Title
Resolution for the Expansion of the Hampton Housing Venture Program to Old North Hampton and Approval of Updates to the Old North Hampton Neighborhood Plan
Purpose
PURPOSE/BACKGROUND:
In 2001, the Old North Hampton Community Plan was developed and adopted by City Council which resulted in significant investments in Y. H.Thomas Center and the surrounding park, a stronger neighborhood organization for several years, and new investments in infrastructure improvements in this neighborhood. The plan was largely based on 1999 community-wide meetings, as well as smaller meetings with block captains from around the neighborhood, and took an asset-based approach that looked to build on the strengths within the community. In 2007, the Old North Hampton Community participated in the North King Street Master Plan process resulting in the North King Street Master Plan. The plan recommended streetscapes for the arterial streets and improvements to the park areas at Y. H. Thomas and in the Easterly Avenue area which is part of Old North Hampton. The plan also recommended infill development between Easterly Avenue, Bethel Avenue and along Rowe Street.
Discussion:
In recent years, Mr. Hugh Bassett, President of the Old North Hampton Community Association (ONHCA) raised concerns over housing conditions within the community and requested that City Council designate Old North Hampton as a Housing Venture Area in order to leverage additional resources to address the housing concerns. Staff from the Community Development Department were asked to assist ONHCA in updating their existing neighborhood plan (2001). A part of the process included exploring the existing assets and challenges in the community to determine if the vision, priorities and/or goals had changed from the previous plan almost 20 years ago. Accordingly, the purpose of this plan update is to reveal the current results of this community's vision, outcomes and strategies to assist in making the decision to designate the Old North Hampton Neighborhood as a Housing Venture Area.
Impact:
The Old North Hampton Leadership team would like to pursue housing options that sustain their diversity by allowing residents to consider long-term commitments to their neighborhood (singles, couples, growing families and seniors being able to remain in Old North Hampton as they transition through these stages).
Recommendation:
Rec
It is recommended to designate the Old North Hampton Neighborhood as a Hampton Housing Venture area in the City of Hampton and adopt updates to the Old North Hampton Neighborhood Plan. It is also recommended that an initial two-year housing implementation plan be developed should Old North Hampton be approved as a Housing Venture Area in the City of Hampton.
Body
WHEREAS, the need to concentrate public investments in housing reinvestment within small geographic areas was established in 2001 with the creation of the Hampton Housing Venture;
WHEREAS, the Old North Hampton neighborhood is bounded by Mercury Boulevard on the North; LaSalle Ave on the West; Patterson, Griffin, and Roosevelt Streets, North Back River Road and I-64 on the South and North King Street on the East;
WHEREAS, City staff met with the residents of the leadership team of the Old North Hampton Neighborhood Association for eighteen months facilitating the review and update of their neighborhood plan to reflect their current priorities;
WHEREAS, during this process the Old North Hampton Neighborhood Association identified its highest priority as housing and voted unanimously to support the designation of the neighborhood as a Hampton Housing Venture area;
WHEREAS, during this process, the Old North Hampton Neighborhood Association unanimously approved their new Old North Hampton Neighborhood Plan; and
WHEREAS, the recommendations in their new neighborhood plan are consistent with the North King Street Master Plan.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Donnie R. Tuck, Mayor of the City of Hampton, Virginia, do hereby designate the Old North Hampton neighborhood as a Hampton Housing Venture area in the City of Hampton, and further, adopt updates to the Old North Hampton Neighborhood Plan.