19681217 1968-16ORDINANCE NO. 1968-16
AN ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH IN AND FOR THE
CITY OF FAIRFAX AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
WHEREAS, there is a need for intensive study of the industrial
and commercial activity within the City of Fairfax; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Fairfax deems
it essential that advice on economic potential and development
be obtained; and
WHEREAS, the promotion of economic development is common in
many municipalities throughout the country; and
WHEREAS, in order to maintain a competitive position and
properly chart the future economic growth of the community, there
exists a need for an organization to promote economic development;
and
WHEREAS, many of the present departments of government and
functions of the City have a direct relationship to economic devel-
opment; and
WHEREAS, the desirability of embarking upon a Community Goals
Study of which economic development is an integral part has been
evidenced by City Council;and
WHEREAS, the promotion of the economic well being of the City
is essential to the welfare of its citizenry;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT AND IT IS HEREBY ORDAINED:
1. There is created an official agency to be known as the Economic
Development Commission of the City of Fairfax.
2. The Economic Development Commission shall consist of seven
members to be drawn as nearly as possible from among the various
business and industrial interests of the community and those groups
bearing a relationship to them. Members shall serve for a four
year term. Initially, three members shall be appointed for two
years and four members shall be appointed for four years.
3. The Commission shall be charged with studying the existing
industrial and commercial conditions and the potential for economic
development of the City of Fairfax. Such surveys shall include
but are not limited to:
a. The present extent and character of economic development
in the community.
b. An assessment of the competitive position and role of
Fairfax in the regional economy.
c. The general climate which exists for doing business in the
City including among other things financing, taxation and
municipal regulations.
d. External factors which may affect economic potential.
e. The extent to which commercial and industrial land is
Vacant, and the potential for the development thereof.
f. The quality of shopping facilities in the City of Fairfax
and any need which may exist for improvement.
g. Facilities presently lacking which may be needed to produce
a comprehensive regional shopping area.
h. The need and potential for development and redevelopment
of presently developed commercial and industrial land.
i. The potential for comprehensive development of downtown
Fairfax.
j. An assessment of the ability of the City to attract indus-
trial uses compatible with existing residential development.
4. The Economic Development Commission shall recommend to City
Council programs designed to capitalize on existing economic poten-
tial. Among items to be considered are:
a. Measures which the City can adopt to enhance the potential
for development and redevelopment.
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b. Measures for the attraction of desirable commercial and
industrial uses.
c. The type and extent of economic development which the
City should emphasize.
d. Measures to insure cooperation of all facets of the
community which may be involved in economic development
in order to facilitate the location of new commercial and
industrial uses in the city.
e. Future organization necessary to insure proper economic
development, including the creation of a development
authority and the consideration of whether such a function
should be added to the duties of the Economic Development
Commission or whether a separate agency should be created.
f. The implications for governmental or private financing of
any of the above recommendations.
5. The Economic Development Commission shall be responsible for
efforts to secure development and redevelopment. To that end it
shall:
a. Actively promote and secure through appropriate means, the
location of new facilities in the City of Fairfax.
b. In cooperation with applicable agencies devise plans for
development and redevelopment.
c. Facilitate through such coordination as may be applicable
with private and public groups, the location of new economic
uses.
d. Encourage such improvements as may be appropriate to existing
uses.
e. Conduct such other studies as it may become evident are
necessary to the economic development process.
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6. The Economic Development Commission is designated as the task
force in this area for the purpose of the Community Goals Study.
It shall be empowered to appoint subcommittees and shall be respon-
sible for drawing as wide an area of citizen participants in
establishing goals as possible. For the purpose of the Community
Goals Study, the Economic Development Commission shall work with
the Policy Advisory Committee appointed to conduct the study as well
as with such resource agencies as may be appropriate.
7. The Economic Development Commission has as its primary objective
charting and implementation of the general and well balanced
economic growth of the community. It is an advisory group to the
City Council as well as an operating unit for the purposes of securing
development. To this end the Economic Development Commission may
submit to the City Council through the City Manager annual budgetary
requests. Where warrented, the Commission shall be authorized to
draw on City personnel for staff services. It may make use of data
compiled by departments of the City, and shall work in cooperation
with City departments, boards, agencies and commissions, as well as
private agencies in securing the economic development objective. It
shall especially ensure full consultation with the Planning Commission
on matters affecting comprehensive planning.
8. This ordinance shall take effect immediately on passage.
Introduced: December 3, 1968.
Adopted: December 17, 1968.
Attest:
Mayor