Minutes 01/23/1962 - Laserfiche WebLink

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January 23rd, 1962 62-11-2 "I submit the attached Declaration of Policy by the City Council for a program of Cormmunity Improvement. This is submi.tted for Council adoption necessary for renertification to the Housing and Home Finance Agency for the elimination and prevention of slums and blight. This is an annual requirement of the Housing and Home Finance Agency reporting also the progress of the city with reference to Zoning, Sub-Division, Building Code, the Minimum Housing Code, etc." - Attached - 1962 DECLARATION OF POLICY FOR THEPROGRAM FOR COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT - PORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA '~s a community able to trace its growth back more than two centuries to that of a colonial coastal town, Portsmouth during 1961 witnessed events signifying end of an era. Twice as a town, prior to 1858~ and five times since then, Portsmouth reached out beyond her corporate limits to acquire portions of the spill- over urban fringe. In 1961, an unprecedented year of population expansion, redistribution and declining density, Portsmouth found it impossible to stand by idle while her rural neighbor and only source of additional land movee legally and politically to curtail further city acquisition of urban fringe areas. Alert ~o this challenge, Portsmouth moved to keep open her western frontier by filing another annexation suit against Norfolk County. Since political fragmentation of an urban community inherently detracts from its well-being, this annexation move constitutes an attempt ~o improve the city and is thus a Workable Program component. Moreover, in 1961, Ports- mouth in unveiling the Northside General Neighborhood Renewal Plan proposal experienced local opposition; but in no way comparable to that waged against the city's first and ohly redevelopmen~ project. Fully answered questions at s City Council public hearing prom~ted'many opponents to change their opinion openly and support the proposal. (During the five year interim, significantly, Portsmouth had annexed ten square miles.) When viewed jointly, these events represent a greater understanding of the problems and needs of an old central city on the part of Portsmouth citizens, without which sound city growth in the form of annexation and uPban renewal cannot take place. Eight Portsmouth Workable Program objectives for 1962 follow: 1. TO INTENSIFY CENTRAL CITY CORE REVITALIZATION BY PRESSING FORWARD ON JOINT DOWNTOWN GNRP - CBD - CIVIC CENTER STUDIES AND PROGRAMS. Firsthand local experience will permit the GN~P mo serve as a~-Dilot pro- jecv upon which to pattern efforts of similar nature in other declining neighborhoods. Central business district revitalization - civlc center development would demonstrate urban renewal values and gain public confidence. 2. THROUGH INTENSIVE NEIGHBORHOOD STUDIES, TO UNDERSTAND MORE FULLY PROBLEMS FACED BY GRAY RESIDENTIAL ARRAS BETWEEN CENTRAL CITY AND BURGEONING SUBURBIA, so that appropriate conservation programs may be developed. In this connection, the subject Of ~emporary war housing should receive attention in the form of dis- ciplined research and objective analysis. 3. TO PRESS CONTINUALLY FOR COMMUNITY PLANNING IN SURROUNDING SUBURBIA. Determined effort will be made ~o bring the December 196] annexation suit to s successful conclusion; and in the interim, renewed attempts made in Portsmouth fringe areas to work with Norfolk County officials on community planning within the broader conzext of established regional planning. 4. To continue support of the program of the Southeastern Virginia Regional Planning Commis- sion and participation in the regional ~i~TRO study discussions, in recognition of Portsmouth's role as a metro- politan componenT. 5. Through the City ~anager's Workable Program Coordination Committee, to review codes and code enforcement programs and the rehoubikg of persons displaced by various actions of governmenz and re make im- provements therein. 6. Through the City Planning Commission, to adopt legally a revised City ~aster Plan to the end that a comprehensive document dealing with t~nd use and' ~ransportation patterns, community facilities related to properly designed residential neighborhoods and commercial areas; and if possible this year, a long-range schedule relating proposed improvement programs 5o financing thereof; will be formalize~ as an offiqial municipal action guide. 7 Through the Mayor's Citizens Committee on Long Range Urban Renewal Policy, ~o review the National Housing Act and program ~nd in connection ~herewith our local projects end projected program. S. 'Through the Portsmouth Redevelopment and Mo~slng Authority, ~o close out the Lincolnsville urban renewal project,, to embark upon planning the required:GNRP project~ and to open the Washington Park public housing project. To many, this eight point pregram will seem extremely ambitious for a city such as Portsmouth: bul in reality, we elected officials recognize it to be desirable minimum without which the city cannot achieve its potential as an outstanding censtal community." On motion of Mr. Barnes, the "Declaration of Policy" was approved; Mr. Walker voting "No." 62-12 - "I submit the attached ordinance and recommend it be placed on first reading. This vacates the southern ten feet of a thirty-foot sewer easement e~ossing lot #75 of North Truxton. The 5eh feet are not needed by the City for this sewer easemenz and this will enable the owner re sell this property as a portion of the house is over this easemenz." On motion of Mr. Dillon, the following ordinance was approved on first reading, without dis- "AN ORDINANCE TO VACATE THE SOUTHERN TEN'FEET OF A SEWER EASEMENT CROSSING LOT 75 OF NORTH TRUXTON." 62-13 - "I submit the attached ordinance and recommend it be placed on first reading. This closes a portion of Potomac Avenue between South Street~and Frederick Boulevard. This has been approved by the Planning Commission." "AN ORDINANCE TO CLOSE THAT PORTIONOF POTOMAC AVENUE (FORMERLY VERMONT AVENUE) LYING BETWEEN THE SOUTH LINE OF SOUTH STREET AND THE NORTHEAST LINE OF FREDERICK BOULEVARD." Motion of Mr. Dillon that the matter be deferred until nex5 meeting in order 5o permit inter- ested persons ~o be heard. Motion of Mr. Barnes to amend the motion to read that it be returned to the Planning Commission with the request that the Commission report ~a~ the next ~eguler 'meeting of Council, on FebruNry 13th. Motion of Mr. Walker that rules be suspended to hear from interested persons was adopted