate a single representative. Comments violating these rules may not be presented at the Council meeting. Any speaker violating these rules may be removed from the podium or from the Council chamber. This policy does not apply to public hearings, at which any citizen of Martinsville may appear and speak on the subject of the public hearing. 9. Comments by Members of City Council (5 mins) 10. Communications A. City Manager B. City Attorney C. Monthly Financial Update 11. Adjournment  STAFF REPORT MEETINGS: May 14, 2024 TITLE: Five Points Housing Project Completion Funding STAFF RESPONSIBLE Greg Maggard BACKGROUND/HISTORY The City, with grant assistance from the Harvest Foundation, has been constructing the Five Points Housing Project for the last few years. All the homes are now complete with only a few site-related improvements left. Unfortunately, the grant funds have been fully expended with approximately $50,000 of improvements left to complete. POLICY EXPLANATION Providing good quality, affordable housing was identified in the 2020 Housing Market Study and Needs Analysis. The Five Points Development provides housing to meet these needs. FISCAL IMPACT/FUNDING SOURCE $50,000 of ARPA Funds ACTION REQUESTED/ALTERNATIVES: 1. Approve the appropriation of $50,000 in ARPA Funds to complete the Five Points Housing Development Project. Alternative-utilize General Funds to complete improvements. 1  STAFF REPORT ATTACHMENTS: Five Points Development Remaining Improvements 5/1/2024 • Complete the paving of newly constructed roadway • Install the remaining fencing along perimeter of site • Construct remaining curb and gutter at newly constructed roadway • Repair curb and gutter along Emanual St. • Construct remaining sidewalk throughout the development • Install grass to 4 completed lots • Remove all temporary stormwater devices • Pave driveway at 4 completed lots • Install ADA compliant ramp at ADA designated home • Revise DEQ stormwater permit and drawings • General cleanup of site 2  ORDINANCE 2024-U-1 The Budget for Fiscal Year 2024-2024 BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the City of Martinsville, Virginia in regular session assembled May 14, 2024, that the following sums of money be and hereby are appropriated – by specific Fund – for the City’s fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 from the following Fund sources of estimated revenue: SUMMARY STATEMENT OF BUDGET ESTIMATES 2024-2025 PROJECTED BUDGETED CHANGES FUND FUND REVENUES EXPENDITURES BALANCE General $38,096,430 $35,514,868 2,581,799 Meals Tax $0 $0 $0 IDA $250,000 $250,000 $0 Capital Reserve $0 $0 $0 Refuse $2,136,950 $2,136,950 $0 Telecom $2,280,031 $2,280,031 $0 Water $4,316,260 $4,316,260 $0 Sewer $5,507,629 $5,507,629 $0 Electric $24,748,380 $24,748,380 $0 Street Fund $4,442,559 $4,442,559 $0 Stormwater Fund $420,620 $420,620 $0 CDBG $0 $0 $0 Cafeteria* $2,186,601 $2,186,601 $0 School – Federal Programs $2,267,523 $2,267,523 $0 School Operating* $28,050,273 $28,050,273 $0 TOTALS: $114,703,256 $112,121,694 $2,581,799 *Information on cafeteria and school operating funds is provided by school personnel. Tax Rates: Real Estate: $0.99 per $100 assessed value (unchanged) Personal Property: $2.30 per $100 assessed value (unchanged) Machinery/Tools: $1.85 per $100 assessed value (unchanged) Electric Rates: 5% average increase across all categories Water & Sewer Rates Increase cost per additional thousand gallons to $3.50. Base rates will remain the same. Stormwater Rate $3 per month for residential customers; $3.50 - $4.00 per month for non-residential customers Attest: ____________________________________________ Karen Roberts, Clerk of Council  Community Development Department Overview May 14, 2024  Community Services Team Community Services combine the focus of Community Development, Economic Development, and Housing Development • Keith Holland, Community Development Director • Kris Bridges, Building Official/Zoning Administrator • Hanna Powell, Community Development Specialist • Mark Price, Inspector • Devontae Jordan, Code Compliance Inspector • Loretta Richardson, Code Compliance Inspector • Tammy Davis, Permit Technician • Kim Walker, Housing Administrator • Economic Development position currently vacant  Community Revitalization • Parks Improvement Plan • CDBG Fayette Street Revitalization Grant • Wayfinding Signage Update • Community Forest Revitalization Program • Opportunity Appalachia/ Amphitheater Project • Climate Action Plan  Housing • Aaron Mills Senior Housing • Fayette Street Lofts • Pine Hall Housing Project • BB&T Rehabilitation Project • Housing development at Beaver St./Fayette St.  Planning & Zoning • Amendments to Zoning Ordinance • Amendments to Enterprise Zone Incentives • Creation of City Policy for Murals and Public Art • Creation of a new Comprehensive Plan • Creation of Arts & Cultural Master Plan • Updates to the Historic District Guidelines  Economic Development • Administer 2 Enterprise Zones and 1 Opportunity Zone • Redevelopment of 51 Lester Street • Brownfield Grants • Uptown Partnership/MHC Chamber of Commerce • Industrial Development Authority  Neighborhood Services Building Code Enforcement • Plan Reviews • Complaints • Issuance of Permits • Nuisance Inspections • Building Inspections • Property Maintenance  Boards & Commissions • Architectural Review Board (ARB) • Arts & Cultural Committee (ACC) • Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) • Planning Commission (PC) • Industrial Development Authority (IDA)  Things To Do…. • Secure a qualified consulting firm to begin developing a new Comprehensive Plan with an emphasis on community engagement • Strategic use of grant funding to conduct building maintenance conditions in Uptown business district and work with building owners to address code compliance issues and continue demolitions of unsafe and derelict buildings • Review current incentives in Enterprise Zones to address effectiveness and targeted private investment • Seek CDBG and Virginia Housing grants for housing rehabilitation, code enforcement, blight remediation, small business revolving loans, and capacity development to help nonprofit development (i.e. re-establish and grow a Habitat for Humanity chapter for MHC) • Develop RFP for development/redevelopment of publicly held properties and increase tax-producing properties in the City • Develop an Arts & Culture Master Plan • Many, many more Questions and Comments  STAFF REPORT MEETINGS: May 14, 2024 TITLE: Proclamation of May as Building Safety Month STAFF RESPONSIBLE Keith Holland, Community Development Director BACKGROUND/HISTORY The City of Martinsville annually issues a Proclamation to designate May as Building Safety Awareness Month. The proclamation is intended to raise public awareness of the dangers that unsafe building conditions create. POLICY EXPLANATION City Council have traditionally issued proclamations to designate special days, weeks, or entire months to recognize the need for increased awareness of matters of public interest, public health, safety and welfare, and acknowledgment of efforts of individuals or groups for achievement. FISCAL IMPACT/FUNDING SOURCE None AVAILABLE BUDGET PURCHASE AMOUNT NA NA ACTION REQUESTED/ALTERNATIVES: 1. Approve the attached Proclamation from the International Code Council to recognize May as Building Safety Month in the City of Martinsville ATTACHMENTS: 1. Proclamation 1  City of Martinsville Proclamation of May as Building Safety Month May 14, 2024 A CITY WITHOUT LIMITS  Purpose Recognize the importance of safe buildings and resiliency of the community through efforts of professional building safety and fire prevention officials, architects, engineers, builders, tradespeople, design professionals, laborers, plumbers and others in the construction industry–– who work year-round to ensure the safe construction and maintenance of buildings Bring attention to the theme of “Mission Possible” for Building Safety Month 2024 and raise awareness of building safety on a personal, community, and global scale Building Safety Month Proclamation Questions?  Proclamation Building Safety Month — May 2024 WHEREAS, Martinsville, Virginia, is committed to recognizing that our growth and strength depend on the safety and essential role our homes, buildings, and infrastructure play, both in everyday life and when disasters strike, and; WHEREAS, our confidence in the resilience of these buildings that make up our community is achieved through the devotion of vigilant guardians––building safety and fire prevention officials, architects, engineers, builders, tradespeople, design professionals, laborers, plumbers, and others in the construction industry––who work year-round to ensure the safe construction of buildings, and; WHEREAS, these guardians are dedicated members of the International Code Council, a nonprofit that brings together local, state, territorial, tribal, and federal officials who are experts in the built environment to create and implement the highest-quality codes to protect us in the buildings where we live, learn, work and play, and; WHEREAS, these modern building codes include safeguards to protect the public from hazards such as hurricanes, snowstorms, tornadoes, wildland fires, floods and earthquakes, and; WHEREAS, Building Safety Month is sponsored by the International Code Council to remind the public about the critical role of our communities’ largely unknown protectors of public safety––our local code officials––who assure us of safe, sustainable, and affordable buildings that are essential to our prosperity, and; WHEREAS, “Mission Possible,” the theme for Building Safety Month 2024, encourages us all to raise awareness about building safety on a personal, local, and global scale and; WHEREAS, each year, in observance of Building Safety Month, people all over the world are asked to consider the commitment to improve building safety, resilience and economic investment at home and in the community, and to acknowledge the essential service provided to all of us by local and state building departments, fire prevention bureaus and federal agencies in protecting lives and property. NOW, THEREFORE, I, LC Jones, Mayor of the City of Martinsville, do hereby proclaim the month of May 2024 as Building Safety Month. Accordingly, I encourage our citizens to join us as we participate in Building Safety Month activities. ___________________________________________ LC Jones Mayor  STAFF REPORT MEETINGS: May 14, 2024 TITLE: Overview and Summary of a 2024 Regional Housing Study Prepared by the West Piedmont Planning District Commission STAFF RESPONSIBLE Keith Holland, Community Development Director BACKGROUND/HISTORY The West Piedmont Planning District Commission recently completed a comprehensive housing study for their region, with specific details and recommendations for each local government, including Martinsville. West Piedmont Planning District Commission (WPPDC) undertook this housing study in partnership with the Virginia Center for Housing Research at Virginia Tech (VCHR) and HousingForward Virginia (HFV). PDCs serve member local governments within their region and build regional approaches to issues like economic development, transportation, and legislative priorities. The West Piedmont Planning District’s member localities are: Franklin, Henry, Patrick, and Pittsylvania Counties; the Cities of Danville and Martinsville; and the Town of Rocky Mount. Each member locality identified housing as a concern in their jurisdiction and with the opportunities offered through Virginia Housing, elected to conduct a regional housing study. Sean Campbell, Housing Programs Director and Kristie Eberly, Executive Director of WPPDC will attend the City Council meeting on May 14 to present the findings of the study and suggested action items for the City to undertake to address housing needs. POLICY EXPLANATION The attached study is a 24-page summary of the report. The full technical report is available on the Community Development web page on the City’s website for anyone interested in more details and data analysis. FISCAL IMPACT/FUNDING SOURCE None AVAILABLE BUDGET PURCHASE AMOUNT N/A N/A 1  STAFF REPORT ACTION REQUESTED/ALTERNATIVES: 1. No action required ATTACHMENTS: 1. 2024 WPPDC Housing Study Consumer Version 2  City of Martinsville Presentation by WPPDC on 2023/24 Regional Housing Study May 14, 2024 A CITY WITHOUT LIMITS  Purpose WPPDC staff will be providing an overview of the recently completed 2023/24 Regional Housing Study as well as highlight recommended strategies for the City of Martinsville for developing more housing opportunities to support expected growth This summary version offers high-level information and conclusions. Details regarding data, analysis, conclusions, and proposed solutions can be found in the full, technical study report. This study and recommended actions will provide support for Development Services staff and city administration to develop programs around housing and sound land use in cooperation with the City Planning Commission during the development of a new Comprehensive Plan WPPDC Regional Housing Study Questions? 2024 West Piedmont Planning District Commission HOUSING STUDY Housing Study Sections Prepared by the Virginia Center Introduction for Housing Research at Virginia Tech, HousingForward Virginia, and the West WPPDC Regional Analysis Piedmont Planning District Commission for West Piedmont Planning District Pittsylvania County & City of Danville Commission Member Localities: Franklin County, Henry County, Patrick Franklin County County, Pittsylvania County, City of Danville, City of Martinsville and the Henry County & City of Martinsville Town of Rocky Mount Patrick County 2023/24 WPPDC Housing Study Introduction About the Study West Piedmont Planning District Commission (WPPDC) undertook this housing study in partnership with the Virginia Center for Housing Research at Virginia Tech (VCHR) and HousingForward Virginia (HFV). PDCs serve member local governments within their region and build regional approaches to issues like economic development, transportation, and legislative priorities. The West Piedmont Planning District’s member localities are: Franklin, Henry, Patrick, and Pittsylvania Counties; the Cities of Danville and Martinsville; and the Town of Rocky Mount. Each member locality identified housing as a concern in their jurisdiction and with the opportunities offered through Virginia Housing, elected to conduct a regional housing study. This summary version offers high-level information and conclusions. Details regarding data, analysis, conclusions and proposed solutions can be found in the full, technical study report. Study Scope Phase 1: Needs Assessment, Market Analysis, Training VCHR assessed county, city and town trends in the context of the region to identify jurisdiction-specific challenges and opportunities. As a part of the study, VCHR trained WPPDC staff to compile publicly available housing data, assess its reliability, and interpret the data in the context of the region and individual localities. Phase 2: Analysis of Barriers & Community Outreach WPPDC staff coordinated listening sessions for VCHR and HFV to learn about housing market conditions and challenges from local staff and stakeholders. VCHR and HFV met with staff from each county and city as well as a number of Town representatives. Staff and stakeholders described each jurisdiction, its housing stock, housing challenges and potential opportunities. Local representatives identified specific issues affecting their communities, which helped to guide the analysis. These issues included workforce housing; housing equity, aging and substandard housing stock and opportunities for rehabilitation; options for aging in place; the availability of housing affordable to residents at diverse income levels, and; gaps in the availability of housing. VCHR conducted interviews to fill gaps from the initial listening sessions. These conversations focused on building and development, vulnerable populations, and the key geographies not addressed in the listening sessions. Phase 3: Strategy Development HFV reviewed the information developed by VCHR’s Needs Assessment and Market Analysis work to compile a tailored menu of housing policies and strategies associated with the needs highlighted in preliminary data analysis drafts and goals discussed by staff and stakeholders. WPPDC, HFV and VCHR convened meetings with each jurisdiction to review housing needs and understand the best practice policies that would address those needs. With jurisdiction input, HFV created tailored solutions for each jurisdiction and provided additional detail for the policies selected by the jurisdictions. Brief descriptions of solutions are included in this summary version of the study. Solutions in the full, technical report have greater details, including responsible actors and their roles, implementation steps, funding requirements, possible funding sources, and relevant best practices. 2023/24 WPPDC Housing Study Introduction - 1 WPPDC Regional Analysis 240,482 Region’s population Population The West Piedmont PDC Region includes the counties of Franklin, Henry, Patrick, 99,190 and Pittsylvania, the Cities of Danville, and Martinsville. The region’s population is households 240,482 and comprises 99,190 households. Most of the region’s households (76%) live within the four counties. 76% Regionwide Housing Challenges lives within the four The submarkets throughout the region have many commonalities counties. and similar housing challenges that lend themselves to regional initiatives and approaches to housing solutions. Franklin County Pittsylvania County City of Martinsville Patrick County City of Danville Henry County 2023/24 WPPDC Housing Study Regional Analysis - 1  Housing Conditions Local government staff and stakeholders throughout the region identified the conditions of housing as a challenge for both existing and prospective residents. The energy performance, maintenance costs, and upgrade costs of a housing unit depend greatly on the age of the unit. Older units usually cost more to heat and cool and require more maintenance and upgrades to retain their full market value. Homes built in the 40s and 50s benefit from solid construction of that era, and typically have had up to two “upgrades” in their history. Housing built in the 1960s is often less well located and has higher transportation costs. Many homes built between 1960s and 1980s have not had any major upgrades since their original construction and may need upgrades soon to remain competitive in their housing markets.                                                               Source: VCHR tabulation of 2021 ACS 5-year Estimates Danville and Martinsville have the oldest stock in the region, with almost half of the cities’ housing built prior to 1960. The region’s counties have housing that is more evenly distributed across decades prior to 2000. Franklin County, which has the highest demand market it the region, has seen the most housing development since 2000. 2023/24 WPPDC Housing Study Regional Analysis - 2  Shifting Needs and Preferences Households in the WPPDC are smaller today. Young families struggle to find affordable starter homes and 60 and older people are seeking conveniences that support aging. Buyers are looking for homes that do not require major renovations. Renters prefer larger floorplans with higher-end amenities. Younger buyers and renters are looking for smaller single-family homes. Despite preferences, many households encounter financial obstacles. Local governments can incentivize development of smaller-scale housing. Adding smaller multifamily or attached units may increase the number of affordable, high-quality units in the market without subsidy. Well-designed multifamily developments can offer conveniences to help move renters and buyers away from single family units. Older homebuyers, 60 and over, gravitate toward suburban and small town living as well as resort living. Almost half of households in the WPPDC region are led by individuals that are 60 and over. Source: 2021 ACS 5-year Estimates Workforce Housing Low wage workers in common occupations throughout the region face housing challenges. Households with only one worker can have difficulty finding Registered nurses affordable housing. Most of the region’s working households are single earner. can afford housing, even as single earner In Danville, except for registered nurses, no workers in the top ten occupations can afford the median rent as a single earner. Some experienced workers in the top ten occupations can afford median rent. However, homeownership is still out of reach. Affordable housing throughout the region is not available for food service workers and cashiers, even ones with a higher experience level and sharing Affordable housing is not available for food service housing costs with another worker. Some occupations like personal care aids in workers & cashiers Danville and Pittsylvania County and security workers in Patrick County will find it difficult to find affordable housing at any experience level. These occupations may not be able to afford purchasing a home if they are sharing costs with another worker in the same occupation. Many of the workers that are unable to find affordable housing fill important roles in the community. Housing insecurity forces them to make decisions that Even experienced security workers find it difficult to adversely affect their and their family’s health and future. find affordable housing 2023/24 WPPDC Housing Study Regional Analysis - 3 Housing Insecurities Homelessness In the WPPDC region around 24% of households It is estimated that over 10,000 households in spend more than 30 percent of their income the WPPDC region are at risk of homelessness, on housing. Of those households 21,300 which is roughly 10% of total households in the have incomes of less than 80 percent of the region, 5,750 renter households, and 4,400 owner Area Median Income. These households will households. often have to make choices between housing 10% and other necessities like food, clothing, transportation, and medical care. Quite often At Risk of Homelessness they live with the fear of losing their housing and may experience homelessness. Renters are more likely to be affected by Literal homelessness is difficult to accurately increasing housing costs than homeowners. count in suburban, exurban, and rural contexts. Homeowners generally have a fixed mortgage The WPPDC region has limited services for payment; renters typically are subject to annual households that experience homelessness. Often rent increases and more likely to experience unsheltered people will move between the housing cost-burden at a higher rate than homes of friends and family or squat in unused homeowners. Homeowners can become cost buildings or camp. The 2023 Point-in-time count burdened due to economic hardships such in the WPPDC region identified more than 100 as job loss, maintenance costs, death of a family people experiencing literal homelessness. The member or fixed incomes that do not keep up number of school-aged children experiencing rising costs of taxes, utilities, and insurance. homelessness are often a better indicator of homelessness challenges in these contexts. In the 2020-2021 school year at least 221 students Cost-burdened Households in the WPPDC Region were identified as by Tenure experiencing homelessness. 11,446 Renter Households 8,932 Households Owning with a Mortgage 3,683 Households Owning Free and Clear Source: 2021 ACS 5-year Estimates 2023/24 WPPDC Housing Study Regional Analysis - 4  Designate West Regional Solutions Piedmont Planning District Commission as the region’s land bank. Property vacancies and blight are consistent issues among nearly all localities in the region. Population decline and disinvestment were early factors that contributed to property abandonment and neglect. Real estate speculation now plays a major role in current property conditions. As a land bank, WPPDC would be able to acquire, manage and develop, and redevelop abandoned properties. These properties could then be returned to productive use. Land banks can be used to acquire neighboring lots or hold land responsibly until market conditions improve, more often land banks attempt to quickly acquire and dispose of property to meet community goals. Land banks are able to receive properties directly from localities, avoiding a competitive bidding process. They can also acquire properties on the private market. In addition, land banks in Virginia are exempt from real estate taxes, which better allows them to focus resources on improving and maintaining properties. Coordinate home repair and rehabilitation programs at the regional level to maximize reach and impact. This strategy involves partnering with local and regional offices, banks, and service providers to create accessible pathways for property owners to tap into home improvement resources, such as those offered by DHCD, SERCAP, and USDA Rural Development. By strategically aligning program waitlists and the eligible uses for funds, resources can be distributed more efficiently and effectively. Further enhancing this strategy, recruiting community ambassadors will be key to expanding awareness and building trust within local communities. These ambassadors can play a crucial role in informing residents about available programs and resources. Additionally, developing a robust applicant pipeline will enable a more targeted approach to addressing housing needs. By implementing a system to “triage” applications, priority can be given to those with the highest needs, ensuring that the most critical cases receive timely attention and resources. This comprehensive approach aims to streamline efforts, avoiding duplication and ensuring that home repair and rehabilitation programs reach those most in need. 2023/24 WPPDC Housing Study Regional Analysis - 5  60,883 Residents 24,663 Households Pittsylvania County 76.6% & City of Danville Homeowners In 2021, Pittsylvania County was home to 60,883 residents, residing in 24,663 households. Of the county residents, 1,813 residents lived in its three towns. 42,556 The home ownership rate is high at over 76 percent. Around 40 percent of Residents households have at least one member that is over 65 years old. In the same year, 42,556 people (18,590 households) called the City of Danville home. The home ownership rate in Danville is considerably lower than the 18,590 county at only 51 percent. The number of households with at least one person Households over 65 is only slightly lower than Pittsylvania County. These localities are connected in both housing and employment. The City of 51% Danville being the traditional employment center and the county offering Homeowners suburban and rural housing opportunities. The majority of residents in both localities commute to work within their own locality or to the other. The median sale price in 2022 for Pittsylvania County was $167,000. The City of Danville was slightly lower at $139,900. Both communities have seen a drastic increase in sale prices since 2019. Homes stay on the market for about 2 months in both localities. Steadily increasing median price and decreasing days on the market show an increase in housing demand. Median Sold Price  Source: VCHR Tabulation  of 2014-2022    MLS Data    2023/24 WPPDC Housing Study Pittsylvania County & City of Danville - 1  Median rent is similar in both localities, with the county being $831 and the city $770. Increases in rent are also evidence of increasing demand, however increasing rent can be challenging for some residents. A household is considered housing cost-burdened when they need to spend more than 30 percent of their income on housing. In Pittsylvania County, 38.3% of renters are cost-burdened and in the City of Danville 42.6% of renters are cost-burdened. Median Gross Rent  Source: VCHR  tabulation of 2015-2022 ACS    5-year, not  adjusted   Stakeholders at both the City of Danville and Pittsylvania County discussed concerns about the age of the homes in their localities. In the city, 48 percent of the housing inventory was built prior to 1959. The county’s inventory for the same period is considerably smaller at 20 percent. Fewer than 1,000 new housing units have been built in the city since 2000. In the county, 5,003 units were constructed after 2000.                   Source: VCHR tabulation of 2021 ACS 5-year Estimates 2023/24 WPPDC Housing Study Pittsylvania County & City of Danville - 2  Improve housing conditions—especially Pittsylvania County Strategies in manufactured home parks—with new initiatives. Pittsylvania County has an interest in improving housing conditions to increase the quality of living for residents in manufactured home parks. Manufactured home parks with deteriorated living units are common place in the county. This housing has its challenges but plays an important role in affordable housing for the county’s lower-income residents. The county government can seek out funding for home repairs through local foundations and state and local grants. Proactive code enforcement can identify homes in need of repair and make residents aware of resources. Partnerships with local non-profits and housing agencies that are experienced in housing rehabilitation would play a critical role in this effort. Pair zoning ordinance update with new material and resources to educate developers, property owners, and public about changes. The county plans to adopt a new zoning ordinance in 2024. A comprehensive outreach plan that provides information regarding changes and opportunities created by the new zoning ordinances will help to increase awareness. It is critical to keep builders, property owners, and other stakeholders up to date on new ordinances and regulations for housing development. Public engagement will play a critical role in the implementation of this initiative. Along with these changes it is important to streamline the permitting process and train county staff on new ordinance and polices. Explore adopting best practices from across the state to fully leverage the IDA’s powers to incentivize new housing affordable to workers. There is a growing connection between industrial, economic, and housing development. As employment opportunities increase so does the need for housing. Pittsylvania County’s Industrial Development Authority (IDA) can play a valuable role in housing development. This effort may include: • Forecast housing demand from expected job growth. Calculate affordable rent and purchase prices for the most common occupations using their respective wage and salary data. • Investigate housing programs and financial incentives offered by other IDAs. • Explore combining housing incentive efforts into regional initiatives with Danville. 2023/24 WPPDC Housing Study Pittsylvania County & City of Danville - 3  Expand current City of Danville Strategies housing collaboration meetings to include additional partners and strengthen relationships. A collaboration between the City of Danville staff, Danville Redevelopment and Housing Authority (DRHA), and the Danville Neighborhood Development Corporation (DNDC) has already increased productivity on specific housing items. The expansion of the current group could lead to increased collaboration with other stakeholders. Quarterly meetings with the IDA, council members, developers, builders, and other stakeholders would not only help to keep all parties up to date on housing programs and market trends, but also keep the entire group focused on the same goals. Support the creation of a new Community Development Authority to spur investments in housing and other assets in the Schoolfield District. The New Schoolfield District plan establishes a common vision for the Dan River Mills site, the Schoolfield Village neighborhood, and the Main Street Corridor. While also addressing economic development, community character, and other important elements, the plan emphasizes the importance of preventing residential displacement and securing equitable housing opportunities for both current and future residents. The plan recommends a new Community Development Authority (CDA) as an “implementation vehicle” to help achieve this goal. State law (§15.2-5152 et seq.) CDAs to serve as special taxing districts for supporting targeted improvements and services in a particular area. CDAs also have the ability to finance their investments by issuing bonds, which are repaid via special assessments or tax-increment financing collected by the locality. These bonds would not be a part of the City’s existing debt obligations. The CDA could support housing efforts in the Schoolfield District by purchasing and preparing sites for residential development, and funding upgrades or expansions of water and sewer lines to lower development costs. However, other important services that would help stabilize current residents — such as home repair and weatherization programs — are not explicitly mentioned in the CDA enabling legislation. The City may want to explore asking the General Assembly to expand the powers of CDAs to include broader housing efforts. Encourage use of community land trusts, cooperative ownership, and other alternatives within current housing programs and initiatives. Household demographics, living preferences, and home prices are all changing in Danville. This has caused a shortage in the availability of housing to meet the needs of certain groups, especially current residents. The city can look to alternative housing models to help with that need. Researching innovative alternative models, best practices, use of the Virginia Statewide Community Land Trust, community engagement, can help determine which models would be most beneficial in Danville. 2023/24 WPPDC Housing Study Pittsylvania County & City of Danville - 4  54,829 Residents 22,033 Households Franklin County 80% As of 2021, Franklin County was home to 54,829 people making up 22,033 Homeowners households. Compared to other localities in the region, Franklin County’s rate of households that own their home is the highest in the region at 80 percent. The county has a substantial senior population with 41.5 percent of households having one or more individuals who are 65 or over. A household is considered housing cost-burdened when they need to spend more than 30 percent of their income on housing. In Franklin County 4,366 households fall in that category. Of those, 40 percent spend over 50 percent of their income on housing. With fixed or limited incomes, 41 percent of cost burdened households include at least one senior member. 4,366 Franklin County Households are Considered Housing Cost-burdened. Of the working residents in Franklin County 39 percent are employed within the county and 19.2 percent work in the City of Roanoke. The largest number of workers commuting into the County reside in Henry County and Martinsville.         Source: VCHR tabulation of 2021 ACS 5-year Estimates 2023/24 WPPDC Housing Study Franklin County - 1 Franklin County is currently experiencing a housing shortage. In 2022, the median number of days a house was on the market was 7.5. This is substantially below the 30-60 days that would reflect a balanced market. This tight market can be the result of a strong demand for housing and limited inventory. A highly competitive market can make it extremely difficult for first time homebuyers to purchase homes. Median Days on the Market (DOM)  Source: VCHR  Tabulation  of 2014-2022 Roanoke  Valley Association I N DAY S  of REALTORS®    From 2017 to 2022 the monthly median gross rent1 in Franklin County increased from $660 to $8092 . Less than 2.1% of all housing units in the county are for rent or for sale. The increase in rent and the low vacancy rates indicate a possible rental unit shortage and a demand for more units. County staff described extremely long wait lists for Housing Choice Vouchers, indicating that affordable rental units are in high demand. Median Gross Rent  Source: VCHR  tabulation of 2014-2022 ACS 5-year, not adjusted  1 Gross rent includes basic utilities. 2 Nominal increase,  not adjusted for inflation. 2023/24 WPPDC Housing Study Franklin County - 2  Set the comprehensive Franklin County Strategies plan update for success by assessing zoning best practices from peer localities. Franklin County is currently updating its comprehensive plan. This update is the perfect opportunity for the County to support the need for housing and remove barriers to development. Through zoning reform and ordinance updates, the county can better address its housing needs. By identifying best practices in other Virginia localities, Franklin County can successfully create an environment that helps support housing development. Create a suite of development incentives to spur lower-cost housing development. The majority of builders in Franklin County are currently developing higher-end housing. While housing development of any kind will benefit the county, focusing on one level of housing does not address the overall housing needs of the county. Many counties have utilized incentives to encourage the development of lower and mid-level housing. By researching incentives offered by other Virginia local governments and collaborating with local stakeholders, the County can create a plan that reduces the cost of development and boosts the development of housing that addresses all the county’s needs. Examine and update short-term rental regulations to effectively balance tourism and housing needs. While short-term rentals (STR) help support tourism, they can also contribute to a shortage of housing for the people that work in the community. Community involvement is a critical part of developing regulatory changes that will help preserve residential areas. The approach to these changes should address the rights of the STR owner but also the overall welfare of the community. Working with the community, the County can identify areas where STRs are encouraged or allowed. Aging manufactured home communities face major housing quality challenges and redevelopment pressures. Manufactured home communities are a major source of affordable housing in Franklin County. Very often these communities are deteriorated and create an unhealthy and unsafe living environment. Unfortunately, these communities are often the only option available to lower income renters. Revitalization of these communities can improve standards of living and prevent residents from being displaced. Working with non-profit organizations can often be the solution. 2023/24 WPPDC Housing Study Franklin County - 3  51,077 Residents 20,516 Households Henry County & 72.4% City of Martinsville Homeowners As of 2021, Henry County is home to 51,077 residents that make up 20,516 households. The homeownership rate in the county is 72.4 percent, which is slightly lower but consistent with the other counties in the WPPDC region. The City of 13,476 Martinsville has a smaller population with 13,476 residents (5,656 households). The Residents homeownership rate in Martinsville is considerably less at 57.7 percent. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development the 2023 5,656 median income for the Henry County-Martinsville area is $60,100. Despite and Households increase in the median income, 18.7 percent of the county households spend more than 30 percent of their income on housing and approximately half of those spend more than 50 percent. Martinsville has higher rates with 25.5 percent spending 57.7% more than 30 percent and more that three quarters of those spending more than 50 Homeowners percent. Households experiencing these housing cost burdens may have to choose between housing and other necessities such as food, clothing, and medical care. Median Sold Price The median sale price in Henry County has increased at a steady rate since 2015. In 2021, the median sale price had almost doubled compared to 2014. During the same period, the median number of days a house was on the market decreased from 146.5 to 65, indicating an increasing demand for housing. Like the county, Martinsville’s median sale price has steadily increased since 2015. In 2021, the median sale price had almost doubled the 2014 price. Simultaneously, the median number of days a house was on the market decreased from 158 to 69.5, showing an increasing demand for housing.  Source: VCHR  Tabulation of 2014-2021       MLS Data    2023/24 WPPDC Housing Study Henry County & City of Martinsville - 1  The age of housing in Henry County is distributed relatively consistently between units built prior to 1959 and 2000 with a drop after 2000. The age of housing in the City of Martinsville is distributed differently than the county. Housing unit built prior to 1959 account for 51 percent of housing. Approximately 30 percent was built between 1960 and 1979. Older units usually cost more to heat and cool and require more maintenance and upgrades to retain their full market value. There has been very little development since 1980.                 Source: VCHR tabulation of 2021 ACS 5-year Estimates The majority of workers in both localities work in either Martinsville or Henry County. A small percentage commute to Franklin County, Pittsylvania County, City of Danville, and the City of Roanoke. 2023/24 WPPDC Housing Study Henry County & City of Martinsville - 2  Align comprehensive Henry County Strategies plan update with findings from housing needs assessment. Comprehensive plans are a critical tool to guide the development of communities. The recent housing study identifies current and future housing needs and shows gaps in housing supply and affordability. Utilizing the housing study’s findings, the county can create housing goals and objectives. Once the goals and objectives are established, monitoring of the plan will help keep the plan on-track. Implement a housing awareness campaign to seed more productive housing conversations across the county. Public campaigns are excellent for educating residents, allowing them to better understand the need and benefits of housing development at all levels. Wage data can show the typical occupations that cannot afford market rate housing. Understanding that often respected occupations are unable to afford housing in their communities can deepen conversations about housing. This effort may include: • Assess staff capacity to undertake this work in-house, or consider seeking support from outside consultants. • Connect with potential funders. • Assemble a housing coalition to act as campaign ambassadors. • Launch campaign. 2023/24 WPPDC Housing Study Henry County & City of Martinsville - 3  Outline specific City of Martinsville Strategies objectives and leverage best practices to ensure a new comprehensive plan effectively promotes new housing opportunities. The city’s outdated comprehensive plan has created barriers for development. Outdated and contradictory regulation along with lack of uniformity in zoning ordinances, lead to delays and increased costs for developers. A review of the latest comprehensive plan and zoning ordinances can identify outdated elements and inconsistencies. Working with residents, developers and other stakeholders will allow the City to assess how the current practices affect them. Develop strategic process for redeveloping scattered site properties through public-private partnerships. The City of Martinsville currently has 40 buildable lots that are scattered throughout the city. These properties are an opportunity to add new homes to unused lots. The city should publish a Request for Proposal for private developers requesting innovative housing projects, offer incentives to reduce the cost of construction and make the project more appealing, and establish a review committee to ensure that projects align with the city’s housing and community objectives. 2023/24 WPPDC Housing Study Henry County & City of Martinsville - 4  Develop educational City of Martinsville Strategies materials and strategies for increasing understanding of housing affordability. Most of the community in Martinsville is unaware of the city’s housing needs and the potential solutions to those needs. This creates barriers and slows the efforts to address the issues. Reaching out the public by using educational materials that clearly and concisely explain the housing situation, meetings with community advocates, and creating broad and easy access to the information will create a better understanding in the community. This can help promote progress and increase the pace of development. Develop strategic plan for effectively deploying City entities to leverage unique powers, simplify processes, and reduce duplicative efforts. The recreation of the City’s Industrial Development Authority (IDA) and creation of a land bank offers opportunities that could support housing development in Martinsville by utilizing powers granted to these types of entities by state law. A dedicated City staff along with other stakeholders can examine and coordinate activities. This effort may include: • Developing a plan that outlines a collaborative approach for property acquisitions, financial incentives, and other activities. • Identifying and prioritizing potential sites for residential development. • Establish regular communication to prevent duplicative efforts. • Explore capacity building grants from state and local funders. 2023/24 WPPDC Housing Study Henry County & City of Martinsville - 5  17,661 Residents 7,732 Households Patrick County 78% As of 2021, 17,661 people (7,732 households) lived in Patrick County. The County Homeowners has a high homeownership rate of 78 percent. Although Patrick County has the second smallest population in the WPPDC region, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development it has the second highest median income at $73,500 in 2023. In 2021, the county also had the lowest poverty level of the other five localities in the study. Even with the low poverty level, 1,235 households have difficulty making monthly housing payments. Of those, 1,115 households spend more than 50% of their income on housing costs. This may cause them to choose between housing and other necessities. The median gross rent in the county was $668 per month in 2022. The increase in rent between 2018 and 2022 indicates a need for rental housing. County stakeholders discussed limited availability of housing, especially rental housing, that is attractive to prospective residents and workers. Median Gross Rent  Source: VCHR  tabulation of 2015-2022 ACS 5-year, not  adjusted   2023/24 WPPDC Housing Study Patrick County - 1  The median sale price of homes if Patrick County has increased at a steady rate since 2015. In 2021 the median sale price has almost doubled the 2014 price. In the same time period, the number of days that a house was on the market decreased from 188.5 to 78. This shows an increasing demand for homeownership. Median Sold Price Source: VCHR  Tabulation  of 2014-2021 MLS Data    Many of Patrick County homes were built over 40 years ago. These homes likely need significant maintenance and energy efficiency improvements. Improvements to older housing can help alleviate cost burden among residents and lower energy cost. An estimated 1,627 households in Patrick County have high energy costs. There are 691 households that have low incomes and high energy costs which result in an energy burden.          Source: VCHR tabulation of 2021 ACS 5-year Estimates 2023/24 WPPDC Housing Study Patrick County - 2  Improve existing Patrick County Strategies housing conditions Local governments can play a pivotal role in accelerating the repair and rehabilitation of deteriorating homes. This involves establishing partnerships with local nonprofits and housing agencies that have expertise in home rehabilitation. The local government can also serve as a vital link between homeowners and funding sources, including state and federal grants earmarked for home repairs. Moreover, the local government can initiate proactive code enforcement to identify homes most in need of repair, particularly in manufactured home communities. By working closely with community leaders, the local government can ensure that residents are fully informed about the resources and assistance programs available to them. Leverage water/sewer service expansion An upcoming expansion of public water and sewer utilities will inherently make residential development easier and more attractive to builders. The County can take advantage of this opportunity to encourage developers to focus their efforts on smaller “starter” homes that are easier for existing residents to purchase. In lieu of any new zoning ordinance or formal growth management regulations, the County can proactively design utility service policies to serve this goal. The primary tool for the County will be its power to issue hookup permits for new homes. For areas included in the service expansion, the County can design permit fees and the application review process to incentivize preferred housing types. The County can also find ways to align its subdivision regulations to supplement these measures. For example, current regulations require new lots served by water and sewer to be at least one-half acre. This lot size minimum could be reduced (to one third or one quarter) to coincide with applicable criteria created for favorable permits. Offering lower or waived application fees, or expedited approvals, could also be offered to proposals that would increase the supply of lower-cost homes within the service area. Increase Piedmont Community Services capacity to develop housing Persons with physical or intellectual disabilities, or who have mental health or substance use challenges, have few appropriate housing options. Patrick County is not immune to this nationwide problem. In Virginia, Community Service Boards (CSBs) are often the primary provider of services for this population. Piedmont Community Services (PCS), the CSB serving Patrick County and nearby localities, successfully operates several properties that provide supportive housing. However, none are located in Patrick County. Patrick County can help PCS expand its offerings in the county with a range of technical and financial assistance. Patrick County can help PCS identify and assess potential locations for new housing, to include both vacant parcels and existing residential properties that are on the market. If PCS moves forward with a specific property, Patrick County can offer incentives to help lower costs and streamline the process. These might include reducing or waiving fees for permits and utility hookups, proactively addressing any permit barriers, and reducing property taxes in accordance with applicable state enabling authority. The EDA could also offer grants to support for property acquisition, site planning, and other pre-development costs 2023/24 WPPDC Housing Study Patrick County - 3 www.WestPiedmontPDC.org  STAFF REPORT MEETINGS: May 14, 2024 TITLE: 2nd Reading and Adoption of Amendment to Zoning Ordinance Related to Building Height Restrictions and Handicapped Parking Space Requirements STAFF RESPONSIBLE Keith Holland, Community Development Director BACKGROUND/HISTORY Following extensive discussion and review, the Martinsville Planning Commission determined that the current building height restrictions in the existing Zoning Ordinance can potentially have a negative impact on development within the city. Current height restrictions would not allow the new Holiday Inn Express on Commonwealth. Many localities have removed building height restrictions, as modern building and fire codes have made buildings safer. Historically, many localities placed maximum building heights to the length of existing fire truck ladders. It was also determined that the handicap space requirements are redundant in the Zoning Ordinance, as accessible parking requirements are already addressed by the Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC). The Planning Commission initiated the process of amending these sections of the Zoning Ordinance by scheduling a public hearing for March. The Martinsville Planning Commission held a legally advertised public hearing on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, to make a recommendation to City Council regarding proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance that relate to the removal of building height restrictions and handicap space requirements. POLICY EXPLANATION The Martinsville Planning Commission voted to recommend APPROVAL of the proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance by a vote of 5-0, allowing for the removal of building height restrictions and handicap space requirements. City Council held a public hearing on April 23, 2024 with a first reading. No public comments were received related to this amendment. A 2nd reading is required before approval. FISCAL IMPACT/FUNDING SOURCE 1  STAFF REPORT None AVAILABLE BUDGET PURCHASE AMOUNT NA NA ACTION REQUESTED/ALTERNATIVES 1. Adopt the Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance as presented on April 23, 2024 2. Table the matter for further review 3. Reject the attached Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance ATTACHMENTS: 1. None 2  City of Martinsville Amendments to City Zoning Ordinance – 2nd Reading and Adoption May 14, 2024 A CITY WITHOUT LIMITS  Purpose • Zoning Amendment Procedures (Section VII.-Zoning Amendments)  To allow for future changes to the city’s zoning ordinance  To accommodate broad changes that affect the city as a whole  To accommodate specific proposals on individual parcels • Removal of Building Height Restrictions  Current building height restrictions would prohibit future develop in the city, including the proposed Holiday Inn Express on Commonwealth Blvd.  Building height restrictions are not required in the Zoning Ordinance as they are regulated by the Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC) and fire code.  Elimination of regulation redundancy • Removal of Handicap Space Requirements  Handicap Space Requirements are currently regulated by the Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC) and are not necessary in the Zoning Ordinance.  Elimination of regulation redundancy  Ordinance Sections Containing Amendments Section I. Administration and Enforcement Section XIV. C-UB, Uptown Business District Section III. General Provisions Section XV. C-C, Corridor Commercial District Section IV. Site Plan Regulations Section XVI. ED-MA, Economic Development District- Medical & Academic Section V. Nonconformity Section XVII. ED-G, Economic Development Section IX. R-E, Estate Residential District District- General Section X. R-N, Neighborhood Residential Section XVIII. ED-I, Economic Development District District - Intensive Section XI. R-C, City Residential District Section XIX. TND-O, Traditional Neighborhood Development Overlay District Section XII. R-T, Residential Transitional District Section XX. EC-O, Entrance Corridor Overlay Section XIII. C-N, Neighborhood Commercial District District Section XXIII. Off-Street Parking and Loading Questions?