The Department of Community Development’s Monthly Update December 2009 includes info on the recent public meeting concerning the Manchester Rezoning, the November 23 City Council vote to establish Union Hill as Richmond’s newest Old & Historic District, and information on what constitutes blighted property.

Defining Blight and State Code Requirements

The legal definition of a “blighted property” refers to any individual commercial, industrial, or residential structure or improvement that endangers the public’s health, safety, or welfare because the structure or improvement upon the property is dilapidated, deteriorated, or violates minimum health and safety standards, or any structure or improvement previously designated as blighted pursuant to § 36-49.1:1, under the process for determination of “spot blight.” 
 
A property is generally considered to be blighted if it meets the above definition and also meets the following conditions:

- Vacant and/or boarded for at least one year.
- The subject of complaints.
- No longer being maintained for useful occupancy.
- In a dilapidated condition or lacks normal maintenance or upkeep.
 
The Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code (USBC) establishes minimum regulations to govern the construction and maintenance of buildings and structures.

The provisions of the USBC are based on nationally recognized model building and fire codes published by the International Code Council, Inc. The USBC also contains administrative provisions governing the use of the model codes and establishing requirements for the enforcement of the code by the local building departments and other code enforcement agencies.

You can view the Virginia Maintenance Code here.

From the city’s press release:

Richmond, VA – City of Richmond Chief Administrative Officer Byron C. Marshall, along with Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (DCAO) for Economic and Community Development, Peter H. Chapman, put forth a restructuring plan today that will enable local government to pursue a more comprehensive and strategic approach to economic and community development. “We are announcing the first of several organizational changes that are designed to make the Richmond City Government a much more effective facilitator of both economic development and community revitalization,” Marshall said. “The Mayor has asked for a more competent, responsive and technically proficient administration and I believe the changes being put forth will bring about many of the operational efficiencies he is looking for.”

Central to the changes being announced is the consolidation of the City’s Office of Real Estate Services into a proposed Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD). The Office of Real Estate Services, which has been managing the acquisition, disposition, and leasing of city-owned real estate, will become an important division within DECD. This will allow DECD to fully draw upon and better leverage the city’s valuable real estate assets. It is also proposed that the Department of Community Development be renamed to the Department of Planning (DOP).

“This restructuring will create a more robust and interdisciplinary agency that is fully equipped to undertake a more aggressive redevelopment agenda for Richmond. This approach will help us grow by design and not by default,” said Mayor Dwight C. Jones.

Additionally, the federal grants unit—which administers Community Development Block grants and other U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development dollars—within the Department of Community Development will be shifted to DECD. This will allow all of the city’s real estate and business development financing programs to be managed by a single agency, enabling the city to address the needs of non-profit and for-profit developers as well as other customers more efficiently. This will also allow the renamed Department of Planning (DOP) to focus exclusively on planning functions as well as zoning, inspections, architectural and design issues; which will help DOP build upon the great work it is capable of as demonstrated by the Downtown Master Plan.

To further enable the enhanced focus on planning and implementation, the private property maintenance functions routinely carried out by what was formerly Community Development are being reviewed and the responsibility for grass cutting and refuge removal has been placed with the Department of Public Works where there is an existing parallel effort for public property.

“Now that we’ve had some time to evaluate the revitalization opportunities and challenges confronting Richmond, and best practices for addressing complex urban development needs, it’s clear that these organizational changes make sense. Among other benefits, this consolidation moves us away from the fragmented management of our reinvestment programs, and positions us to establish real momentum as we try to stimulate the type of growth and development that the Mayor, City Council and citizens expect,” said Chapman.

Building on Mayor Jones’ theme of communication, cooperation and collaboration, a Development Council is also being established. The Development Council is designed to bring about increased cross fertilization and coordination of effort and resources among relevant city agencies and authorities. It is envisioned that the Development Council, which will be chaired by Peter Chapman, will include the DECD, DOP, Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority, Richmond Public Schools, Richmond Police Department, the Office of Minority Business Development, the Department of Parks, Recreation & Community Facilities, and the Departments of Public Works and Public Utilities. Based on project need and project interest, other authorities and agencies such as Public Libraries, Public Health, EDA, CDA and the Port of Richmond will work with the Development Council as necessary.

Mr. Chapman noted that the changes being brought about also require some changes in leadership and personnel. Ms. Jane Ferrara, an experienced and respected real estate professional who has served as director of the once stand alone Office of Real Estate Services for four years, will become deputy director and chief operating officer of an integrated DECD. For an indefinite period, Mr. Chapman will assume the duties of the director while continuing in his current role as DCAO. The existing director of Economic Development, Carthan Currin, will be leaving the agency to join a local law firm. The deputy director for Economic Development, Dara Glass, will be leaving to pursue other opportunities as well. The service and contributions of these two have been recognized in many ways and will be appreciated for years to come.