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Council Discusses Arts District ProgressThursday, December 09, 2010 Williamsburg’s arts district is one step closer to becoming a reality, but City Council members, though supportive, had some questions about funding and the feasibility of creating living and working space for artists. Economic Development Director Michelle DeWitt gave council an update at their work session this week on the progress that has been made in developing an arts district, and what the next steps in the process will be. The proposed district will run along Lafayette Street and Richmond Road, between Casey Field and Monticello Avenue. The wording of the ordinance that will create the district is complete and will be presented to council in January, DeWitt said.An arts district, which is a part of a broader effort to develop a creative economy in the city, is an area that offers various incentives for artists to live and work close to one another. It will increase revenues for existing businesses, increase revenues for new businesses, push up demand for currently vacant retail spaces and enhance vitality, DeWitt told council. It will also help attract and retain talented people to the area, attract young professionals, revitalize the neighborhood, support the existing workforce and act as a platform for small businesses to develop, and it complements the city’s major economic driver, tourism. The next steps in the process are to complete a market survey (to be done by Artspace, the group the city contracted with to identify the possible locations for an arts district), to create an arts district website, to begin the initial marketing (which might include a contest to help name the area), to analyze properties that might be suitable for living and working space for artists, and to find funding. Council member Paul Freiling was concerned about how the arts district model would work in the city given its geographic constraints and lack of a large, empty building that typically is the type of property Artspace turns into housing and work space. DeWitt pointed out that Artspace helps localities fundraise for such a project, and that the organization “has done this 42 times and never failed.” Council member Doug Pons asked how landowners in the proposed district perceived it. DeWitt explained that the city certainly wouldn’t condemn or take land from owners, and that property owners have been supportive of the idea because it will bring in more tenants. Financing was a big concern for council member Judy Knudson, who asked not only where the money would come from but also said she was concerned about the amount of work the project would take. “Staff have other jobs,” she said, “and consultants cost money.” DeWitt agreed that this was a legitimate concern the city needed to be attentive to. Pons agreed that it will be easier to justify making the investment once he knows more about the economic impact. Mayor Clyde Haulman agreed that there were questions that still needed to be answered, but that “this has been a very innovative and productive process,” and that council members “understand the importance of a creative economy to the future of the city.” One of the reasons Asheville, North Carolina, has been so successful as a tourist destination, he said, was because they’ve implemented a successful arts district. Freiling agreed. “If it’s doable and done right, this has the potential to be… a destination driver.” It will also help the city achieve some elusive goals like developing a more vibrant night life. |
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Comments
This is already allowed in this area. The following language was added to the code by Council some three years ago in response to the original idea to encourage in town artists.
ALLOWED NOW BY SPECIAL USE PERMIT:
3) Studios or workshops for artists and artisans conducted in a dwelling unit or in an accessory building on the same lot as the dwelling unit by members of the family residing on the premises, as follows:
a. Artists may include, but are not limited to, woodworkers, potters/ceramic ists, candle makers, stained-glass makers, glass artists, textile artists, jewelers, painters, printmakers, photographers, musical instrument makers, papermakers, sculptors, and other arts and crafts uses of a similar nature.
b. Use of the premises may include the showing and sale of art made on- or off-premises.
c. An electric or gas-fired kiln with an interior volume of up to 50 cubic feet may be used for pottery and/or ceramics.
d. Materials and supplies shall not be stored outdoors.
e. No additional off street parking shall be required.
I agree. Here are the details on the current zoning for much of this area:
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RS3: This district is established as a single-family residential area with medium population density. The regulations for this district are designed to stabilize and protect the essential characteristics of the land and to promote and encourage a suitable environment for family life. To these ends, development is limited to a relatively low density and permitted uses are limited basically to providing homes for the residents.
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I understand that the arts district proposal is to rezone this area to allow for business uses. Over time owners will change their property uses to match the new zoning to maximize returns.
I think this is a fundamental misunderstandin g of what is going on here. Land is rezoned all the time in cities. It does not result in the razing of those uses that might become non-conforming. In addition, I doubt there is much of anything that would be rendered a legal non-conforming use. The arts district is an overlay that would allow artist live-in studios. It would not disallow the businesses in there now.
One should indeed look into the details prior to ginning up fear regarding bulldozers and demolition.
If the intent is to limit this to artists, why not reuse the affordable spaces that are already there!
Please, keep asking questions and make sure everyone understands the potential unintended consequences before approval.
An art center will create and provide our residents of all ages with inventive expression.