City Council voted Tuesday to rezone four properties in the Five Forks area to a classification that will be a better fit for future development of this commercial corner.
The properties are located at 254 Jefferson Ave., 400 and 406 Jefferson St. and 806 Pine St. The new classification is central business commercial, which will allow for mixed use of the properties by right and special permit.
Previously, the properties had multiple zoning classifications. The Danville Housing and Redevelopment Authority, which owns the properties, wanted each property to have the same zoning classification, and it asked for the central business commercial classification.
A city study completed in May 2014 identified the importance of this commercial corner to the Old West End neighborhood and the need for its revitalization. The study included a conceptual plan for the corner but did not set a development plan.
In other action, Council voted to:
• grant a special use permit to Grace and Main Fellowship for an urban agriculture operation on 1.15 acres of property at the end of Moffett Street. The property is currently vacant. The operation will include fruit and vegetable gardens, three chickens, a chicken coop, a chicken run, two bee boxes, a tool shed, a carport/covered workspace, and spaces for local community members to participate in growing their own food.
• adopt an updated comprehensive land use plan that establishes goals for future land use decisions.
• adopt code changes to comply with new state requirements for the granting of variances.
• accept grants for three airport projects, one of which involves redesigning the primary taxiway to better accommodate large corporate jets.
• apply for grants to subsidize transit services for seniors and disabled persons.
• accept the annual reports by the Finance Department on delinquent and improperly assessed taxes.
• authorize the city’s Transportation Department to apply for nearly $1 million in state and federal money to assist in operating the Danville Transit System and financing several capital projects, including the replacement of three buses and the rebuilding of two trolleys.
• move its next regular business meeting from Tuesday, Oct. 6, to Thursday, Oct. 8.
Following its business session, Council held a work session to review monthly financial statements and discuss a purchase power agreement for Schoolfield Dam generation. Council also discussed a request by Virginia Bank & Trust to support an amended loan to give Sky Valley Foods an additional $500,000 for additional equipment for its operation in Airside Industrial Park. Council will vote on this matter at its next regular meeting.
River City TV airs live all Council business sessions. The first rebroadcast will be at 8 p.m. Thursday. Watch it on cable (Comcast channel 10 and Gamewood channel 122) or streaming at RiverCityTV.org. The taped broadcast is available now on the City’s YouTube channel -- DanvilleVAGov.
River City TV does not air work sessions, but they are open to the public.