Minutes 02/24/1959 - Laserfiche WebLink

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~e~ruarv ~4tb_ 1.b Application of Construction Associates to rezone property on southeast corner of Race St. and Loudoun Ave. Motion of Mr. Weiseman to approve on second reading was adopted.without dissenting vozeo 2. Application of S.H. Johnson, E.F. Johnston ~ud Mary E. Flick to rezone property on the northeast corner of Elm Ave. and George Washington Highway. Notion of Mr. Breedlove to approve on second reading was adopted, without dissenting vote. 3. Application of Delores Brown Waters to rezone property on southwest corner South and Court Sis. Motion of Mr. BarIlett to approve on second reading was adopted, without dissenting vote. 59-55 - The following communication from Milton L.Green was read: "It will be appreciated if you will give consideration to the proposed road location as shown on Exhibits A and B inclosed. T]iese roads provide the following unique advantages: 1. Only less than two miles of connecting roads between the existing undertraveled streets selected will est ablish a thourh, easz-west.route half way between the Churchland highway and the old Suffolk Blvd., and will assist in clearing traffic from the City's convested area. ~o Providing access across western branch in a third well-placed location, thereby providing a third physi- cal connection with the westernshore o~ the western branch which will be highly advantageous with re - gard to future annexations; and which will remove all water barriers on nazural harriers between Ports- ~outh and the Nansemond River. 3. Provides a way through~congested areas with avery small amount of condem/~ations. I shall greatly appreciate any attention you c~a give to this proposal." Motion of Mr. Weiseman to refer to the Planning Commission was adopted, without dis - senting vote. 59-56 - The following communication from Milton L. Green was read: "I would like to present a simple and economical plan for relieving traffic eongesti¢ in the downtown area of Portsmouth by cornlecting certain streets which are act heavily traveled at present. This plan would entail very little condenmation of private property and would help place th~ traffic load on .little used roads which are now existing. 0nly about two miles of secondaryro~d work would be-requ/re~o accomplish a through western_outlet with provisi~n for a third bridge atthe w~stern.br~3~ch halfway between the ~wo existing b~idges. Tile proposed route is approximately outlined on the accompanying map. It provides a connection for the proposed Piglets Point /kLunel at Kirn Ave. This route wo~ld lead westward from South St. az Chestnut St~ to South St. in West- haven and thence zo Park Manor Road in the area which the City proposes to sdGnex; thereby providing f[~ a much needed bridge over the western branch at a point halfway between the existing two bridges at ~od~es Ferry and the Churchland Road. ~. Your consideration,of this material will be highly valued by the undersigned. On motion of Mr. Bartlett this matter was referred te the Plar~uing Commission, without dissenting vote. 59-57 - The following communication from the Portsmouth getail Merchants Association "Recent publications have carried news stories relative re recommendations being made 2hat our present one-way street system should be abolishsd and that County St. and London.St. should be returned to 2-way traffic. We have no~ had a single merchant request that we suppor~ zkis reconmlendation, but we have had mann requests that we take a stand against such an ill-advised move.~ At a recent meeting of the Board of Directors Of our Association~ much time was de - voted to the discussion of this matser and we were .unanimous in our feeling that the present one-way arrangement on County and London_Streets is a very desirable and necessary mea~s of moving traffic in and out of our City. You will recall that when the Wilbur-Smith Traffic and Parking. Survey was made, the Retail Merchants Association of Portsmouth szood one-half the cost of this survey and we feel, and justly so, that we have a voice in this matter. This survey was a progressive ~ove in the right direction. It provided a definite and i~elligent plan for the City's p~rking and traffic needs, beth now and fo~ the future. S~e of the recoI~len- dations were put into effect; many were ignored by Council. This is to be lamented but it would be, indeed a real mistake ~o go backward any f~r~kker. Why, we ask, mus~ Portsmouth cling ~o such antiquated patterns? Why, surrounded by progressive communities, like we are, must we listen to a minute minority and just assume that the old way is best Wilbur-Smith is a aationally recognized firm in its field. Its suL~vey encompassed such facts as future growth, expansion, changes in patterns, and increased vehicular traffic. Portsmouth already ranks near the top in cars per capita. What will our problems be ten years from now? CouJlty St. and London St. have provided rapid ingress and egress for our City. They move hundreds of vehicles in and out of the City each day more smoothly ~nd more rapidly than any system we have ever had. ~e urgently ask that you retain at least these two recommendations of the survey and further request that a new and objective look be taken at the Wilbur-Smith survey by your body so that this thorough and expensive .study will ~oz be relegated to the trash basket as a us'eless expenditure. In closing, we respectfully submit that possibly a poll of ~our citizenry might further substantiate the stand we take. (Signed) Stephen K.Smack,President Motion of Mr. Bartlett to refer to the City ~nager was adopted, without dissenting