Revitalization Committee Agenda and Packet 2023 08 23

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Revitalization Commission Minutes July 12, 2023 Page 4 of 8 Commissioner Williams asked if a property owner isn't interested in selling or updating, does the City have any power to require improvement. The Director of Community Development commented on how Historic Preservation Commission is able to address similar situations and noted that the program is an incentive -based, voluntary program under the current ordinance. Commissioner Williams asked how we would go about doing something like that. The Director of Community Development noted that it would require a very large change in the City ordinances and policies. It was noted that some URA's have language requiring property owners to notify them on long-term vacancies. The EV Manager noted that Councilmember Fahey mentioned a program in another city where vacancy fees are in place to incentivize owners to fill the vacancy. Councilmember Leh noted that Tabor might affect any kind of tax. Staff will move ahead with an expanded property improvement program and will bring a draft to LRC in September for review. Resilience & Climate Impacts: There was a discussion around goals for possible Resilience & Climate Impacts programs. Considerations included mitigation from natural disasters, including incentives for more resilient building materials or support for businesses that experience loss. Commissioner Williams suggested a program similar to Fagade Improvement with specific criteria. Commissioner Smith suggested a proactive approach for things like adding sprinkler systems in older buildings. Councilmember Leh supported fire mitigation coverage. Commissioner Harald noted that resilience also includes financial disasters. It was noted that the program should be consistent with what the City at large is considering, and resilience is bigger than property improvements. The EV Manager will research resiliency programs and provide LRC with information to review. It was suggested that this might also be included in the building improvement program. It was also suggested the Interior Code improvements might include PACE energy assessments for eligibility. Commissioner Williams requested DEI participation in a future meeting to discuss how DEI can inform LRC programs. Arts & Culture Encourage and support public art and mural projects in URA to provide sense of place, support local artists and activating underutilized spaces was discussed. The EV Manager asked LRC to provide input for the intent of this program. There was a discussion about different ways to include an Arts & Culture program. It was noted that a lot of URAs don't have this type of program because Cultural Councils provide assistance for arts and culture programs. It was suggested that the expanded Building Improvement Program criteria could include art as part of improvements. Commissioner Williams noted that this is a low-cost, high impact investment that would cultivate relationships with local artist community. She noted that there are many artist groups we can tap into and if we want to cultivate ideas, we could put a call out to artists. Commissioner Williams strongly supports engaging the community and potentially building it into the streetscape. The Director of Community Development suggested that we should focus on streetscape plan to identify locations to spur ideation. Public art is part of cultural council. The EV Manager will Agenda Packet P. 6