Minutes 08/21/1972 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

August 21~ 1972 were At a special Public Hearing meeting of City Council, held on August 21, 1972, there present: Jack P. Barnes, E. Saunders Early, Jr., James W. Holley, Burrell R. Johnson, Isaac W. King, Raymond B. Smith, Robert W. Wents, Jr., ~. P. Jo~_~soni,~Jr~City Manger~_C~S.~Scialdone, Assistant City Attorney. Meeting called to order by the Mayor. 7~3~S~ P~btic Hearing on Mt. Hermon Conservation and Redevelopment Project. The following letters were read: Senator William B. Spong, Jr.,.U.S. Senate "It has been brought to my attention that the public hearing on the proposed Mt. Hermon Conservation and Redevelopment Project has been set for Monday evening August 21, 1972. Although my schedule will prevent me from attending this hearing, I wish to express my con- tinued interest in this and other programs designed to upgrade the housing conditions of this City. Out of the public hearing I am confident that a program will evolve which will be of benefit to this community. Although I am unfamiliar with the complete Urban Renewal Plan for this project, I am advised that it is the largest area included ~ithin any single Urban Renewal Project under- taken in Portsmouth, and ~he ~10.4.Million grant reservation is the largest single reservatio for Urban Renewal made in the State of Virginia. I am also advised that it is a combination Conservation and Redevelopment project designed p~imarily for residential use. Recognition of the cooperation given by the Mt. Hermon Community leaders and the local governmental agencies in developing this project should be made. It is through such cooper- ative undertaRings that continued progress in improving urban communities can be effected. This project had it sbirth in the fforts initiated by the leadership in the Mt. Hermon com- munity as early as 1967. The enthnsiasm expressed by these civic leaders toward the necessit of improving their neighborhood is an example for our City and State. I am certain that out of this public hearing and the Urban Renewal plan that may be adopted for this community a better City of Portsmouth may be expected. The work of up- grading our cities is often a long and frustrating experience due in large part to budgetary limitations of our municipal governmental agencmes, however, these efforts must be continued to provide a quality of life demanded by our citizens. My office continues to be open and available to assist this proposed project, or any other to be undertaken. Best within the City of Portsmouth." this City and its citizens in wishes for continued progress James S. Eilbert, Vice-President, Virginia Iron & Metal Company "The Virginia Iron & Metal Company or'Portsmouth, Inc., conducts its business on propert] included within the proposed Mount Hermon Conservation and R~development Project. The use of this property for redevelopment purposes is considered inappropriate and discriminatory. The premises now used by Virginia Iron & Metal are immediately adjacent to commercial property exempted from the Redevelopment Project. Furthermore, commercial land immediately across Turnpike Road and now housing a scrapyard and two other businesses has been exempted. This arbitrary exemption of certain businesses is considered discriminatory. Too, the Virginia Iron & Metal Company is the only scrapyard in Portsmouth now purchas- ing scrap aut~mmbiles from both commercial and private sources. For that reason it is con- sidered unwise to close down or relocate the yard. Finally, merits in its undertaken at redeveloped. two years ago, the City required Virginia Iron & Metal to make visible improve- facilities in order to be granted a use permit. These improvements have been considerable expense. Certainly, they were unwarranted if the area is to be Thus, it is recommended that the five or so acres owned a~d operated by Virginia Iron & Metal Company be continued to be used for scrap operations, and this property c~e~pted from the Mount Hermon Redevelopment Project." James N. Garrett, Attorney "This firm represents Aubrey G. Sweet and Aubrey G. Sweet, Jr. in the development of certain parcels of land heretofore purchased from the City of Portsmomth consisting of some six plus acres, located on the east and west sides of Broad Street at its intersection with London Expressway. As you know, the Sweets have contracted to construct certain improvements on this property and to complete same by March 1975. A substantial portion of the agreed imrpovements are presently well under way on the east side of Broad Street. Plans for the development of the parcel of approximately two acres, located on the west side of Broad Street a~e going forward. Needless to say our clients have expended time and funds in the development of the entire parcel involved. Obviously, with the development of the eastern parcel of land for motel purposes, consideration must be given to complementary development of the parcel fronting on the east side of Broad Street.