DEPARTMENT: Planning and Community Development
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Bridgett White
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
A Resolution making the necessary prerequisite declarations of 13 areas to be included in a hereinafter City Council approved Urban Renewal Plan associated with the 2017 Neighborhood Improvements Bond Proposition
SUMMARY:
A Resolution making the necessary prerequisite declarations of 13 areas to be included in a hereinafter City Council approved Urban Renewal Plan associated with the 2017 Neighborhood Improvements Bond Proposition
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Neighborhood Improvements Bond proposition provides for City investment resulting in private and nonprofit-sector development of affordable housing. The proposed $20 million ballot initiative is one component of the $850 million Bond package that will go forward for public vote on May 6, 2017. Voter approval of the Neighborhood Improvements Bond proposition will allow the City to conduct the following activities using Bond funds:
• Land acquisition
• Demolition of dilapidated/unusable structures
• Right-of-way improvements
• Extension/expansion of utilities
• Remediation of hazards such as asbestos or lead-based paint
Chapter 374 of the Texas Local Government Code requires the identification of specific geographic areas based on state requirements where Bond funds can be spent. Per the statute, the areas identified are incorporated into an Urban Renewal Plan that must be approved by City Council prior to the Bond Election.
The Neighborhood Improvement Areas (or “Areas”) must meet one or more of the following State criteria:
• Dilapidated, deteriorated, or obsolete structures or improvements
• Inadequate streets, street layout, or accessibility
• Unsafe or unsanitary conditions
• Open space/vacant lots
Staff identified Areas based on both State criteria and strategic considerations including:
• Contains publicly-owned parcels
• Located in an area eligible for additional leveraged funding sources
• Near public transportation
• Located within a SA Tomorrow Regional Center
• Will not result in residential displacement
Following a successful election, the City will contract with the Office of Urban Redevelopment San Antonio (OUR SA), which will execute the program activities at the direction of the City Council.
ISSUE:
Five Community Bond Committees were formed to provide recommendations to the City on the major components of the 2017-2022 Bond Program: Streets, Bridges & Sidewalks; Drainage & Flood Control; Parks, Recreation & Open Space; Facility Improvements; and Neighborhood Improvements. Each Committee is composed of thirty Council-appointed members and two co-chairs.
The Neighborhood Improvements Community Bond Committee was convened to evaluate staff-identified Areas and prepare a recommendation to City Council. During their review, the Committee could amend the boundaries of staff-identified Areas, delete Areas from further consideration, and suggest additional Areas that meet eligibility criteria. The Neighborhood Improvements Bond Committee met on the following dates to review the staff-recommended Areas and to develop their recommendation:
• Meeting #1: October 6, 2016
• Meeting #2: October 20, 2016
• Bus Tour of the Recommended Areas: October 29, 2016
• Meeting #3: November 3, 2016
• Meeting #4: November 17, 2016
• Meeting #5: December 8, 2016
At the first meeting on October 6, 2016, staff presented its initial list of 15 Neighborhood Improvement Areas:
|
1. Near West-Five Points (Districts 1 & 5) |
9. Former Fire Academy Site (District 5) |
|
2. Near East (District 2) |
10. West Side (District 5) |
|
3. Lincoln Park-Arena District (District 2) |
11. Edgewood (District 6) |
|
4. East Southcross (District 3) |
12. Northwest I-10 at Loop 410 (District 7) |
|
5. Southeast (District 3) |
13. Wurzbach (District 8) |
|
6. Roosevelt-Mission Reach (District 3) |
14. Blanco at West (District 9) |
|
7. South Park (District 4) |
15. Naco Perrin (District 10) |
|
8. Pearsall (District 4) |
|
At the Committee’s November 3, 2016 meeting, members requested that staff consider an additional area in District 7. At their request, an additional area was added:
• Area #16: Culebra at Callahan (District 7)
During the November 17, 2016 meeting, the Committee voted to remove the following four Areas from their recommendation to the City:
• Area #9: Former Fire Academy Site (District 5)
• Area #12: Northwest I-10 at Loop 410 (District 7)
• Area #14: Blanco at West (District 9)
• Area #15: Naco Perrin (District 10)
Following the November 17, 2016 meeting, members requested that staff consider an additional area in District 8 to possibly address the pending closure of the Oak Hollow Mobile Home Park. At their request, an additional area was added:
• Area #17: Oak Hollow (District 8)
During the December 8, 2016 meeting the Committee finalized its review of the Areas and formalized its recommendation to City Council to include the following 13 areas:
|
Area # |
Area Name |
District |
|
Area #1 |
Near West-Five Points |
1 |
|
Area #2 |
Near East |
2 |
|
Area #3 |
Lincoln Park-Arena |
2 |
|
Area #4 |
East Southcross |
3 |
|
Area #5 |
Southeast |
3 |
|
Area #6 |
Roosevelt-Mission Reach |
3 |
|
Area #7 |
South Park |
4 |
|
Area #8 |
Pearsall |
4 |
|
Area #10 |
West Side |
5 |
|
Area #11 |
Edgewood |
6 |
|
Area #13 |
Wurzbach |
8 |
|
Area #16 |
Culebra at Callaghan |
7 |
|
Area #17 |
Oak Hollow |
8 |
The Committee recommendation is scheduled for presentation to City Council B Session on December 14, 2016.
After City Council approval of the Neighborhood Improvement Areas, staff will draft an Urban Renewal Plan, which will serve as the basis for the activities to be conducted as part of the Neighborhood Improvements Bond program. A public hearing is required for citizens to provide feedback on the Plan, which will be held in January prior to City Council consideration for adoption of the final Urban Renewal Plan. The Urban Renewal Plan must be adopted in order for the Neighborhood Improvements initiative to be included in the May 2017 Bond proposition. Staff anticipates presenting the Urban Renewal Plan for City Council consideration and adoption on February 2, 2017 in order to meet the state’s deadline for calling the election.
ALTERNATIVES:
City Council may elect to approve a number of Neighborhood Improvement Areas that is greater or lesser than the 13 recommended Areas. City Council may also elect to alter the boundaries of any of the proposed Areas as appropriate to meet the goals of the Neighborhood Improvements portion of the Bond Program. Alternatively, City Council may elect not to approve the Areas presented, which would adversely affect the City’s ability to meet the statutory requirements necessary to bring forth the Neighborhood Improvements Bond proposition to voters in the May 2017 Election.
FISCAL IMPACT:
To be determined.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends City Council approval of the 13 Neighborhood Improvement Areas for inclusion in an Urban Renewal Plan to meet the legal requirements for inclusion in the proposed 2017 Neighborhood Improvements Bond Proposition.