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5. Problems of the Old Community: During the course of the committee's work, we sought to become
<br />more familiar with the problems of the 0'lder co,unities, l~fe toured sections of the city where human and
<br />urban renewal and revitalization are so vitally needed. I am submitting to you this evening, in so, orate
<br />correspondence, action of our committee which expresses our concern a~d unanimously gives our support to
<br />your efforts to make Portsmouth truly a model city.
<br />
<br /> 6. Highways and Bridges: The committee is aware of ~h~ vast and var~&<:.problems involved with
<br />developing ~ new section of t~city. We wish to go oh record as putting our highest priority on the
<br />improvements of the only arteries to and from the annexed area, n~mely, the, West Norfolk Bridge, and the
<br />Western Branch Boulevard, ~etween the Churchland Bridge and th.e Churchland High School. The resolution
<br />adopted by ~he Council on these items is the first step toward the solving of these problems, and is a
<br />good start, but immediate action on these projects must be forthcoming. On behalf of every motorist who
<br />is required to use these traffic monstrosities-we ask your help.
<br />
<br /> To make a final appraisal of the work of our committee would be for us impossible. We hope that in
<br />handling the many questions concerning annexation, which have come to us in person or by phone, ~as eased
<br />the burden on the City Manager and the City Officials. In this way, we hope we have made a material
<br />contribution.
<br />
<br /> In the work of our conmnittee, our over-all goal has been to siimulate the civic interest and
<br />~ride in the residents of the annexed area. {If we canjjudge from the number of persons who have indicated
<br />their intentions of running for City Council in June, it would appear we've been over active in this
<br />regard). In the past six months, we have seen the attitudes of the people change from feelings of distrust
<br />and animosity to expressions of interest and co-0operation. The committee wishes to remind the Council
<br />that the annexed area has no representation on the Council, the Boards, or Commissions of t~e City.
<br />Until the time passes when, through the democratic process, the people of the annexed area have had the
<br />opportunity to express themselves, all decisions affecting the annexed area must be carefully deliberated.
<br />B/ly imprudent action would serve to destroy the spirit of co-operation the City has tried so hard to build.
<br />
<br /> Mr. Mayor and Gentlemen of the Council, on behalf of my committee, I wish to thank you for giving
<br />us the opportunity of serving our new City. As a final act of our committee, we should like to propose
<br />that here and now the term "mnnexed area" be laid to rest, and Churchland be allowed to take her place beside
<br />the other communities of our City in working to build a Better Fortsmouth."
<br />
<br />The following resolutiofi, presented by Mr. Knight, was on his motion, unanimously adopted:
<br />
<br />"A RESOLUTION CONE{ENDING THE ~MBERS OF THE CHURCHLAND AREA CITIZENS ADY~SORY PLANNING
<br />CO~IITTEE ON THE SPLENDID PERFORMkNCE OF THEIR DIFfIES
<br />
<br /> k~EREAS, the members of the 6hurchland Area Citizens Advisory Planning Committee have given
<br />voluntarily and freely of their time and talents to help plan the orderly development of the annexed
<br />area of Churchland; and
<br />
<br /> ~%~ER~AS, the comprehensive plan and the zoning plan which they developed have been recommended by
<br />t~e PlanningCommission and adopted by the Council of the City of Portsmouth with virtually no modifications;
<br />and
<br />
<br /> ~fHEREAS, the dedication of these citizens to the discharge of their civic responsibilities has
<br />contributed to the morp orderly transition of the annexed area.
<br />
<br /> NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Portsmouth, Virginia, that this Council
<br />hereby ex~ssf:i~sgappreciation for the splendid work done by the members of the Churchland Area Citizens
<br />Adviso~/ Planning Commlittee in making a major contribution to the future development of their area.
<br />
<br /> BE ITFuRTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be spread uponthe minutes of this Council
<br />and a copy be presented by the Mayor to each member, of said committee."
<br />
<br /> Motion of Mr. Barnes that the resolution be made a part of the permanent records of the Cotmcil
<br />was adopted.
<br />
<br />The following reports from the City Manager were read:
<br />
<br /> 68-99 - "I submit the attached resolution and recommend its adoption. This authorizes condemnation
<br />proceedings for property in the right-of-way of the London-Glasgow Street Expressway. This condemnation
<br />is necessary due to title deficiencies in the property."
<br />
<br />On motion of Mr. Leafy, the following resolution was adopted, without dissenting ~ote:
<br />
<br />"A RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE FOR THE ACQUISITION OF CERTAIN PROPERTY BY THE CITY OF PORTSMOUTH
<br />UNDER EMINEN~ DO~IN PROCEEDINGS PURSUANT TO Ct~LRPTER 229 OF THE ACTS OF ASS~4BLY OF 1966,
<br />SAID PROPERTY BEING NECESSARY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION, WIDENING AND IMPROVEMEN~ OF STATE HIGHWAY
<br />ROUTE 58 FROM THE INTERSECTION OF AIRLINE BOULEVARD k~D HIGH STREET TO THE INTERSECTION OF
<br />LONDON ~ND EFFINGH~M STREETS.
<br />
<br /> I%~EREAS, in cooperation with the Federaland State Goverrments, State Highway Route 58 is being
<br />constructed, widened and improved from the intersection of Airline Boulevard and High Street to the
<br />intersection of London and Effingham Streets in the City of Portsmouth, Virginia; and
<br />
<br /> I~4EREAS, one of the obligations of the City of Portsmouth with respect ~eesaid project is the
<br />provision of the land necessary for the construction; and
<br />
<br /> WHEREAS, the City of Portsmouth has found it to be necessary to acquire the interest hereinafter
<br />specified in and to the hereinafter described parcels of land situate in the City of Portsmouth, Virginia,
<br />for the purpose of constructing, widening andlmproving the aforesaid State Highway Route 58; and
<br />
<br />%FHEREAS, the City of Portsmouth has not been able to purchase the property described herein,
<br />
<br />
<br />
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