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<br />AUQust 14. 2007
<br />
<br />Background:
<br />. The City of Chesapeake is considering a use permit for an ethanol refinery to be
<br />located on Victory Boulevard, in close proximity to several Portsmouth neighborhoods.
<br />
<br />Discussion:
<br />. After extensive consideration, it has been concluded that the refinery, if
<br />constructed, would pose an unacceptable risk to community quality, quality of life, and
<br />public health for Portsmouth citizens and communities.
<br />. The developers of the refinery claim that it will employ advanced technology that
<br />will eliminate said risks or reduce them to acceptable levels.
<br />. These claims have not been documented in any proper empirical, scientific, or
<br />medical way and are at present unproved.
<br />
<br />Financial Impact:
<br />. If the refinery is constructed, it is anticipated to have a material adverse effect on
<br />real estate values in Portsmouth.
<br />
<br />Staff Recommends:
<br />Adoption of proposed resolution. Vision Principle: Thriving Neighborhoods and a
<br />Sense of Community.
<br />
<br />Next Steps Following Council Action:
<br />. The resolution will be officially communicated to all stakeholders.
<br />. The City Manager and the City Attorney will implement the resolution.
<br />
<br />Motion by Mr. Moody and seconded by Mr. R. Smith, to adopt the following
<br />resolution, and was adopted by the following vote:
<br />
<br />"RESOLUTION IN CONDITIONAL OPPOSITION TO A PROPOSED ETHANOL
<br />REFINERY IN CHESAPEAKE.
<br />
<br />WHEREAS, the City of Chesapeake is considering granting a use permit to
<br />authorize an ethanol refinery at property commonly known as the Chesapeake
<br />Deepwater Terminal, with an address of 1213 Victory Boulevard, also known as 714
<br />Giant Cement Drive; and
<br />
<br />WHEREAS, the proposed site borders on the City of Portsmouth, has vehicular
<br />access only via Portsmouth roads and is immediately adjacent to the historic Cradock
<br />neighborhood; and
<br />
<br />WHEREAS, the proposed site is in a densely populated area, with approximately
<br />5,000 citizens living within a one-mile radius, 28,000 within a two-mile radius, and
<br />81,000 within a three-mile radius; and
<br />
<br />WHEREAS, there are numerous respected and well-established neighborhoods
<br />in Portsmouth and Chesapeake within two miles of the proposed site, including:
<br />
<br />· In Portsmouth: Afton Commons, Afton Village, Bayview Gardens, Brighton,
<br />Cradock, Cradock Gardens, Deep Creek Village, Effingham Plaza, Fairview
<br />Heights, Highland Park, Hope Village, Independence Square, Marsh Landing,
<br />Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portside Manor, Prentis Park, Prentis Place, Southside
<br />Gardens, Stanley Court, Town & Country Apartments, Victory Village, and West
<br />Cradock;
<br />· In Chesapeake: Billups Park, Brentwood, Broadmoor, Country Woods,
<br />Crossbridge Commons, Fordville, Geneva Park Shores, Geneva Shores, Glen
<br />Isle, Interstate Park Condominiums, Oakville, Old Farm, South Norfolk, Spencer
<br />Farm, Sturbridge Village, Varsity Estates, Varsity Manor North, and Wilton Creek
<br />Condo; and
<br />
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