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NBB's drawings of the revised plans for the George Street Brownstones.

City Council to Hold Public Hearing on Proposed George Street Townhouses

by | Sep 28, 2016 | Government

By Susan Larson. NBB provided the drawings of the revised plans for the George Street Brownstones.

Fredericksburg City Council will take two actions on developer Mike Adams’ redesigned George Street Brownstones project during their 7:30 p.m. meeting on Tuesday, Sept, 27, 2016.

Adams’ company NBB, LLC, proposes to build five townhouses behind the National Bank Building, along the 300 block of George Street. “The property is within the Historic Fredericksburg District (HFD), which is a historic preservation zoning designation,” wrote City Attorney Kathleen Dooley in a memo to City Council. “All new construction within the HFD requires the issuance of a certificate of appropriateness.”

A public hearing Tuesday will focus on “whether the proposed new construction is “architecturally compatible” with the historic landmarks, buildings, structures, and areas located within the district.”

Adams’ proposed redesign includes:
– Reducing the number of units from seven to five.
– Reducing the height of the units by five inches, to 44 feet, four inches.
– Removing one of the stories of the units.
– Lowering the cornice.
– Providing a front yard on George Street, and a side yard on Charles Street.

Adams offered a redesign of the proposed townhomes in exchange for an economic incentive of $300,000.

The Fredericksburg Economic Development Authority (EDA) voted September 12 to fund the economic incentive for City Council. The city will pay NBB $150,000 upon completion of the rehabilitation of the National Bank Building and the issuance of certificates of occupancy for the first two townhomes. The second $150,000 is due upon completion of the rest of the project. The city will reimburse the EDA at three percent interest on the outstanding balance.

During their September 26 meeting, City Council will also vote on whether or not to enter into the performance agreement with the Fredericksburg Economic Development Authority and NBB, LLC.

In 2015, the Architectural Review Board (ARB) approved Adams’ plan to build seven, four-story townhouses, but City Council voted 6 – 1 in November 2015 to suspend the ARB’s approval.

Adams’ company sued City Council, seeking to void their action.

City Council then filed a lawsuit against NBB, asking the court to dismiss the lawsuit. City Council also filed a lawsuit against the ARB, claiming citizens were not properly notified of the public hearing.

City Council voted unanimously September 13, 2016, to move toward a settlement agreement with NBB, which involves the redesign and the incentive package. The next step is the public hearing.

If after the public hearing City Council approves the redesign and the incentive package, then the lawsuits will be dismissed, Dooley said.

If City Council denies the certificates of appropriateness and/or the incentive package, the lawsuits would continue.

November 8 is the deadline for city action. The time frame could be extended by mutual agreement.

City Council meets in Council Chambers at City Hall, 715 Princess Anne St. in downtown Fredericksburg. Call the Clerk of Council at 540-372-1010, Ext 228, to be included on the list of speakers for the public hearing.

Council’s regular sessions are televised live on Cox Channel 84 and Verizon Channel 42, and rebroadcast on Wednesday at noon and on Thursday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Live and rebroadcasted meetings are also available online at http://regionalwebtv.com/

More
City Council Votes to Move Toward Settlement Agreement with NBB

EDA Votes to Fund $300K Incentive to Settle NBB Lawsuit

City Council to Vote on NBB Townhome Settlement

FoodE Opens in Historic Bank Building

Future of National Bank Building May Head to Trial

Developer Sues City Council Over Proposed Townhomes

City Council Overrules ARB’s Approval of Bank Property Townhomes

Preservation Group Opposes Plans for National Bank Building Property

Downtown Fredericksburg’s Historic National Bank Building Sold

Historic National Bank Building For Sale

Historic Bank Closes its Doors in Downtown Fredericksburg

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