|
Ds~mber 10, 1974
<br />
<br /> At a Public Hearing regarding the Community Development Program held on December 10,
<br />1974 at 7:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers, held jointly with the Planning Commission and
<br />Portsmouth Redevelopment and Houslng Authority Commissioners, there were present:
<br />
<br />Jack P. Barnes, Eo Saunders Early, Jr., Archie Etliott, Jr., Dr. James W. Hotley,
<br />Edward L. Oast, Jr., Robert W. Wents, Jr., Phin Horton, City Manager, R. T. Williams,
<br />Asst. City Manager, H. M. Myers, Jr.,-Asst. City Manager, D. R. Hagemeister, Acting
<br />
<br />Absent: Richard J. Davis, Mayor
<br />
<br />Planning Commission: William Beard, Chairman, C. L. Knight, Vice Chairman, Russell
<br />F. Gallette, Warren L. Holland, Sr., Paul Wilson, Millard C. Norman, Zelma Rivin,
<br />J. Brewer Moore, Director
<br />
<br />Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority:
<br />Minor, Jr., Vice Chairman, Dr. E. A. Barham, J.
<br />D. Barton Frye, Jr., Executive Director
<br />
<br />P. Stockton Fleming, Chairman, George
<br />L. Smith, Jr., Vernon E. Wimbrough,
<br />
<br />Vice Mayor Robert W. Wentz presided in absence of Mayor Richard J. Davis.
<br />
<br />The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
<br />
<br /> Opening Statements were then made by Robert Wo Wentz;
<br />of the Planning Commission, and Mr. P. Stockton Fleming on
<br />development and Housing Authority:
<br />
<br />Mr. William~ Beard on behalf
<br />behalf of the Portsmouth Re-
<br />
<br />Mr~ Wentz:
<br />
<br />"Ladies and gentlemen, if I may have your attention, we will start the public
<br />hearing. As all of you know, it has been called this evening for the purpose
<br />of providing interested individuals the opportunity to express their views
<br />regarding the proposed 1975 Community Development Program for Portsmouth and
<br />related specific redevelopment plan proposals which have been developed for
<br />the first action year. Tonight's hearing is unique in that it brings together
<br />members of the City Council, the City Planning Commission, and the Board of
<br />Commissioners of the Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority. This
<br />combined approach typifies the need to expedite the initiation of activities
<br />under the Community Development Program and will also enable the three repre-
<br />sentative bodies here tonight the opportunity to hear together your comments.
<br />We feel that the implementation of a comprehensive Community Development Pro-
<br />gram in two new areas, as well as expanded activities in an ongoing project,
<br />will result in a significantly improved quality of life for a majority of
<br />residents in these areas and have a very positive impact on the general well-
<br />being of our community, both within the immediate future and in subsequent
<br />years. In this connection, you have our complete assurance that your comments
<br />and views on these proposed activities will receive careful review and con-
<br />sideration by the members of the Council, the Planning Commission, and the
<br />Authority. We have a very full agenda this evening, and to expedite matters,
<br />we have already asked everyone Who wishes to speak to write your name and
<br />address on the cards which have been provided and send them up to us. When
<br />your name is called, it would be appreciated if you could use the microphone
<br />here at the front so that everyone in the room can hear.
<br />
<br />I would like to first briefly describe the Community Development concept. I
<br />will then ask Mr. Beard of the Planning Commission for his comments and then
<br />invite Mr. F~eming of the Redevelopment Authority to present specific Community
<br />Development proposals. This concept has been fully explained in two public
<br />forums and in a handbook prepared by the Citizens Advisory Committ-ee, as well
<br />as in other meetings and numerous newspaper articles. However, I would like to
<br />reiterate a few basic facts about this c~ncept which, if successful, could be of
<br />considerable benefit to our City. The primary objective of the community de-
<br />velopment program, as defined in the Housing and Community Development Act of
<br />1974, is the establishment of viable urban communities. Consistent with this
<br />basic objective, a locality's major effort must be directed toward the elimina-
<br />tion of slums and blight and other conditions which are detrimental to health,
<br />safety and public welfare, as well as to the provision of housing opportunities
<br />and related activities benefiting low and moderate income people. Providing We
<br />successfully complete planned activities each year, the City will receive an
<br />average of $3.7 million over the next six years to carry out community develop-
<br />ment activities. In order to develop a program consistent with the primary
<br />objective of the law and best suited for our community, a well-planned citizen
<br />participation effort involving the Citizens Advisory Committee was undertaken
<br />to obtain your views on our needs. Further, a task force, comprised of staff
<br />representatives of the City and the Redevelopment Authority, worked together
<br />to provide the professional expertise required in any endeavor of this nature.
<br />Citizen input, the Citizens Advisory Committee report, and the Task Force re~
<br />commendations have culminated in this proposal before you this evening."
<br />
<br />Mr. Beard~
<br />
<br />"The Planning Commission endorses the concept of the joint public hearing. The
<br />combined efforts of the City Council, Planning Commissioners, and the Board of
<br />commissioners of the Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority, enabled the
<br />comments and views of the public on these proposals to be heard by all of us.
<br />The Planning Commission recognizes the necessity for the establishment and com-
<br />p!etion of a program for 1975. And understands that the ability to perform in
<br />this first action year may result in an increased level of funding for the
<br />Community Development activities in subsequent year programs. It is anticipated
<br />that this experience, as well as the final Federal regulations for this program,
<br />
<br />
<br />
|