Minutes 08/22/1972 - Laserfiche WebLink

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August 22. 1972 "The City Council in session on August 7, 1972 approved a petition to rezone property on Hodges Ferry Road from C-1 to C-2 Commercial for Mr. Walter Carter, petitioner. It is my understanding that Mr. Walter Carter is negotiating with Commercial Insurance Agency, owners of the subject property to erect a metal type building on this property to be used as a skating rink. I am well aware that a member of City Council has an interest in this property and that another member of City Council is affiliated with Commercial Insurance Agency. I am opposed to spot zoning in any section of the City of Portsmouth, and especially when the commercial property is immediately adjacent to residential properties. I~am of the I opinion that the commercial zoning will be a DETRIMENT to the adjacent residential propertiesI and not an ENHANCEMENT. I am opposed to this rezoning and would like to request that an opportunity bo speak in opposition be granted to Mr. Donald R. Steele, President of the Hodges Ferry Home O~ers Association during the second reading of this rezoning when the Council is mn session on August 22, 1972. I would be most appreciative if this opportunity is afforded the President of the Hodges~ Ferry Home Owners Association." The following letter from Rev. U. G. Robertson, Pastor, Central Baptist Church, was read: on "I request the opportunity to speak in opposition to the proposed changing of the zoningI th~ property at Portsmouth Boulevard and Hodges Ferry Road. The constituency of the Central Baptist Church is opposed to property and wishes to express its opposition through its pas~tor. business meeting voiced its opinion and desires to be heard." the spot zoning of this This Church in a schedule The following letter, supporting Rev. Robertson, was received from the following: "I am a member of Central Baptist Church, zoning of property at Portsmouth Boulevard and be allowed to speak." and our Church stands in opposition to re- Hodges Ferry Road. I request that my pastor Clifford H. Royster Mrs. C. H. Royster Pamela J. Crawford Daniel J. Moore Frank Caudle Rev. Robertson spoke in opposition. The.following letters in support of Z 72-40 were read: "In r~eference to your article in the Portsmouth Newspaper concerning a Roller Rink in th Hodges Manor area, I cannot understand why the churches are opposed to it. The churches are supposed to stress family $ogetherness and unity. This is part of Christian living. My husband and I have been going to the Plaza Rink in Lynnhaven since its opening and both of us skate too. We take our son (15), our married daughter (21), anolher married couple (22) and 3 other youngsters ranging in age from 14 through 17. Every Baptist Church in Portsmouth area at one time or another has taken groups to this rink to skate and enjoy the clean, wholesome recreation that is offered. The rink is under good management and has strict rules which are enforced. In all the years I have been going to this and other skat- ing rinks, I have yet to see loitering, drug addicts or undesirables hanging around. I skate the full sessions wi~h the youth and so does my husband. Where else can the youth go to have clean, supervised recreation in a Christian ~a~mosphere? Along with the church meeting~ they need other recreation. By disapproving the Roller Rink in Manor Area the adults and churches are montributing hoodlums, drug addicts and other undesirables because there is nowhere in Portsmouth where the families can go and enjoy active recreation like skating toga~her. When are the adults in Portsmouth going to wake up and do something beneficial for our~youth? Everything whole- ! some for the youth they oppose and then wonder why many of them are engaged in undesirable t~ COME ON, City Council! Wake up! Lets give our youth and families a Skating Rink in Manor Area so they can be off the streets and enjoying something beneficial and clean. Churches! City Council! give the families a Skating Rink in Manor Area. Janice D. Webster, 109 Sykes Avenue" Signed by "We understand Walter Carter is applying for a permit to erect a skating rink at the new shopping center located at,Portsmouth BDulevard and Hodges Ferry Road. Inasmuch as Walter Carter operates several of these rinks in either areas it would be an asset to have one here in our own neighborhood. His skating ~inks are clean, orderly and respectable -- ss much so -- churches in our vicinity are busing their children and teenage members to his "rinks" to provide recreation that is well supervised. Please accept this note from two homeowners and voting citizens. Signed by Walter K. Hodges and Mrs. Walter K. Hodges, 222 Charlotte Drive" lngs.