NEW DELHI -- Filled with optimism and anxiety, health care providers lined up to receive the first COVID-19 vaccine injections at a government hospital in the Indian capital on Jan. 16, the day when Prime Minister Narendra Modi kicked off a massiveimmunization drive aimed atinoculating300 million people.

"I'm taking the plunge as it provides me with a sense of security," said ananesthetist, 35, who asked that her name not be used. The woman worries about her family as she works in the hospital's COVID-19 intensive care unit and thus remains at high risk for infectionand potentially passing on the coronavirus at home, including to her three-year-old son.

Outside, dozens of governmentsupporters celebrated by distributing laddoo, an Indian sweet, while chanting slogans in Hindi such as "it's possible if Modi is there."

After the U.S., India has the world's second-highest caseload, with more than 10.5 million infections and has reported over 153,000 coronavirus-related deaths. In the first week of the vaccination drive, about 1.3 million people got shots.

India's drug regulator earlier this month granted emergency use approval to the indigenous Covaxin vaccine developed by domestic company Bharat Biotech, and to the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine which is locally manufactured by the Serum Institute of India under the brand name Covishield. Both are two-dose vaccines administered 28 days apart.

The Serum Institute -- the world's largest vaccine manufacturer by number of doses produced and sold at more than 1.5 billion annually -- has already made about 50 million Covishield doses, while Bharat Biotech has stocked 20 million doses of Covaxin. Four more vaccines are in preparationand expected to be available soon. They are developed by three Indian companies -- Zydus Cadila, Biological E and Gennova--and Russia'sGamaleya National Centerof Epidemiology and Microbiology.TheMoscow-based research institute's Sputnik V will also be manufactured locally.

"As our vaccination campaign progresses, many countries in the world will benefit from our experiences," said Modi, who in a virtual appearance inaugurated the pan-India drive, describingit as "the world's largest."

Indeed, besides the domestic campaign, India has begun shipping its vaccines to neighboring countries withambitions to offer them further afield to both protect its own population and win diplomatic points as regional rival China pursues its version of shot aid. But here are emerging concerns that New Delhi's outreacheffort could strain supplies for the internal one.

India's vaccinations are taking place in stages, with 10 million health care providers to get themfirst, followed by 20 million other front-line workers including police and army personnel. Phase 2 will cover 270 million people over the age of 50, along with those having co-morbidities such as diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. The government has vowed to vaccinate 300 million people by July or August.

Modi lauded efforts by India's doctors, nurses and other front line workers for "nourishing hope in the atmosphere of despair" during the crisis. "There are hundreds of friends who never made it to their homes [and] sacrificed their lives to save [others]," he said, his voice choked with emotion. The government will pay the cost of inoculating the 30 million health care and front line workers.

Public health experts say about two-thirds of the population of more than 1.3 billion need to be vaccinated to achieve herd immunity, an exercise thatmay take 18 months to two years. "As more and more people are immunized, the chain of transmission will be broken," Rajinder K. Dhamija, head of the neurology department at New Delhi-based Lady Hardinge Medical College, told Nikkei Asia. "Finally, vaccine is the only solution, and in the next 6 to 7 months India will see more vaccines [getting approved] to help it manage its enormous vaccination drive."

Jitender Singh, 36, a security guard at the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in the heart of New Delhi, felt "absolutely fine" after receiving the vaccine. "I was asked to sit in the waiting area for 30 minutes after being administered the shot to check if I was feeling all right," Singh said. "After that, I was allowed to continue my duty at the hospital."

But not all present at vaccination sites were comfortable. Some doubted the efficacy of Covaxin, which has yet to complete the Phase 3 clinical trials required under normal circumstances. According to official data, seven people across the country required hospitalization in the first three days of vaccinations, though it did not indicatewhich of the two vaccines they received.

Shakti, a nurse who gave only his first name, was one of the fearful. "I was selected randomly for vaccination [and] have some doubt about the efficacy of Covaxin," he said. "I'm not sure about signing the consent form," he added on the first day of the inoculationdrive at a New Delhi hospital,underscoring the challenge ofvaccine hesitancy.

Manish Jangra, founding chairman of the Federation of All India Medical Association, told Nikkei that some doctors and other health workers were not comfortable withCovaxin because of the lack of complete data. "We are not against this vaccination policy of the government [and just want] them to provide us with Covishield," Jangra said.

But the Indian health ministry countersthat side effects were reported in only 0.18% of vaccine recipients and just 0.002% of people had been hospitalized following the first three days. "The data shows that we are in a situation of a lot of comfort," said V.K. Paul, the government's top health adviser, adding that the figures should dispel much anxiety.

The first day saw207,229 people getting shots, one of the highest single-day numbers globally, thoughfallingshort of the government target by 100,000. In comparison, Turkey vaccinated 285,000 people on its first day, while, as per the Indian health ministry, the U.S. immunized 79,458 and the U.K. 19,700.

Vaccinating 300 million people, or a little less than the population of the U.S., within six to seven months is a huge task and,given the current pace, global observers may wonderwhether India can achievethe target.

Immunizing large numbers of people is nothing new for the country. Itruns one of the world's biggest vaccination programs, annually covering around 27 million infants and 29 million pregnant women. Besides, experience with nationwide general elections -- in which about 610 million people voted in seven phases in April and May of 2019 -- helps in organizingmammoth events.

By using domestically produced vaccines Modi's government not only aims to boostpatriotism but also helpitselffinancially. India has bought 11 million Covishield doses at a cost of 200 rupees ($2.73) each, excluding taxes, and procured 5.5 million Covaxin doses from Bharat Biotech. The company made a "special gesture" by waiving the charges on 1.65 million doses while the remaining 3.85 million doses were priced at 295 rupees each.

According to the government, Pfizer-BioNTech's vaccine would cost 1,431 rupees per dose, Moderna's would be 2,348 to 2,715 rupees, and Sinovac Biotech of China's 1,027 rupees. Therefore, domestically produced vaccines actually reduce the burden on New Delhi's treasury.

In addition to cost benefits, Covishield and Covaxin are also easy to transport. While Pfizer's vaccine requires storage temperature of minus 70 C, both the domestic vaccines can be stored attemperatures of 2 C to 8 C, which enables nationwide distribution in a country lacking deep-freeze cold chain infrastructure.

Still, experts caution that India's effort will only work if other countries also inoculate 60% to 70% of their people because, as Dhamija says, "even if you control it at home you may get it from outside owing to air travel."

Thus, Indian-made vaccines have already arrived in neighboring Bhutan, the Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar; the Indian Ocean nationsof the Seychelles and Mauritius; andBrazil and Morocco. And other countries in South America, Africa and the MiddleEast are trying to procure them from India, which has assured the global community its vaccine production and delivery capacity will be used tofight the crisis.Already, 60% of non-coronavirus vaccines supplied worldwideare of Indian origin.

Analysts feel India's global image will receive a big boost from its COVID-19 diplomacy at a time when China has also deliveredits own vaccinesoverseas. India's commitment to help others "reinforces its role as a responsible global stakeholder," said Harsh V. Pant, head of strategic studies at the Observer Research Foundation, a New Delhi-based think tank. "It allows India to punch above its weight in some ways because pharmaceutical is one area where India is seen as a global leader."

But the home situation may not immediately allow Modi's government to press ahead with offering vaccines elsewhereona largescale. A backup plan might be needed to secure additional capacity to produce enough doses forexport. In November, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said India may go for joint vaccine productionin some countries if they are willing.

Notwithstanding India's positives, health care system bottlenecks exist. An ORF report this month said 38% of infants in India failed to receive all basic vaccines within a year of birth in 2016 for reasons rangingfrom "non-universality of vaccination coverage to factors like remoteness of large populations in distant towns or villages, lack of physical infrastructure, and the prevalence of misinformation surrounding vaccination."

A Eurasia Group note said that while the government is optimistic, constraints include limited vaccine production capacity even in best-case scenarios and the campaign will heavily rely on state governments with widely varying capacities and expertise. "Furthermore, effective coordination will be needed between the central and state governments, something that has not been Modi's strong point," the note said.

Nevertheless, the pushis crucial to contain the virus. "After a lot of deliberations [these two vaccines] have been put into use," said Vijay Grover, a cardiac surgeon at the RML hospital who is more than willing to receive the shot to protect himself, his family and society at large. "We can't doubt everything that is happening in the country."

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India pushes COVID shots in two-pronged effort at home and abroad - Nikkei Asia

Portsmouth Herald

RAYMOND The chronic lack of workforce housing along New Hampshires Seacoast affects the regions businesses and municipalities, as well as working families and people with low and moderate incomes.

Yet one option that could help ease the housing squeeze, homeownership in resident-owned manufactured-home communities (ROCs), remains hidden in plain sight.

A free, online discussion,Manufactured Housing: A Solution to the Affordable Housing Crisis on the Seacoast,will be held Wednesday, Jan.27 from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Register for the webinar atwww.seacoastwhc.org/happenings.The event will be recorded and posted online.

The webinar will feature speakers from the N.H. Community Loan Fund and New Hampshire Housing, as well as an opportunity for questions from attendees. It will be moderated by Sarah Wrightsman, Executive Director of the Workforce Housing Coalition of the Greater Seacoast.

Tara Reardon, ROC-NH Director at the Community Loan Fund, will discuss the features of modern manufactured homes, explain how ROCs offer homeowners and residents safety and security, and highlight a current opportunity at Woodbury Cooperative in Portsmouth.

Ignatius MacLellan, Managing Director of the Homeownership Division at New Hampshire Housing, will discuss the states tight housing market and how manufactured homes can help meet the demand for additional affordable housing in the state and region.

Register for the event atwww.seacoastwhc.org/happenings; a Zoom link will be emailed to registrants prior to the event.

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Manufactured housing as a solution to affordable housing crisis - Seacoastonline.com

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL January 14, 2021 Today, Zacks Equity Research discusses Residential REITs, includingMid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. MAA, American Homes 4 Rent AMH and Preferred Apartment Communities, Inc. APTS and RealPage, Inc. RP.

Link: https://www.zacks.com/commentary/1245892/3-residential-reit-stocks-struggling-to-escape-pandemic-blues

The choppiness in rental housing demand in higher cost and urban/infill markets amid the flexible working environment, low mortgage rates, along with elevated deliveries will continue to affect cash flows ofREIT And Equity Trust - Residentialconstituents in the days to come.

Nevertheless, the healthy demand in the Sunbelt markets and sub-urban locations, as well as the new wave of demand for single-family rentals amid the health crisis have been the saving grace for a number of residential REITs, includingMid-America Apartment Communities,American Homes 4 Rent andPreferred Apartment Communities.

The Zacks REIT And Equity Trust - Residential category is engaged in owning, developing and managing a variety of residences. The types of residences include apartment buildings, student housing, manufactured homes and single-family homes. Residential REITs rent spaces in these properties to tenants and earn rental income in return.

Rental Demand Rebounds but Varies across Markets: The U.S. apartment market witnessed solid leasing activity in the fourth quarter of 2020, per areportfrom the real estate technology and analytics firm RealPage. Typically, demand remains low during the October-December quarter, but thanks to the coronavirus pandemic that pushed this demand to the latter half of the year from the usually strong second quarter. Particularly, in the last six months of 2020, absorptions amounted to more than 234,000 units, denoting a greater chunk of the total annual volume.

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However, this demand rebound has not been even, rather, it has been varied across markets. Demand in the Sun Belt markets and the sub-urban ones has been strong, though considerable move-outs and sluggish demand were seen in gateway markets.

Even though occupancy levels held up well in December, rent changes varied across metros, with select big cities witnessing significant price reductions. Given the continuation of the work-from-home flexibility this year even with the immunization process underway, the low-density and less-expensive sub-urban sub-markets are poised to lead the overall market performance in the near-term, while the gateway markets are likely to lag.

In addition, record-low mortgage rates and the desire for spaces are spurring home sales and adversely impacting rental demand. Moreover, with higher education adopting remote-learning models and limiting on-campus activities for the near term, demand for student housing will continue to be dismal.

Elevated Deliveries of New Units and Rent Control: It is also feared that the struggle to lure renters is here to stay now, as supply volumes will likely remain elevated. Perreportfrom RealPage, following delays in project timelines, completions bounced back in the last half of 2020 and construction of almost 345,000 market-rate units were concluded in 2020, marking it the "biggest annual block of deliveries since the mid-1980s."

With around 583,000 market-rate apartments under construction and roughly 404,000 of those being slated for completion this year, with major deliveries in the gateway markets, leasing activity might be affected. In addition, new rent-control regulations have been introduced in some of the major markets in recent times, while a number of other markets are being considered for establishing such regulations in the days to come. This is likely to curb any significant growth in the top line.

Technology Adoption: Technological adoption has gathered steam amid the social-distancing trend, as the health crisis needed an almost-overnight shift to virtual operations for the continuation of business operations. However, instead of focusing on apps catering to a specific purpose, landlords are now emphasizing more on existing technologies and supplements aimed at driving revenues, cut costs and improve operating margins, as well as enhance customer experience.

Rent Collection Woes and Concession Usage: The coronavirus mayhem is also affecting the rent-paying capabilities of residential tenants. According to a RealPagereport, rent collections have been disappointing in the lower-tier properties. Also, rent collections are trailing in expensive metros where financial assistance is insufficient to cover most part of the rent bill.

Though the extended unemployment benefits provided support earlier, in recent months unemployed renters have mostly relied on their savings to make rent payments but diminishing savings is straining the payment frequency. Nonetheless, short-term additional assistance to households will likely be a savior in the upcoming period.

Furthermore, use of concessions has been rampant in urban portfolios, which will likely continue in the near term amid a demand slowdown. In addition, waiving of various fees for residents, including late payments, has dampened residential REITs' top-line growth. Therefore, residential REITs with a healthier balance-sheet position and ample liquidity are poised to sail through the current turbulence.

The REIT And Equity Trust - Residential industry is housed within the broader Finance sector. It carries a Zacks Industry Rank #224, which places it at the bottom11% of more than 250 Zacks industries.

The group'sZacks Industry Rank, which is basically the average of the Zacks Rank of all the member stocks, indicates bleak near-term prospects. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperforms the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.

The industry's positioning in the bottom 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries is a result of the negative funds from operations (FFO) per share outlook for the constituent companies in aggregate. Looking at the aggregate FFO per share estimate revisions, it appears that analysts are losing confidence in this group's growth potential. Over the past year, the industry's FFO per share estimate for 2021 moved 15.9% south.

Before we present a few stocks that you might want to consider for your portfolio, let's take a look at the industry's recent stock-market performance and valuation picture.

The REIT And Equity Trust - Residential Industry has lagged the S&P 500 composite as well as the broader Finance sector in a year's time.

The industry has depreciated 23.3% during this period as against the S&P 500's rally of 17.6%. During the same time frame, the broader Finance sector has lost 0.4%.

On the basis of the forward 12-month price-to-FFO (funds from operations) ratio, which is a commonly-used multiple for valuing Residential REITs, we see that the industry is currently trading at 18.12X compared with the S&P 500's forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) of 23.16X. The industry is trading above the Finance sector's forward 12-month P/E of 17.22X. This is shown in the chart below.

Over the last five years, the industry has traded as high as 22.35X, as low as 15.54X, with a median of 18.56X.

Mid-America Apartment Communities: The Germantown, TN-based residential REIT is engaged in owning, acquiring, operating and selective development of apartment communities, located primarily in the Southeast, Southwest and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. Healthy demand for the company's well-positioned Sunbelt properties will likely aid its performance in the days to come.

Mid-America Apartment Communities currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2021 FFO per share witnessed marginal upward revision to $6.61. The stock has also gained 10.4% over the past six months.

You can seethe complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

American Homes 4 Rent: This Agoura Hills, CA-based REIT is focused on acquiring, developing, renovating, leasing and operating attractive, single-family homes as rental properties. The company owns single-family properties in select submarkets across 22 states in the United States. Markedly, the pandemic has prompted a new wave of demand for single-family rentals, which positions the company well to deliver decent performances in the upcoming period.

The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of 3. The stock's current cash-flow growth of 9.2% compares favorably with the industry's 7.2%.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the ongoing year's FFO per share moved 1.6% north in the past week to $1.26 and calls for a year-over-year increase of 9.7%. The stock has appreciated 8.3% six months' time.

Preferred Apartment Communities: The Atlanta, GA-based REIT is mainly engaged in the ownership and operation of Class A multi-family properties, with select investments in grocery-anchored shopping centers, Class A office buildings, and student housing properties. This REIT is poised to benefit from its sub-urban Sunbelt focus.

Preferred Apartment Communities currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current-year FFO per share has been revised marginally upward in two months' time. The company's shares have rallied 35.1% over the past three months.

Note:Funds from operations (FFO) is a widely used metric to gauge the performance of REITs rather than net income as it indicates cash flow from their operations. FFO is obtained after adding depreciation and amortization to earnings and subtracting the gains on sales.

Last year, it generated $24 billion in global revenues. By 2020, it's predicted to blast through the roof to $77.6 billion. Famed investor Mark Cuban says it will produce "the world's first trillionaires," but that should still leave plenty of money for regular investors who make the right trades early.

See Zacks' 3 Best Stocks to Play This Trend >>

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Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumedthat any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein andis subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.

Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportMidAmerica Apartment Communities, Inc. (MAA) : Free Stock Analysis ReportRealPage, Inc. (RP) : Free Stock Analysis ReportPreferred Apartment Communities, Inc. (APTS) : Free Stock Analysis ReportAmerican Homes 4 Rent (AMH) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

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Zacks Industry Outlook Highlights: Mid-America Apartment Communities, American Homes 4 Rent and Preferred Apartment Communities and RealPage - Yahoo...

Property values rose in both Houston and Burns Lake as of July 1, 2020, the BC Assessment Authority has determined.

Using sales market data from that July 1, 2020 date as a snapshot, the authority says a property assessment value as of that date in Houston for a single family residence was $167,250, or 10 per cent more than the $152,000 assessed value as of July 1, 2019.

The assessment authority has 787 single family residences in its system for the District of Houston.

Single family residential assessments rose even higher in Burns Lake, up 21 per cent from $148,000 as of July 1, 2019 to $180,000 on July 1, 2020.

Granisle experienced a more modest valuation increase of four per cent $61,000 as of July 1, 2019 to $64,000 on July 1, 2020.

The above values are for stick built single family residences and do not include values for manufactured homes.

In Houston, for example, valuations of manufactured homes dropped from 2020 to now.

There are 178 manufactured homes having an average value of $29,995 situated within a manufactured home park in Houston. Thats a drop of 3 per cent from the 2020 average value of $30,949. But half of those dwellings are valued at $17,924 or more this year which represents a drop of 17 per cent from the $21,600 value of 2020.

There were 46 manufactured homes not in a park and 49 manufactured homes on properties of more than two acres in size within the Districts boundaries. In each of those categories, values also dropped so that the average drop for all manufactured home classifications was 6.93 per cent.

That decline reduced the overall residential valuation increase within the District to 5.17 per cent.

In the rural area surrounding Houston and reaching toward Granisle, called Area G within the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako, the overall residential class value increased from $96.268 million to $113.694 million, a jump of 18.1 per cent.

The assessment authority has 294 single family residential properties in its system for this rural area and 86 manufactured homes.

The average value of a single family dwelling in 2020 in Area G was $192,200, rising to $208,600 this year. The average value of a manufactured home in Area G in 2020 was $107,100, rising to $119,600 for 2021.

Property owners began receiving their individual assessments last week, information from which local governments will now take and use to set property tax rates for the coming year.

Each year the assessment authority uses July 1 as its snapshot date to determine market value for all properties and Oct. 31 as the date to determine physical condition of a property.

Significant changes in an individual propertys assessed value do not necessarily mean taxes will also increase.

The important factor is where the assessment for an individual property rests within the average change of that propertys class within the local government or taxing authority.

If the new assessment is lower than the average, taxes might decrease. If the assessment is higher, taxes might then increase.

Still, both Houston and Burns Lake local governments are planning for an overall property tax increase based on their own financial planning and needs.

In Houston, the net increase is set at 2.7 per cent, amounting to an additional $114,980 to the Districts base budget. Fees are set to increase by two per cent for water and garbage fees and two per cent for arena, parks and cemetery fees. Sewer fees and frontage tax rate are to rise by five per cent.

By percentage increases, Burns Lakes 21 per cent assessment jump ranked first out of 34 municipal governments with the BC Assessment Authoritys northern B.C. area with Houston coming in at seventh at 10 per cent, a figure it shared with Port Clements on Haida Gwaii.

Smithers ranked second at a 15 per cent assessment hike as did Wells in the Cariboo with Telkwa coming in at at third place with a 13 per cent increase.

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Residential property assessments increase overall in Houston - Houston Today

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING In accordance with Volume 3A, Title 15.2, Counties, Cities and Towns, of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, public necessity, convenience, general welfare and good zoning practices so requiring, and pursuant to 15.2-107, 15.2-2204, 15.2-2285, 15.2-2310, and 15.2-4307, the Nelson County Planning Commission hereby gives notice that a Public Hearing will start at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 27th at the General District Courtroom on the third floor of the Nelson County Courthouse located at 84 Courthouse Square, Lovingston, for the following: NOTICE: In alignment with current COVID-19 guidelines, and to guard the health and safety of all meeting attendees, social distancing and the wearing of face masks will be required in the courtroom. If you do not have a mask, one will be provided for you. Should current guidance change prior to the date of the meeting, the guidelines in place at the time will be adhered to. If you are not able to attend the meeting due to COVID-19 precautions or restrictions, comments may be submitted (1) electronically, or (2) in writing, and will be accepted until 12:00 pm on January 27th, 2021. (1) Electronically: ehjulstrom@nelsoncounty.org or dbishop@nelsoncounty .org (2) In Writing: Dept. of Planning & Zoning, P.O. Box 558, Lovingston, VA 22949 Public Hearings 1. Communication Tower #149 Class C Consideration of a Verizon Communication Tower application requesting County approval to allow a new 154' monopole on property zoned A-1. The subject properties are located at Tax Map Parcel #55-A-14 and 55-A-14A at 499 Jonesboro Rd. The subject properties are owned by Robert Brent, Myra Brent-McGarry, and Susanne Jamerson. 2. Amendment #2020-03 to Nelson County Zoning Ordinance, Article 11. Nonconforming Uses Consideration of proposed amendment to Zoning Ordinance Article 11. Nonconforming Uses, to rename as Article 11. Nonconforming Uses, Structures, & Lots, including a rewrite and restructuring. A summary of the amended ordinance follows: 11-1-1 contains a statement of intent that nonconformities are inconsistent with the character of the districts in which they occur. 11-1-2 Nonconforming Lots. Changes added addressing individual water supply or sewage disposal, or both, requiring approval by the Health Department. 11-1-3 Nonconforming Structures. Permits nonconforming structures' use only (i) so long as the then existing or a permitted more restricted use continues and such use is not discontinued for more than two years and (ii) so long as the buildings or structures are maintained in their then structural condition. If use is discontinued for more than two years, then the building or structure may be used only (i) so long as a permitted more restricted use continues and (ii) so long as the buildings or structures are maintained in their then structural condition. Enlargement which increases or extends its nonconformity prohibited. Nonconforming structures which are moved must conform to the regulations of the zoning district to which it is moved. Provision made for structures constructed in accordance with a building permit for which a certificate of occupancy or a use permit therefor issued, for when the owner of structure has paid taxes to the County for such building or structure for a period of more than the previous 15 years, and where certain County authorizations are obtained. Provision is also made for repair of nonconforming structures due to an act of God and for replacement of existing on-site sewage system and for replacement of certain manufactured homes in a mobile home park. A property owner shall have the right to seek a variance in order to bring a nonconforming structure or building into compliance. 11-1-4 Nonconforming Uses. Lawful use of land existing at the time of enactment of the Zoning Ordinance or any amendment permitted under the ordinance may continue, as long as it remains otherwise lawful, subject to the following provisions: Cannot be expanded or enlarged in any way that increases its nonconformity. If use ceases for a period of more than two years, any subsequent use shall conform in all respects to the zoning district in which the land is located. No additional structures not conforming to this ordinance shall be constructed in connection with such nonconforming use. Provision made for certain instances where a business license is issued by the County permitting the holder to apply for a rezoning or a special use permit without charge by the County. Provision made for an extension when a use is discontinued. Residential occupancy of a single-family dwelling is the most restrictive use when determining level of intensity. Provision made for changes in district boundaries. 3. New Ordinance #2020-04 to Nelson County Zoning Ordinance, Article 22A. Solar Energy Consideration of new ordinance addition to Zoning Ordinance Article 22A. Solar Energy, to establish procedures, regulations, and requirements for Small and Large Solar Energy Systems applying to locate within Nelson County. A summary of the proposed ordinance follows: Defines a small solar energy system as one occupying less than one acre of total land area and a large solar energy system as one occupying one acre or more of total land area. General provisions address safety and design, construction and installation, compliance with noise control ordinances and an ocular impact study when required by the FAA impact. Bonding required for costs to completely remove the entire solar energy system plus twenty-five percent (25%) of said estimated costs as a reasonable allowance for administrative costs, inflation, and potential damage to existing roads or utilities. A bond, irrevocable Letter of Credit, or other appropriate surety required secure the cost of removing the system and restoring the site to its original condition to the extent reasonably possible which must include a mechanism for a Cost of Living Adjustment after ten (10) and fifteen (15) years. A decommissioning plan is required. Provision made for notice to the County of the proposed date of abandonment or discontinuation of operations, time-frame for removal, standards for removal and restoration of the property and for abandonment. A zoning permit issued pursuant to this article shall expire if the solar energy system is not installed and functioning within 24 months from the date this permit is issued. Small solar energy system shall be permitted by-right in A-1, B-1, B-2, M-1, and M-2, and by Special Use Permit in C-1 subject to certain requirements. Provision made for setbacks, height restrictions, and compliance with applicable law. No signs or advertising of any type may be placed on the small solar energy system unless required by law. Building Code compliance certification required. Glare mitigation requirements established. Requirements and procedure for a zoning permit application. Large solar energy systems shall be permitted by a Special Use Permit in A-1, C-1, M-1, B-1, and B-2, and by-right in M-2, provided that the primary use of the system is electrical generation to be sold to the wholesale electricity markets and not used primarily for the onsite consumption of energy by a dwelling or commercial building. A Major Site Plan is required which must also include a project description and supporting information. Provision made for visual impacts, height restrictions, signage, setbacks, and vegetative buffering. Review by the Planning Commission to forward the applications to the Board of Supervisors with a recommendation for approval; a recommendation for approval with recommended conditions; or a recommendation for denial for action by the Board. The full text of the proposed amendments is available for public inspection at the Planning & Zoning office, 80 Front Street, Lovingston, Virginia, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Telephone inquiries may also be directed to the Dept. of Planning & Zoning, (434) 263-7090, or toll free at 888-662-9400, selections 4 and 1. Nelson County does not discriminate on the basis of handicapped status in admission or access to its programs and activities. Accommodation will be made for handicapped persons upon advance request.

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Notice of Public Hearing | Legal Announcements | newsadvance.com - Lynchburg News and Advance

The City Commission will consider amendments to the Plantation Oaks development including a proposal to void the 55-and-older age restriction and allow single-family homes in the first phase of the community at its meeting at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 19.

The three amendments, including two administrative zoning changes, were originally scheduled to be heard back in the summer, but the city postponed the hearings due to COVID-19, as the city manager wanted to be able to hold a meeting where interested people could voice their opinions on the matter while adhering to social distancing requirements.

On June 11, 2020, the Planning Board unanimously recommended approval of the amendments despite significant citizen opposition. Several individuals voiced concerns at that meeting over impact to the Loop. In response, a Change.org petition has been signed over 62,000 times to help save the Ormond Beach Loop.

Parker Mynchenberg, the developer of Plantation Oaks, was also involved in creation of neighboring Halifax Plantation. Plantation Oaks was first approved by the county in 2002, and included single family homes. In 2012, that requirement was scrapped to allow manufactured housing. Plantation Oaks was annexed into the city in 2019.

A local man was killed during a confrontation with a friend near Ormond Beach in unincorporated Volusia County on Friday, Jan. 8.

Volusia County Sheriffs Office reported that 34-year-old William Bay pointed a pitchfork at his friend in a threatening manner at their shared residence in the 1100 block of Avenue I. The friend, who was armed with a handgun, fired when Bay advanced toward him, citing fear for his and his wifes lives.

No charges have been filed. The investigation is ongoing.

The Planning Board will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 14, to discuss a preliminary plat request for an 18-acre property located at 1670 and 1662 N. U.S. 1.

The request comes on behalf of Destination Interchange LLC, which seeks to develop the property into a commercial subdivision.

The Florida Department of Transportation is holding a virtual public hearing regarding the current five-year work program, which includes the A1A pedestrian safety project.

The hearing is virtual and open 24 hours a day until Jan. 15. Visit d5wpph.com to submit comments.

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Plantation Oaks amendments to be heard next week - Ormond Beach Observer

The prototype apartment sits in a mostly empty parking lot in Chelsea, but when you walk out the front door, theres quite a view: boats docked at a marina, and a small estuary that connects to the Mystic River.

Kevin Saba owns the marina, and he is a cofounder of BeQuall, a startup company that aims to make city living more affordable and energy-efficient and compact. He refers to the prototype dwelling as a BePod, and it has about 330 square feet of interior space. The companys objective is to sell these modern-looking manufactured units to real estate developers in pricey parts of the country for use as rental units.

Cofounder Scott Bailey says they would likely be rented fully furnished for about 75 to 85 percent of the price of a comparably sized unfurnished apartment. (Most of the BePods furniture is integrated into the unit.) In Bostons Seaport neighborhood, at current prices for a small studio that would be roughly $1,350 to $1,575 a month.

The demographic were focused on is a segment of the market that hasnt seen a lot of love, says Bailey, who previously helped run the nonprofit MassChallenge entrepreneurship program. Its people who live with roommates in cities, people who want privacy.

Saba chimes in: I think itll be interesting, post-COVID. Expectations are going to change, as college students come out of school having lived in singles for the last year or two. Many of these younger renters may want leases shorter than a year, he adds, and they may prefer a furnished, ready-to-occupy apartment.

Saba says the company is talking with real estate developers about potential sites and getting regulatory approvals to ship manufactured housing to California, a key first market. Well do Massachusetts, as well, Saba says, though the state has historically been less friendly to any kind of prefab housing.

BeQuall has five early buyers lined up in California all for individual units initially. So far, Saba has provided most of Bequalls capital, but the company hopes to raise a round of funding sometime this year.

Saba contends that lots of folks are over-housed, living in homes or apartments that are too large. He predicts that smaller living spaces are going to be like electric cars on the verge of an inflection point in acceptance.

Scott Kirsner can be reached at kirsner@pobox.com. Follow him on Twitter @ScottKirsner.

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Could you live in this 330-square-foot pod apartment? - BetaBoston

Its 2021, and thanks to the Traverse City Business News, heres a glimpse of what were watching in and around Traverse City as the New Year begins.

Weed In The City2020 was a year of upheaval in Traverse Citys burgeoning marijuana industry.On one hand, a dozen medical marijuana establishments officially opened their doors. On the other, critics have accused the Traverse City Board of Commissioners of dragging their feet on bringing recreational marijuana into the city.

With four lawsuits pending against the City of Traverse City regarding its handling of marijuana licenses, City Clerk Benjamin Marentette warns that recreational cannabis sales arent likely to commence in the city any time soon.

Michigan voters legalized adult-use marijuana in November 2018 and recreational sales have officially been allowed in the state since Dec. 1, 2019. The City of Traverse City has thus far opted out of allowing recreational marijuana businesses within city limits, with the reasoning that delaying licensing would allow city commissioners time to determine how to regulate these types of businesses.

In August, the city commission approved new rules that would have opened the door for recreational marijuana dispensaries in Traverse City. The rules ignited an uproar and led to the filing of three lawsuits (to date) against the City of Traverse City. A fourth cannabis lawsuit facing the city pertains to medical marijuana.

Marentette says that recreational cannabis is indefinitely stalled. His office has received two applications so far for non-dispensary businesses: one for a grower, one for a safety compliance facility. But per a ruling from the 13th Circuit Court, the city cannot accept applications for recreational marijuana dispensaries or microbusinesses until further notice.

Because of the lawsuits the city is facing, Judge (Thomas G.) Power ordered that my office not begin accepting applications until further order of the court, Marentette said. There's a lot of complexity to the lawsuits filed against the city that may or may not shape (the citys timeline on licensing or store openings).

TVC's Independent Airport AuthorityTraverse Citys Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) has been cleared locally to operate more independently than ever before.

Grand Traverse and Leelanau county commissioners voted in December to create an independent airport authority, such as what Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids and the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport are governed by. Currently, TVC is owned jointly by Grand Traverse and Leelanau counties and is governed by the Northwest Regional Airport Commission (NRAC).

As an independent authority, the two counties would still appoint board members, but the airport would have greater independence and autonomy to buy and sell property, control its own zoning, set standards for board members and remove board members that dont meet standards or fail in their duties.

As part of the post-approval process, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will need to sign off on changing the airports operating certificate. The review process is likely to take about nine months.

East Bay Township DevelopmentCould 2021 finally be the year that long-gestating development projects in East Bay Township come to fruition?

One area of interest is the stretch of U.S. 31 from Five Mile Road to Eighth Street, once referred to by locals as restaurant row. Many of the restaurants along that corridor have shuttered; those spaces all remain vacant heading in 2021, but at least one of them should be seeing some action in the New Year.

Nick Spallone is the designer for a new luxury car wash called Green Mitt, set to take over the 1840 U.S. 31 site previously occupied by Hooters.

Mark Hagan of Coldwell Banker, who represents the Ruby Tuesday property, says hes had a lot of larger chains that have expressed interest, kind of from all over the country, but that nothing has come together yet.

Old restaurant buildings arent the only commercial properties along U.S. 31 sitting vacant. Two hotel developments along that corridor one between Four Mile and Five Mile roads, adjacent to Hopscotch Brick Oven and Tap Room; the other between Hampton Inn and the Traverse City State Park appear to be stalled.

Away from restaurant row, East Bay Township could see some other development activity in 2021. An upscale manufactured home community called Alta Vista is planned for the 80 acres of vacant land east of Grand Traverse Academy, between Hammond and Vanderlip roads. Developers say construction will begin soon on the 165-unit community, with a three-phase buildout set to begin in February.

Hot HousingWith real estate demand in Traverse City holding strong, developers are boosting the areas apartment housing stock. Here are just a few of the projects on the horizon:

Breakwater:Breakwater on Garland Street is a new 77-unit mixed-use development that is just a stones throw from the Open Space. Steve Poole, the real estate agent representing the three commercial units on the ground floor, says to his knowledge the apartments are nearly 100% rented.

Ruth Park:Ruth Park is a planned 58-unit apartment complex on Wellington Street, across the street from Safe Harbor. It was approved in October for $1.2 million in funding from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), which will help fund the $14.1 million project.

DDA projects:The DDA is assisting with multiple projects. One is a mixed-use development planned for the spot currently occupied by parking lot G next to Mode's Bum Steer. The DDA is also collaborating with Great Lakes Capital, a real estate private equity firm, on bringing two projects to downtown TC. One is planned for 309 W. Front St. next to the new 4Front headquarters. The second, another four-story mixed-use project, would take up residence in the long-vacant site next to J&S Hamburg, with approximately 80 new apartment units included.

Mosser apartment complex:A potential 168-unit apartment complex on the south side of Hartman Road is in the preliminary stages in Garfield Township but is facing potential hurdles due to the parcel's proximity to Miller Creek Nature Preserve. The complex would include three seven-story apartment buildings, as well as a clubhouse and pool area.

U.S. 31 South apartment complex:A 60-unit apartment complex has been proposed for a 1.6-acre parcel off U.S. 31 South, between Hartman and South Airport roads. The proposed site which Garfield Township Planning Director John Sych says is a "nice fit" falls in the middle of several commercial structures near Grand Traverse Mall.

Also on the way are several luxury condo developments, including long-gestating projects like Peninsula Place on State Street, 539 Bay Street and newer ones like Fresh Water Flats on Gillis Street.

Racial Reckoning2020s racial unrest sparked the birth of Traverse Connects Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Committee. The committee, which consists of members from across the business community, has a goal to lead the community in becoming a region that is attractive and enabling to people of all diversities racial, cultural, social economic and ability.The group will host a DEI summit on March 11, with the aim of educating local businesses about the value of diversity and providing resources that can help businesses embrace DEI.

Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) will also likely take a closer look at DEI in the New Year. A former TCAPS student started a petition last summer urging the school district to incorporate BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and people of color) history and anti-racism education into educational curricula.

Relocating To Traverse CityThe Traverse City real estate market has rarely been hotter. According to the Traverse Area Association of Realtors (TAAR), November sales for the five-county region hit a record high of 350 homes totaling $136.64 million.

According to Warren Call, president and CEO of Traverse Connect, the real estate trends dovetail with other metrics to prove that more people are moving to Traverse City.

Spurred by a range of factors higher COVID-19 case numbers and more stringent pandemic restrictions in densely populated areas, more companies allowing their employees to work remotely on an indefinite basis city dwellers spent 2020 relocating in droves.According to the United States Postal Service, nearly 16 million American filed change-of-address requests between February and July, up more than 600,000 from the same period in 2019. Based on TAARs November real estate numbers, at least some of them are moving to Traverse City.

According to Call, a company called EMSI releases an annual talent attraction scorecard that ranks every county in the country. The 2020 version scores Grand Traverse County 81 out of over 2,200, small- and mid-sized counties in the country.

"So the timing has been fortuitous, because as the crisis struck we were already getting all these people that probably already had some inclination of moving here," Call says.NMC Student SurgeAt Northwestern Michigan College (NMC), the New Year is ringing in an out-of-the-ordinary surge in students.

Theyre coming from one possibly two fronts: The states new Futures for Frontliners program that offers free in-district community college tuition to essential workers who dont have a college degree; and another new statewide program called Michigan Reconnect, aimed at filling the states skills gap by helping adults over age 25 earn a degree or certificate.

Potential student numbers from Michigan Reconnect wont emerge until its application period opens in February, but Futures for Frontliners began adding NMC enrollment with this months start of spring semester.

As of early December, 1,465 students had applied for the Frontliners scholarship. Students through the Michigan Reconnect program will likely enroll starting in the fall.

Both programs could boost NMCs profile as an education and skills provider, which in turn could help the college with a continuing goal: attracting and offering aid to some of the approximately 19,000 people in NMCs six-county area who have some type of college experience but no degree.

Read the rest of the What To Watch list in the January TCBN, including:

- BATAs New HQ- Relief for Downtown Businesses- Downtown Property Tax Woes- Jody Trietch and Taste the Local Difference- Short's Growth Spurt- Continued COVID Innovations- Commercial Real Estate Questions- Frankforts Garden Theater Re-Do

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What To Watch In Traverse City In 2021 - Traverse City Ticker

Mark Hughes Cobb|The Tuscaloosa News

One disaster 2020 hasn't dumped onthe Tuscaloosa area is severe weather, but as the calendar year closes,residents should be alert for possible high winds, heavy rainfall and a chance of tornadoes Thursday evening, rollinginto Friday.

After a freezing yule in which neighboring counties saw White Christmas flurries, temperatures may shoot ashigh as 70for New Year's Eve, said Jason Holmes, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Birmingham. Combine that with a strong cold front moving in from the west, currently threatening to bring snow and heavy rain to muchof Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana,and threats grow.

Typically this area suffers its heaviest severe-weather threatsin spring, and again in fall moving intowinter, he said.

"So this is like our secondary severe weather system, and it's been very quiet thankfully," Holmes said. "But it was very cold last week, and it's starting to warm up. We expect to have highs in the mid-60s in Tuscaloosa on Wednesday, and closer to 70 on Thursday.

"That just provides the energy, if you will, for those storms. Conditions will be rather humid with Gulf moisture streaming up ahead."

Staying aware of threats is a key to preparation, Holmessaid, noting that the NWS' forecasts will grow more detailed as the front moves in.

Winter cruise fans: 4 warm-weather trips to tide you over

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"We could have damaging winds up to 60 miles per hour, and a few tornadoes will be possible," he said. "This is a very moist air mass we're dealing with, so expect heavy rainfall, with potential for localized flooding, especially in areas with poorly functioning drainage systems."

Most smartphones now have free weather apps that will broadcast the local emergency alerts, so residents should check tosee if their phones have one of those installed, Holmes said. Media such as The Tuscaloosa News will also be updating their sites as information comes in, and further informationcan be found through the NWS' site at http://www.weather.gov/bmx, or atthe service's social media presences onFacebook and Twitter.

"Don't rely on the outdoor sirens. Awareness is key," Holmes said."Looking back just 10 or 20 years, it's amazing how much more technology we have now.

"Itgives you time to respond. Before, if you didn't have your TV or radio on, you'd be surprised."

The Tuscaloosa County Emergency Management Agency site, at http://www.tuscaloosacountyema.org, features useful advice including preparation and safety training, and an interactive map showing about two dozen storm shelter locations scattered throughout the county. If and when they open, the site map will indicate that, said Nick Lolley, Tuscaloosa County EMA director.

He also recommends signing up for the TuscALERT service, which provides weather and other warnings directly to your cellphone or email address. A link can be found on the site.

"It's free, and you can put up to five locations on it; it's location-specific," Lolley said.

In advance, understand the risks, and have a plan, Holmes said. Stock emergency supplies are always good to keeparound:flashlights and batteries, portable radios, bottled water, non-perishable food, first-aid kits, and the like.

In the event of a warning, find the safest possible shelter, whether at home, or in a business or school.

"You should always havea designated location to go to when there's bad weather, toward the center part of the building, in the interior, away from windows," he said.

"For thosein mobile homes, manufactured homes, they're just not that robust of a structure. Werecommend those peopleeither evacuate to a storm structure, or to a neighbor with a well-built home. In high winds, mobile homescan come apart fairly easily."

This week, keeping alert is crucial, as the worst of the storms may come late at night, Lolley said.

"Keep your phone charged," he said. "If you've got a weather radio, make sure you've got extra batteries."

Some people try to "outrun" storms in their vehicle. One word of advice about that from the NWS: Don't. Instead, stay alert to evolvingforecasts, and be prepared to leave the car to find shelter in a solid structure. If there's nothing available in an emergency, lie down in a gully, ditch or other low spot on the ground; flying debris is responsible for most deaths and injuries during tornadoes.

"With the trees and hills in (this area), we don't have a long visibility. It's not like out on the plains. In some places in the state you can barely see a storm before it's on top of you. Sobe ready to take action when a warning is issued," Holmes said.

But on those occasions where you do see severe weather, tornadoes or other dangers, forming, Holmes encourages submitting a storm report at the http://www.weather.gov/bmx site, or through messages on Facebook or Twitter. Or call the office directly at 205-664-3010.

"We always appreciate reports," Holmes said.

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Severe weather possible New Year's Eve in Tuscaloosa area - Tuscaloosa Magazine

Rob Savage's Host has a formula that cannot be copied by other COVID-19 inspired horror movies in 2021; here's why it can't to be replaced by others.

Rob Savage'sHostcame out at the most opportune time for COVID-19 pandemic inspired horror movies. While there are likely many more to come in the aftermath of the first wave, it is virtually impossible for its formula to be copied or manufactured a second time. The Zoom based horror movie may only be 56 minutes long, but its impeccable timing and innovative take on the found footage sub-genre has made it an immensely important movie that cannot be replicated.

Written bySavage, Gemma Hurley, and Jed Shepherd,Hostfollows a group of friends who have set up a Zoom video call to enjoy a night of fun and the supernatural. After participating in a sance lead by a seasoned psychic, each of the women start to experience bizarre events taking place in their homes. As the clock ticks on their Zoom call and social isolation confines them to their homes, they're all forced to watch in horror as their friends die one by one without the ability to safe them due to the fear of catching COVID-19. The movie released on Shudder in July, only three months after the official lockdown order was set in place. It was one of the first to capture the horrors that 2020 was presenting in real-life while including fictionalized paranormal events.

Related:Why Halloween: Resurrection Works Better As A Found Footage Movie

Hosthas been considered the best horror movie of 2020 due to its ability to capture the real fears, concerns, loneliness, isolation, and means of communication that have become prevalent in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was largely successful because of its timing, as the first wave left so much uncertainty for the future. SinceHosts'release, several movies have attempted to capitalize off of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the virus itself, but have been largely unsuccessful.

Hostdidn't create the webcam found footage movie, but it did present it in an all new form with the addition of COVID-19. Approximately five months after its release,Social Distancepremiered with a plot that attempted to draw inspiration from Savage's movie. Ultimately, it failed because it implemented government conspiracies alongside the pandemic,making it too disconnected from reality, which was part of the appeal ofHost.If another found footage horror movie takes on its structure, it would need to utilize a different kind of technology to communicate, such as Facetime. In doing so, it would add a level of personal depth to the relationships the characters share, which is very apparent between Emma, Caroline, Haley, Jemma, Radina, and Teddy.

It seems likely that there will be countless horror movies about the COVID-19 pandemic in the near future. The most important part about howHostused it was that it didn't make it the forefront of the movie. Instead, it was merely a backdrop that added a level of forced isolation that all of the characters - and viewers at home - felt in the midst of the paranormal activity. Friends can Zoom anytime, even before the pandemic. Savage's choice to use Zoom didn't have to come from COVID-19, but it did benefit from it because viewers could relate to using it as a tool to communicate with friends, family, and colleagues.

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Host's Formula Can't Be Copied By Other Coronavirus Horror Movies In 2021 - Screen Rant