‘Communication #5 August 13, 2007 City of Port Huron Southside Strategic Year 2000-2005 Update-June 2007CITY OF PORT HURON Southside Strategic Land Use Plan Update - June 2007 GOAL ACTION TAKEN 1. Encourage mixed use developments y Maximize growth impacts | KASS Home occupations Downtown lofts Landscape buffer strips Sidewalks required Developed Access Management Plan - reduce access drives Parking requirements enforced Alley restoration program Prohibit front yard parking 3. Promote single-family housing opportunities 4. Promote existing neighborhoods through redevelopment RNAS S46 Design guidelines for in-fill housing Rezoning to downsize neighborhoods Support neighborhood programs Support non-profit partnerships CDBG grants to neighborhood programs Landscaping requirements on site plans CDBG funds for historic residential renovations 5. Minimize blight 6. Promote commercial development Ss < Established a blight division Procedures set for handling code cases and abandoned structures Reduced number of vacant, blighted properties CDBG grants and incentives to maintain property Established neighborhood associations, neighborhood watch groups Created the Adopt-A-Block program - neighborhood clean-up events Re-zone areas to encourage mix-use Created a NEZ downtown Historic district tax credits Cool Cities Initiative Created Pedestrian Retail Overlay District 7._Improve public recreation areas SANA 84 New recreation plan developedGOAL ACTION TAKEN Promote public-private partnerships Development of Desmond Landing Expanded the Bridge-to-Bay Trail ‘Vantage Point - private development Re-zoned industrial land to commercial Re-codified City's Code of Ordinances Revised zoning ordinance 8. Promote development of waterfront SARKIS 8 9. Revise City ordinances Southside Strategic Land Use Plan - Update Page 2 of 14 June 2007CITY OF PORT HURON Southside Strategic Land Use Plan Update June 2007 In November 1998, the City of Port Huron held a unique event entitled "Southside Summit." The purpose of the summit was to share information, concerns, and ns for the City’s Southside neighborhoods. Several issues were discussed. One important issue was the lack of a plan for the use of vacant land south of the Black River. Several related issues emerged that effect the quality of life for area residents that need to be considered when developing a land use plan: > Safe and affordable housing > Adequate and effective educational institutions > Accessible and affordable health care > Economic vitality and livable jobs > Adequate and accessible recreational facilities, Consideration of these matters and review of the issues brought forward by the citizens of Port Huron during the public forums have resulted in the development of specific goals and objectives within a five-year Strategic Land Use Plan for the Southside. A land use plan is a short-term (5-10 years) advisory tool to guide the use or reuse of existing land within a specified area, ‘The land use plan in itself is neither a legal document nor an ordinance that must be followed; it is merely a guide in order to assist in decisions regarding rezoning requests or to help prioritize development plans. In May 1999, the City Couneil authorized the Planning Department to develop a work plan and meet with an Advisory Committee consisting of community stakeholders to review demographic data, vacant land inventories, infrastructure plans, and related information, Throughout the summer of 1999, the Advisory Committee worked together with planning staff to sponsor four additional public forums to recognize community issues and develop goals for the city's Southside. In February and March of 2000, the Advisory Committee provided a draft Southside Land Use Plan to the Planning Commission and the City Council for their review and approval The SLUP identified the issues, and proposed general goals and specitic objectives over the next five years as a guide for development in the area, Southside Strategic Land Use Plan - Update Page 3 of 14 June 2007ASSUE: MORE HOUSING OPPOR TUNITIES, PARTICULARLY SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES, AND NEIGHBORHOOD PRESERVATION Goal #1: Encourage appropriate mixed land use and development to enhance existing neighborhoods and promote positive growth and redevelopment. Objectives: @ Restructure definition of "Neighborhood Business District" within the zoning ordinance to outline criteria for consideration within older established neighborhoods. Results: Modifications to the zoning ordinance provided a more comprehensive listing of allowable neighborhood businesses: ~ Another change to the ordinance included the development of a ' home occupation’ as a permitted use within residential neighborhoods. ~ Altered zoning ordinance to allow for development of loft residential units above commercial buildings within the Central Business District, 2. Review and modify section of zoning ordinance regarding the granting of permitted uses after special approvals, including impact guidelines to be established and the clarification of transfer procedures of a use permit from one owner to another. Results: Ordinance revised to clarify transfer procedures of special use permits from property owner to new buyer in order to encourage long-term investments. Goal #2: Regulate growth and development to minimize negative impacts on existing neighborhoods, Objectives: @ Changes to the zoning ordinance to require development and review of a landscape plan for green belts/buffer strips between conflicting zoning districts prior to site plan approval (new construction or expansion), elevations for review, and infrastructure plans as part of some site plans, Results: Zoning ordinance altered to include these requirements prior to site plan approval, 2. Require specific criteria for screening of parking lots in commercial, industrial, and high- density multi-family complexes. Southside Strategic Land Use Plan - Update Page 4 of 14 June 2007,Results: Zoning ordinance also modified to require landscaping plans and buffer plans to be submitted with site plan for review and approval. © Through the zoning ordinance, require new commercial development to install sidewalks as appropriate, and that all in-fill housing include sidewalks if existing at adjacent properties. Results Zoning ordinance now Tequires sidewalks to be installed in all new commercial developments and at in-fill housing projects if adjacent properties include sidewalks. 4. Restrict curb cuts on major streets as much as possible. Encourage use of access drives and shared entrances along commercial strip developments. Results: Adopted an "Access Management Plan" with collaboration between MDOT and Fort Gratiot Township that limits the number of curb cuts and access driveways during “new construction/development along M-25 (Pine Grove) corridor. @ Discourage new development that lacks adequate parking spaces, including conversion of residential units to multi-dwelling units through site plan review and administration procedures, Results: Developments of new residential rental units are now not permitted without conformance to the zoning ordinance and adequate parking facilities. fr Review requests for alley vacations on a case-by-case basis. In areas that do not warrant Full alley vacations, allow for minimal area within the center of the alley to be vacated to control unwanted ‘raffie, but not fo discourage use of the alley by residents instead of parking along the street, Results: Alley vacations are no longer strongly encouraged. A complete inventory has been completed of the alleys and their condition. In some cases, a minimal area within the center of the alley may be vacated to control unwanted traffic, but not to discourage use of the alley by residents. ~ Alley restoration programs have been underway utilizing CDBG funds to re-grade and stone many active alleys and as part of neighborhood revitalization projects. ~ Zoning ordinance modifications now include stronger language that does not allow front yard parking. Code Enforcement Inspectors have the ability to write tickets for violations for enforcement of no front yard parking, Southside Strategic Land Use Plan - Update Page 5 of 14 June 2007Goal #3: Promote single-family housing opportunities within existing neighborhoods and the creation of new neighborhoods as it becomes feasible. Objectives. @ Encourage appropriate ‘in-fil!’ housing construction through the use of site plan and elevation reviews, Results: Design guidelines have been developed and incorporated into the Zoning ordinance regarding new construction of residential units within established neighborhoods. ~ The Design Guidelines are scheduled for review during the fall of 2007 and may be further modified to meet the needs of the community. 9. Promote private requests for rezoning of identified residential areas from medium density ("A-1') t0 one and two-family dwellings ("R-1") whenever feasible Results: City Council authorized the re-zoning of several neighborhood areas in the past four years regarding "downsizing" residential areas from medium density (A-1) zones to single and two family (R-1) zones - primarily in Olde Town and the Community Renaissance area. Over 10 blocks of older neighborhoods have been rezoned in order to promote reinvestment and home ownership options | © Coordinate rezoning requests with the City's Neighborhood Preservation Program and other similar projects. Results: Several neighborhoods have been rezoned as part of the City's Neighborhood Preservation Programs such as the City’s residential historic district and the Court Street area, d Continue to support the C 's Neighborhood Preservation Program and similar programs by non-profit groups, Southside Strategic Land Use Plan - Update Page 6 of 14 June 2007Results The City has partnered, in the past, with several community groups to provide a comprehensive list of services to our neighborhoods. This includes, but is not limited to, Olde Town projects, Revitalizing Port Huron programs, Community Renaissance Area, Mercy Hospital Neighborhood programs, assistance to Habitat for Humanity, Renaissance South Phase III Neighborhood development (22 new housing sites) @ Continue to financially support the Port Huron Neighborhood Housing Corporation's (PHNHC) Affordable Housing Program and the City Rehabilitation Programs within Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. Results City Council has continued to authorize allocation of CDBG funds to housing rehabilitation Programs, down payment assistance programs, neighbothiood clean up programs, infrastructure, and allocation of HOME funds to PHNHC ‘s Affordable Housing Programs. f Continue to support new housing developments for the creation of single-family homes and the formation of new neighborhoods through use of acquired vacant land, grants, and Jinancial incentives. Encourage completion of Renaissance South through construction of infrastructure during the Spring of 2000 and encourage research into similar support for housing development within Moak Street to Nern Street, between 30th and 32nd Streets Results: Renaissance South Phase III is complete and all 22 housing units are sold. The total number of new housing units created within Renaissance South is 96. The development of a new neighborhood within the Moak Street to Nern Street between 30th and 32nd Street is currently on hold due to infrastructure needs, CSO project work underway, wetland issues and lack of funding for development of area. & Revise the existing zoning ordinance to require site plan review on new subdivisions to include landscape plans, elevations, and sidewalks. Results: The zoning ordinance has been amended to include landscape plans, elevations, and sidewalks on new subdivisions proposed. A recent example of this is the Oak Crest Homes development. Southside Strategic Land Use Plan - Update Page 7 of 14 Tune 2007Goal #4: Promote preservation of existing neighborhoods through redevelopment principles as feasible, Objectives @ Continue to support the City's Neighborhood Preservation Program with allocation of CDBG funds for a minimum of vo neighborhood preservation projects within the next five years, Result The City, as an active partner, has supported neighborhood preservation programs through grant allocations -- specifically in the Community Renaissance Area (Woodrow Wilson School) and the Mercy Hospital Atea during the past three years and continues to work within the Olde Town Neighborhood. &. Revise the zoning ordinance to include requirements for landscape plans between conflicting zoning districts and various amendments and corrections 10 encourage redevelopment in existing neighborhoods and to promote private investment, Resul The zoning ordinance has been revised to require a greenbelt as a buffer zone between conflicting zoning districts as a way to minimize impact and enhance residential areas. © Research incentives that may be feasible for the City to offer to investors and stakeholders in the restoration of older neighborhoods Results: The City approved a Neighborhood Enterprise Zone (NEZ) that provides state tax incentives to investors who develop residential units within the downtown area. The city also reminds investors of the Historic Tax Credits available when renovating homes within our two state designated historic districts. 4 Encourage development of historic residential districts and continue to support restoration work with CDBG or other federal grant funds. Results: CDBG funds have been set aside for the last five years to provide a Facade Grant Program, which provides funding towards the exterior restoration of existing homes in our older neighborhoods. The City is seeking financial assistance to complete required studies and research that will create two additional residential historic dis Southside Strategic Land Use Plan - Update Page 8 of 14 June 2007Goal #5: Minimize blighting influences by controlling vacant land and abandoned vacant buildings, Objectives: a. Review and strengthen City ordinances regarding the identification, process, and procedure for ‘red-tagging' dilapidated buildings. Results: The City put into place a written procedure for red tagging vacant and abandoned homes, This procedure has been coordinated with the water department. In addition, the City has cstablished a "Blight Division" with a full-time inspector to address ordinance violations and improve neighborhood conditions. The blight ordinance was revised in 2003 and 2005. 4. Incorporate a procedure for establishing code cases and the disposition of property that is identified as a code case in order to eliminate long-term existence of vacani, abandoned, and derelict structures Results: A procedure has been established that identifies potential code cases and provides staff and city council with a process to notify the property owner of their responsibility to make repairs and keep the property safe, or proceed as a code case and order demolition if necessary, or court ordered action for repairs. ‘HT 2 2 ¢. Establish a policy and procedures to follow for private purchasers of City-owned, vacant Jand when it may be available. Results: A policy was put into place regarding the disposition of small vacant lots that the city owned. This resulted in many non-buildable parcels being sold for a nominal fee to adjacent property owners as a way to eliminate maintenance costs and to enhance existing property values. The City is currently conducting its second round of inventory analysis and will propose @ Procedure for council's consideration this winter on the disposition of any surplus property. Southside Strategic Land Use Plan - Update Page 9 of 14 June 2007,d. Establish incentives to encourage the upkeep and maintenance of the exterior of residential and commercial facilities Results: Incentives for residential renovations have been strong for the past 20 years through CDBG Programs. The City still struggles with finding appropriate incentives and funding resources for commercial facilities. Private incentives have included facade grants, sign grants, and low-interest loans for the Historic Downtown area, € Develop an “Adopt-Your-Block" program 10 coordinate clean-up campaigns, blight complaints, review of potential code cases, neighborhood beautification programs, etc Results: The City has an Adopt-A-Block Program that coordinates neighborhood clean up events and development of neighborhood associations. The results have been that more than 15 events have taken place in the last five years and more and more neighborhood associations have become an active part of our community. The "Revitalizing Port Huron” campaign has also encouraged events and awareness to community re-investment, ss Southside Strategic Land Use Plan - Update Page 10 of 14 Sune 2007INCREASE DEVELOPMENT OF COMMERCIAL CORRIDORS Goal #6: Promote commercial development along established corridors, particularly 24th ‘Street, 10th Street, and Connor Street. Objective a. Encourage rezoning of small areas that are currently used as existing, non-conforming residential structures, and that are located within established corridors. Results: Re-zoned portions of Lapeer Avenue to CBD to encourage mixed-use retail on the first floor and loft developments on second story. 5. Encourage the rehabilitation of obsolete commercial buildings and the historic restoration of applicable sites through MainSireet Port Huron involvement and research into available financial incentives, Results: Created a Neighborhood Enterprise Zone (NEZ) for tax incentives to facilitate loft development in downtown, offered Historic Tax Credits within the Historie Downtown area, and the Cool Cities Initiative grant received by the state helped create Studio 1219 Art Incubator. ©. Research areas to improve traffic circulation and services along designated commercial corridors that may encourage future development, Resul An Access Management Plan was developed regarding the Pine Grove/M-25 Corridor. Points of access have been limited in order to help alleviate traffic slowdowns and accidents, MDOT has modified timing of signals in several areas, Southside Strategic Land Use Plan - Update Page 11 of 14 June 2007ISSUE IMPROVE ACCESS TO WATERFRONT AND IMPROVE OPEN SPACES FOR RECREATIONAL PURPOSES Goal #7: Improve existing public parks and open spaces for recreational use. Objectives, 4, Review Recreation Plan and make any amendments necessary to allow City to continue to seek any and all state or federal grants for improvements within existing parks. Results: Five-Year Recreation Plan has been updated and submitted to the state for review. Approval of the plan will allow the City to apply for additional grants to maintain the City's parks. b. Review and inventory existing amenities at Southside public parks. Report recommendation of additional needs. Results: Five-Year Recreation Plan completed. c. Review future park department budgets for allocations of funds for additional park amenities. Results: Financially unfeasible at this time. Past five years have included additional maintenance at public parks. d. Encourage the development of a recreational facility through a private for-profit or non- profit organization. Results: ‘The development of Desmond Landing's Vantage Point and Seaway Terminal by Acheson Ventures has provided a wide variety of public events and an exciting yenue for private events. The completion of the new YMCA building south of the Black River is anticipated in 2008. Southside Strategic Land Use Plan - Update Page 12 of 14 June 20072. Inventory non-buildable, vacant lots that are owned by the City. Of those with no value or use to adjacent property owners, inventory remaining green spaces and develop a plan for uses as neighborhood common areas, if feasible. Results: Not financially feasible at this time. Goal #8: Promote development of waterfront property that allows public access, is compatible with neighboring land uses, and the overall enhancement of the community. Objectives: @ Encourage public and private cooperation in development Bridge-to-Bay Trail along waterfront as much as possible. Results: Added two additional sections of the Trail: 1) Vantage Point - public walkway along the mouth of the Black River and along portions of the St. Clair River that were not previously available to the public; 2) Bike path along Merchant Street linking Pine Grove Park to downtown and the St. Clair River. In addition, a non-motorized pathway along the Pine Grove/M-25 Corridor from Hancock to Holland Avenue was developed, 4. Encourage private property owner requests for rezoning along waterfront from incompatible uses ("M-1" or similar) to zoning categories that are complimentary to surrounding land uses Results: Rezoning of Acheson property along St. Clair River from M-1 to CBD has taken place. Southside Strategic Land Use Plan - Update Page 13 of 14 June 2007ISSUE: CREATE GREENBELTS AND GREATER BUFFERS BETWEEN CONFLICTING ZONING DISTRICTS Goal #9: Revise ordinance requirements regarding development standards, Objective a. Requirement minimum size and type of greenbelts, planting strips, or screening between conflicting zoning districts within the zoning ordinance. Results: ‘The zoning ordinance was revised to require minimum landscape elements. 5. Require landscape plan for buffer strips or screening to be part of site plan review process Results: The zoning ordinance was revised to include requirements for land plan, screening, and buffer strips between conflicting zoning districts as part of site plan review by the City for new developments. Southside Strategic Land Use Plan - Update Page 14 of 14 June 2007