Minutes 06/14/1966 - Laserfiche WebLink

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June 14, 1966 LastlF~we are concerned with the-~piles of dirt off Mohican Drive. This is dirt cleared away during the development of CollinSwood. Children eontinu~lly play here. This also creates an unsightly vie~ not only to the people living in the area, but also to people driving thru Collinswood. Since City Park Avenue goes through Collinswood, you can see that quite a few people view this. We are seeking immediate h~lp with this project, since the coming summer months draw more people and playing children outdoors." The following letter from the Collinswood Civic League was read: "This letter concerns the property belonging to several people and also to the City of Portsmouth located in the Collinswood area. The members of the Collinswood Civic League would appreciate any help 'you could extend in having said property improve to the point of safety and beauty. The property concerned is located facing Cherokee Road, Chowan Drive, and Airline Boulevard. Dirt has been piled up at these locations for monthssin such a way as to be dangerous and unsightly. Children are continually throwing dirt clods and injuring themselves, also they are completely hidden from view when they walk or play behind these mounds of dirt. There are high growths of weeds and small trees which could permit foul play or harm to our children without it being se~n by anyone. People have been seen in these Iocations with shopping bags which are presumed to be merchandise shoplifted from various stores and these articles are hidden there until they return for them at a later date. On the property located near the Portsmouth Bowling Alley is a ditch approximately six foot deep. Besides being a hazard to children,' this place breeds rats, mosquitos, and other insects and rodents. City Police Officers have killed several.large~ratK.~n and around this area. We would like to call to your attention the lake and surrounding property belonging to Westview Building Corporation; The lake has been dredged and the water there has been measured around the edges at least ten feet deep. There is s~nd piled approximately fifteen feet high around one side of the lake. The combination of deep water and high sand piles is certainly a constant threat to our children's safety and a constant worry to the parents. To the best p~rour knowledge, there has been nothing done to protect the children from falling in this ~ater, even so much as a fence or other safety de~ice. We would lik~ to see some form of City Ordinance passed to pro- tect homeowners and their children from hazards and unnecessary dangers of this type. We have tried in various ways to have the owners of these properties do something about the persistent conditions, but have not had any favorable results. We feel that we must get results, as we do not want another incident of murder and rape occurring to our neighborhood ch%ldren, orunnecessary drowning or sickness due to conditions that could have been taken care of had the owners of this p~operty taken interest in the welfare of members of this community. We will appreciate fully the attention and action that you can direct toward this matter." Motion of Mr. Barnes that both letters be referred to the City Manager with a request that-he report back at the next regular Council meeting, was adopted, without dissenting vote. 66-157 - "In accordance with your action of November 25,1965 and similar actions by the other participating jurisdictions designating the Southeastern Virginia Regional Planning Commission as their agent to carry out the Continuing Comprehensive Transportation Plan~ing Process for the Southeaster~ Virginia Regional Transportation Study Area, we have prepared the attached Agreement which we intend to sign with the .Virginia Department of Highways. We refer this proposed Agreement to you for your review and approval. We request you to appoint your representatives to the Poli~y Committee and your three representatives to the Technical Committee in accordance with the Agreement. In anticipation of these appointments, and your approval of the proposed Agreement, the Commission has authorized its Chairman to sign the Agreement upon notification by each of the participating jurisdictions of their approval' and appointments. It is anticipated that the data required for the Continuing Comprehensive Transportation Planning Process willbe compiled with the aid of the participating local governments. Since this is an ex?erimental program, no detailed costs for its executi~are available, No request for funds is made at this time. It is anticipated that additional costs, if any, will be partially underwritten by Federal Bureau of Public Roads and Housing and Urban Development funds.¥ Motion of Mr. Barnes to refer to a conference of Council, was adopted, without dissenting vote. 66-158 - The following letter from the Cedar Point Garden Club was read: "We, the members of Cedar Point Garden Club of the 0live Branch area of Portsmouth respectfully ask the City Council to deny any requests for the changing of residential property to commercial zoning C-1 or C-2 and the changing of C-1 to C-2 on either side of Portsmouth Boulevard from Hodges Ferry Brid~e to First Friends church area. The primary purpose of our club is the beautification of our community and yards. This boulevard is one of the~main entrances to Portsmouth and we would like to see it remain residential and beautified. We want to cooperate with the City of Portsmouth inmaking a pleasing entrance into this city. All efforts for beautification of this area of Portsmouth will be in vain if the spot zoning continues to be done on this boulevard. The line can be held and Portsmout~ Boulevard be a pleasure to drive on and live on. For instance look at the lovely residential sectionof Granby Street bridge to Wards Corner.