March 28, 2000
To: Charlotte Golar Richie, Director
Department of Neighborhood Services
Via e-mail
Re: Policy and implementation plan for disposition of public property
Dear Ms. Richie:
We are pleased that DND is working to improve the process for public notification of availability of City-owned properties. We would like to contribute several ABN comments on this policy. You may also receive comments from individual member neighborhoods.
We recommend a systematic approach promoting fair opportunity for public property acquisition and development planning. The current process focuses on notice about specific properties advertised for disposition. This favors developers who can find out early about properties and prepare proposals. Further, notice and application processes vary for different types of property, making it difficult for neighborhood residents to participate.
PROVIDE PUBLIC ACCESS TO A COMPREHENSIVE
INVENTORY OF ALL PROPERTY AVAILABLE
Residents could think prospectively about
the possibilities for their neighborhood and for the city
as a whole, rather than considering each lot separately as
it happens to come up for disposition. With the forthcoming
creation of a Planning Department, the City should be
encouraging an attitude of proactive planning in the
community rather than parcel-by-parcel reactive project
review.
PROVIDE ACCESS TO A COMPREHENSIVE ELECTRONIC
DATA BASE
Current maps, lists and data for every area of the city
should be posted on the City's Web Site. DND already
maintains a computerized city-wide property data base. The
Web Site should show property locations, and include all
relevant land use information: other agency jurisdictions,
property description, zoning, environmental hazards, and
other development constraints, etc. The Site should also
provide application, bidding, City and community review
(e.g., time limits) and permitting requirements, as well as
criteria for eligibility to acquire various types of
properties, developed with community input. Transfers of
property between DND and other departments (e.g., Parks and
Recreation, BRA) should be included.
PROVIDE HARD-COPY COMPREHENSIVE LISTS
Updated comprehensive lists should posted
in prominent locations at CityHall and at DND at an
appropriate interval, perhaps monthly, or weekly if that
seems reasonable . Lists should also be produced at
individual requests, for a nominal fee.
To begin the notification system, distribute a broad mailing, to media and all neighborhood organizations, of all available properties and associated information. Community outreach should also be tailored to each neighborhood to assure all interested groups, individuals and newspapers an opportunity to be on the mailing list.
PROVIDE WEEKLY UPDATES
Distribute weekly update-only mailings (paper or
electronic, as desired) to all city-wide and local papers ,
and to all organizations and individuals who place their
names on the mailing list. Some neighborhoods need
translation assistance for non-English-speaking residents,
to make information truly available. Again, individual
requests for updates should be honored.
POST SIGNS ON AVAILABLE PROPERTY
A sign visible from the street should be placed at every
available property , with City contact information.
APPLY SANCTIONS FOR PROCEDURE
VIOLATIONS
Sanctions, e.g., permit withholding and fines, should be
applied when property is obtained or used without proper
process. These sanctions should be publicized with parcel
and proposal information.
BROADEN LEVEL TWO REVIEW CATEGORY
All 1-4 single building housing should receive Level 2
process; impacts of such development may be significant.
Also, make provision for more thorough Level Two treatment
of other properties in the Level One category, if the
community expresses the need; this may be the case for
properties in critical locations, properties with special
environmental problems, etc.
ADD A SECOND COMMUNITY MEETING TO LEVEL TWO
PROCESS
Provide for two public meetings during Level Two process,
to give the community sufficient opportunity to become
familiar with the issues and come to consensus. For cases
where two meeting are not necessary, the community can
choose to expedite the process.
EXTEND THE COMMENT PERIOD
Extend the community comment period to 30 days; 15 days is
not sufficient to accommodate community meeting schedules,
newspaper schedules, and holiday periods. For especially
complex issues, neighborhoods may ask that a longer comment
period be provided.
We hope your system is successful, and that the BRA undertakes a similar notification system to promote fair accesses to their properties.
Sincerely,
Shirley Kressel
President, ABN
cc: Barbara Salfity, DND
Mark Maloney, Director, BRA
City Councilors
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