Minutes 09/15/1971 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Sentember 1~ 1971 71-411 The following letter received from Director of Planning: "At its regular monthly meeting on September 7, 1971, the City Planning Commission publicly resolved to re~comme'nd closure of the following paper street: S-71-4 A 12½ foot alley between Edison Avenue and Baldwin Avenue along the rear lot line of properties on that block fronting on Deep Creek Boulevard. Application is by J. S. Livesay, Jr. for: David M. & Nellie F. Kimberlin 101 Edison Avenue, Portsmouth Mrs. Ruth Trctman 106 Baldwin Avenue, Pcrtsmouth Mrs. Katie B. Porter 3505 Deep Creek Boulevard, Portsmouth gyndall G. ~ Virginia T. Jones 3509 Deep Creek Boulevard, Portsmouth Clarence O. ~ Mary A. 6arrett 3513 Deep Creek Boulevard, Portsmouth Because elimination of these paper streets is in the public interest, the Planning Commissien recommends favorable action on this application." On motion of Mr. Turner and seconded by Mr. Irvine Smith, the matter was referred to the City At%a~n~y, by the following vote: Ayes: Holley, Johnson, King, Irvmne Smith Raymond Smith, Turner, Barnes Nays: None 71-412 The following letter received from Director of Planning: "At its regular monthly meeting on September 7, 1~71, the City Planning Commission authorized its Director of City Planning to fiio the following statement with the Commission Studying Methods of Financing the Vehicular Connectionsbetween Norfolk and Portsmouth at its next meeting on September t7, 1971, in NorfOlk. The Virginia General Assembly named the Director of City Planning as one of fifteen members of this State Study Commission. Other cities such as ~Norfotk are responding'to this~ opportunity provided by the Moody Ccmmission for public discussion of various regional development policy statements. The City Planning Commission suggests that the Portsmouth City Council may want to resolve to add ~s endorse- ment to this statement: TOWARD ELIMINATION OF ELIZABETH RIVER TOLLS During our initial meeting on July 23rd, some discussion centered on how Elizabeth River tolls might be lifted. One opinion, subscribed to by several members, is that extension of the system of "Interstate and Natia~Rl Defense Highways" could provide an acceptable solution. On June 9th, I appeared before a breakfast meeting of the Highways and Transit Committee of the Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce and offered this viewpoint: 'Undoubtedly, the most dramatic announcement of 1971 dealt with the Federal decision to fund a-nine mile segment of the Interstate system from'Hampton to the tip of New- por. t News and thence to Portsmouth. This could~mean a quarter of a billion dollar toll-free crossing of Hampton Roads in the Interstate System, which everyday is getting to be a more important part of our lives. At one time, the "Interstate and National Defense Highway System" terminated on the Lower Peninsula. In 15 years, a full metro system has begun to emerge. Two missing segments remain to be resolved; both are programmed as future freeway system improvements -- the Route 164 Western Freeway and the extension of 1-64 from Bowers Hill to Belleville. Our hope is for'this region to peri%ion Congress for an additional twelve miles of Interstate freeway to close the circumferential "Beltway" gap between 1-64 at Bowers Hill and 1-664 at Craney Island. When the U. S. Department of Transportation first announced additional Interstate freeway mil.eage for the Hampton Roads metropolitan area in March of 1969, there fol- lowed months of bickering on newspaper front pages over whether Interstate 64 should extend down the west side of this Southside region to terminate at 1-564 at NOB or down the east side to terminate at Bowers Hill. Since Willoughby (Interstate 64) improvements had already been programmed, the east side decision was made; and we all agree it serves the interests of our entire metropolitan community. Everyone, in- cluding our neighbors in Norfolk, agree that a full circumferential "BELTWAY" is needed for proper development of this urban community. However, some suggest a 38th Street Tunnel to Craney Island. At this point, it may be merely a matter of regional priorities. The State Highway Commission said in the spring of 1969 that we must and will find necessary funds to complete the freeway network required to support a Third Crossing of Hampton Roads. Our TOP PRIORITY GOAL should relate to Congressional exten- sio~c~the Interstate System so that Interstate 64 can be continuous from Bowers Hill to Interstate 664, This seems to be an attainable goal, for the cost is relatively small, there is no relocation problem, the need is firmly documented in our official Regional Transportation Plan, and the State appears to have its 10% share available. Beyond this stage, there is the possibility fo fitting into the completed "BELTWAY circumferential freeway two additional radial segments -- one obviously is Route 164 (Beltway to Norfolk via Midtown Tunnel)~ the Western Freeway; and the other might be a radial freeway 1-364 from Craney Island to Norfolk. At this time, there is no"chicken or egg dilemma", for radial freeway spurs of the Interstate System must link to a cir- cumferential.' On July 29th, the Continuing Transportation Study Technical Committee, meeting in Norfolkl unanimously adopted the.following resolution: