The City of Staunton commissioned the Uniontown Neighborhood Action Plan process in 2022 Using ARPA Funds, making it the first holistic planning process ever undertaken for this community. Briefly, starting in the 1870’s, Uniontown was once a thriving neighborhood where African-American families found support in times of great struggle. However, numerous factors contributed to its long, steady decline. Today, the current version of Uniontown is the product of decades of disinvestment, mismatched land use regulations, and other variables that led to its current neglected condition. With the completed Action Plan, developed hand in hand with Uniontown residents, property owners and many other stakeholders, the City of Staunton seeks to start a path towards correcting many of the past wrongs done to this community. House Bill 136 will help to ensure the future success of one recommendation in particular: providing water and sewer utility expansion on residential lots in an affordable and just manner. In order to facilitate this utility expansion in such a manner, City Council is seeking the authority to waive utility connection fees. Staunton City Council unanimously supports being granted authority to waive these fees as part of its effort to revitalize Uniontown. Thank you for your time.

The City of Staunton commissioned the Uniontown Neighborhood Action Plan process in 2022 Using ARPA Funds, making it the first holistic planning process ever undertaken for this community. Briefly, starting in the 1870’s, Uniontown was once a thriving neighborhood where African-American families found support in times of great struggle. However, numerous factors contributed to its long, steady decline. Today, the current version of Uniontown is the product of decades of disinvestment, mismatched land use regulations, and other variables that led to its current neglected condition. With the completed Action Plan, developed hand in hand with Uniontown residents, property owners and many other stakeholders, the City of Staunton seeks to start a path towards correcting many of the past wrongs done to this community. House Bill 136 will help to ensure the future success of one recommendation in particular: providing water and sewer utility expansion on residential lots in an affordable and just manner. In order to facilitate this utility expansion in such a manner, City Council is seeking the authority to waive utility connection fees. Staunton City Council unanimously supports being granted authority to waive these fees as part of its effort to revitalize Uniontown. Thank you for your time.

Comments Document

I have attached an opinion piece I composed about HB136. This authority is an important component in revitalizing and repairing the Uniontown neighborhood in Staunton, Virginia.