Policy
State of the County (Erie County)
Publication Date:
March 11, 2010Written By:
Erie County Executive Chris CollinsSource:
WIVBRead more...
Synopsis:
Erie County’s Executive Chris Collins gave the “State of the County” on Thursday, March 11, 2010. In his statement, Collins outlined the struggles facing the economy and municipalities of the United States. Erie County stands out however as the county will end its 2009 budget year with a $44 million surplus. He attributed this success to the “hard work and dedication of our roughly 5,000 county employees, including my 25 commissioners and directors, who focus on best practices and the efficient delivery of services to county taxpayers.”
Among the many achievements the county has achieved over the year, Collins called out the adoption of the Adaptive Reuse Policy by the Erie County Industrial Development Agency (ECIDA). He noted that this policy is helping to transform Buffalo by providing tax incentives to developers willing to reuse old building stock for commercial and residential use. The policy has brought about nearly $40 million of private investment.
Tyler Adopts Existing Building Code
Synopsis:
The City of Tyler, Texas, adopted new a new code that will help to encourage the reuse of older existing buildings. By approving the International Existing Building Code, the City is providing property owners who possess an older existing building to utilize this new code rather than codes written for new construction. While the IEBC still requires that buildings meet safety standards, the code provides a different method to achieve safety points. A special task force arraigned by the City examined the potential code and ultimately recommended that the City adopt it. Tyler hopes to see the majority of impact in its downtown where there are a number of historic and older buildings. Reuse of the buildings will be less cost-prohibitive while still providing safety as well as revitalizing the downtown.
Smart Growth Planning Grants Announced
Synopsis:
The State of New York’s Environmental Protection Fund Smart Growth Grant Program has announced recipients of a total of $500,000 in funding. The funds will go toward a number of smart growth planning projects in the Hudson Valley. One such project is the development of an adaptive reuse plan/policy. Orange County has been awarded $50,000 to conduct an inventory of vacant buildings in the county. An adaptive reuse plan will then be created to direct growth to existing developed centers to utilize their infrastructure and limit sprawl. These funds and the new policy will benefit the City of Newburgh and the Villages of Maybrook, Montgomery and Walden.
Building Department to Enhance Services, Programs to Promote Development
Synopsis:
In a move to help spur activity in a down economy, the City of Phoenix has approved a number of policy changes and enhancements. One such change is to expand the Adaptive Reuse Program to include buildings up to 100,000 square feet and “big box” retail spaces. Adaptive reuse is a great way to help revitalize and stimulate communities. Phoenix’s investment in this policy furthers this concept. By expanding the buildings covered by this streamlined process, the city acknowledges that there are now a number of large structures becoming vacant due to store closings. These buildings tend to be newer and also are prime locations for new, more walkable reuses.
Abandoned Properties Rehabilitation Act
Synopsis:
New Jersey established an adaptive reuse law that: defines an abandoned property, sets the standards and requirements for an owner of an abandoned property to create and follow a redevelopment plan, creates the ability for the state to take possession of abandoned property and create and follow a redevelopment plan. While the law frames abandoned properties as “nuisances,” it also acknowledges that they have potential value for residential and other uses and should be preserved rather than demolished.
IDA Adaptive Reuse Policy to Benefit Restorations
Synopsis:
The Eire County Industrial Development Agency (ECIDA) passed a new Adaptive Reuse Policy to help encourage the private sector to convert and rehabilitate old structures in the county through tax credits. In order to conform to state law, these tax credits are only available if the project qualifies as a “commercial” project. The ECIDA is encouraging mixed-use conversions that include both commercial and residential components. The potential savings was noted to be as much as 20 percent on construction. There was one vote against the policy, as the board member felt that incentives should be provided to encourage industry as opposed to housing. “New housing is not needed because the region is losing population.”
City Cuts Red Tape for Older Buildings
Publication Date:
November 27, 2009Written By:
Sadie Jo SmokeySource:
The Arizona RepublicRead more...
Synopsis:
Sadie Jo Smokey outlines efforts by the city of Phoenix to help promote adaptive reuse of its vacant and underutilized building inventory. The Development Services Department established an adaptive reuse program last year to help streamline “the process of modifying older buildings for new business uses.” This program was in response to numerous complaints that it was cheaper to tear down a building and start anew rather than update a structure. While developers must still meet zoning, safety, and quality development requirements, the process has been altered to reduce cost and time. “The process is about recognizing what the existing building has to offer and not superimpose anything.” Smokey closes with three cases studies.
Los Angeles City Council Expands Adaptive Reuse Incentives
Synopsis:
In 2002, Los Angeles expanded its Adaptive Reuse Incentive program to a number of additional districts in the city, as a response to its success in downtown. A problem arose when terminology allowing for residential-to-residential phrasing was incorrectly included. Livable Places (Los Angeles) has advocated to keep residential-to-residential credits off the table. “The Adaptive Reuse Ordinance was clearly intended to add to the housing stock…not by reducing the number of units affordable to very low income people.” For Livable Places, adaptive reuse is a key mechanism is providing affordable housing in Los Angeles.
Model Policy: Los Angeles Adaptive Reuse Ordinance
Publication Date:
2008Written By:
anonymousSource:
National Trust for Historic PreservationRead more...
Synopsis:
The NTHP outlines the success of the Los Angeles Adaptive Reuse Ordiance. What was initially intended “to revitalize the greater downtown area by encouraging a live/work residential community” has resulted in creating a “powerful engine for economic revitalization and the creation of new housing supply.” Originally enacted in 1999 for the downtown, the city expanded the program to the entire city in 2003. The ordinance provides a set of land use ordinances to relax zoning requirements as well as adjusting fire and life safety measures that are more flexible. This has reduced the amount of construction necessary to rehab a building as well as sped up the review process. NTHP also noted that the ordinance has helped to spur so much new housing, that there is a second wave of adaptive reuse projects underway to provide retail to the new residents.
Leominster Councilor Calls Mixed-Use Zoning a Challenge
Publication Date:
November 17, 2009Written By:
Marisa DonelanSource:
Sentinel and EnterpriseRead more...
Synopsis:
Leominster, Massachusetts, is attempting to deal with its inventory of vacant and underutilized properties by updating its zoning to incorporate a “Mixed Use 1 district.” This district would allow buildings to mix residential, commercial, and industrial. At present, the city allows commercial and industrial mixing. The issue raised with this rezoning is that the city is attempting to fix this city-wide problem by focusing on one district. Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc is also proposing that the city consider creating “adaptive reuse laws” which would allow developers to mix uses in adaptive reuse projects on a case-by-case situation.