Minutes 05/26/1981 - Laserfiche WebLink

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280 May 26, 1981 "Porzsmouth annexed Hattonsvitle twenty or more years ago (formerly then Old Norfolk County) in order to have a suitable area for industrializing. For two decades we have not been able to build or extensively repair our homes because this area is zoned industrial. Thi area was the first to be selected. Portsmouth apparently forgot the most valuable industrial area in Portsmouth and sought other areas to industrialize and has not been too successful at this time. Again PRHA is trying to resolve the plight of Hattonsville by purchasing our proFerty whe~ HUD releases the '81 grant monies. Now this is the filling in the Pie: If and when they receive the monies, it will not be sufficient to purchase all of the property in Hattonsville in mass. They estimate seven or more years before they will be able to relocate us; a total of three decades of being held in limbo. The people of Hattonsville feel they are due more consideration than they are receiving; therefore, we are requesting that: a portion of this huge parcel be rezoned "Residential"; all houses worthy be moved to that section and all others given privilege to build, if they so desire, All this can be done economically and beneficall to all'concerned." Petition "We the undersigned sale of our property and requesting of you that a houses that we may retain our neighborhood slave forefathers carved out. property owners and residents of Hattonsivlle, do not agree on the th~ relocation of the residents out of the Hattonsville area. We arc portion of Hattons~ille be rezoned that we can rebuild or move our unity and to retain a portion of the land that our We feel this is a resonable request; and we hope that by Gloria Newton, ~100 Block of Airline Blvd. and others" Joseph R. Dillard, 2605 Ballard Avenue, time to Theodore R. Miller. the city council will agree. Signed representing Hattonsville Civic League, waived hi Dan E. Griffin, Suite 308 Professional Building, representing Design Advisory Committee, D-S Area, stated that the Design Advisory Committee endorses the Downto~rn South Plan, and quested that the city look into further research in those areas not to be acquired so the two areas can be brought together as far as the redevelopment is concerned. Ms. Lucy M. Overton, 36 Hobson Street, representing Old rruxtun Community League, presented to issues from the League - a place where citizens may go ~discuss business as to what is to be done and how it will be done; and what benefit will the non-home owner derive from the conservation program. Nathan Thomas, 4116 Twin Pines Road, representing Twin Pines Concerned League g BUD, expressed appreciation as to what has and will take place in Twin Pines, and through continued efforts the citizens will be proud of the community but will be unable to complete this projecl on their own; some of the citmzens in the area still need financial help and with the help of the city Twin Pines can be upgraded. Joseph E. Knight, 4820 Portsmouth Boulevard, representing of new property and the increase of the tax base. Ms. Mabel Southside, following "I 'm self, spoke against the purchas~ Raymer, 1008 4th Street, representing Bell as a landlord and homeowner in spoke concerning the city having complete control over property owned by citizens. Hardy, 4644 River Shore Road, representing J. H. Hardy, Inc., presented the statement: here to speak on behalf of J. H. Hardy, Incorporated, owner and operator of a privat~ parking lot coverning over 50% of the land area of the two southern most of the four hlocks being considered tonight for acquisition by the P.R.H.A. in the Newtown area. The two blocks included in this area are used for parking by shipyard employees with approximately 240 cars using 82% of the land area in the block south of Jefferson Street and approximately 140 cars using 51% of the land area in the block immediately south of Fayette Street. The J. H. Hardy, Incorporated owns 63% and 57% respectively of the land area in these two blocks. I began this parking business in 1969 and have been acquiring property since this time to satisfy the parking needs of the shipyard employees using the Labor Board and Fourth Street gates. Some of the lots purchased during this period had hundreds of dollars of outstanding real estate taxes dating back to before World War II. Since purchasing the property, real estate taxes have been keptup to date and federal and state income taxes and social security taxes have been paid on the income from the property. As our business has grown, the daylight crime rate in the immediate area has dropped to practically zero due to dedicated surveillance by the operators, city and shipyard police cooperation, and a neighborhood watch system that is beginning to work. This area is probably as safe now as most areas of High Street. The land in question could no~ be used for a better purpose than it is now being used sin( parking area is at such a premium in this corner of the city. In addition to providin$ a necessary service for it custom,rs, at a reasonable price ($.45 per day), my business ms payin~ taxes, providing employment to a family living on the property (one of which is handicapped) and making a profit. What more could a city ask of a business within its boundaries? This is a classic example of private enterprise working.