Support Urban Renewal/Redevelopment programs utilizing conservation, rehabilitation and redevelopment --- which should include: conformity to an adopted general plan for the city or the appropriate political jurisdiction, adherence to effective and current codes and ordinances, adequate financing, local government responsibility for relocation, broad citizen participation, and efficient and economic administration by qualified personnel.
1. Support an Urban Renewal/Redevelopment program for the following reasons:
A. Eliminating and preventing blight.
B. Consolidating parcels of land into the large parcels needed for proper redevelopment of the central area, using the right of eminent domain.
C. Increasing tax revenue from an area through the erection of new buildings having a higher assessed value than the old ones.
D. Obtaining a better image of the city.
2. Support the use of conservation, rehabilitation, and redevelopment together in an integrated program based on the condition of individual areas involved.
3. Support a general plan including neighborhood analysis as a prerequisite to urban renewal.
4. Support codes and ordinances as a basis for the implementation of the rehabilitation and conservation programs. Support active enforcement of those codes and ordinances.
5. Support an Urban Renewal/Redevelopment program which is administered efficiently and economically by an adequate staff of qualified people. Realistic time limits, as well as fiscal limits, should be set for redevelopment projects. To extend limits, redevelopment agency should be required to follow same procedure when setting up redevelopment project area (especially in the area of citizen participation and fiscal review). Encourage a well managed phase out plan and curtailing of an existing redevelopment agency when appropriate. Proper communication and cooperation with city government is essential.
6. Support adequate financing from a variety of sources, including, but not limited to, tax increment financing. Support revenue sharing that is fair and is subject to periodic renegotiation.
7. Support a responsible relocation program which includes provision for safe, decent, and sanitary housing within the means of relocatees which is also accessible to transportation, jobs, schools, and other public facilities.
A. Policies should reflect the desirability of maintaining the integrity of a community or neighborhood whenever possible, particularly when affected citizens have expressed objections to relocation out of that particular neighborhood.
B. Where permanent relocation of residents is required, emphasis should be placed on equal dispersal of low income housing throughout the community.
C. Support use of minimum 20% of redevelopment revenue for purpose of providing or assisting in provision of low to moderate income housing. Consideration should be given to aesthetics of construction and programs to meet the social and educational needs of the occupants. Any development should provide for an adequate ratio between density and open space.
8. Support citizen participation, including direct participation of affected persons, in goal formation and other policies of direct relevance to potential redevelopment areas. A majority of any formal citizen particpation group should consist of project area residents, homeowners, and groups affected by the project including, but not limited to, business, civic organizations, residents, neighborhood organizations and homeowners groups. There should be opportunities for widespread public participation. The number of people serving on the formal project area committee should be limited to a workable size. The project committee must have some measurable authority in approving project plans.
9. Support well designed responsible programs with a minimum of individual hardships and community disruption and a maximum of coordination with affected citizens to be relocated.
10. Support Urban Renewal/Redevelopment programs that provide:
A. Increased tax base.
B. Encouragement of private and public investment.
C. Social and aesthetic benefits.
D. Community identity and civic pride.
E. Such programs should justify the economic costs incurred and the social costs, including displacement of people.
Adopted: 1964
Updated: 1990
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League of Women Voters of San Jose/Santa Clara, California. All rights reserved.
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