Minutes 06/24/1980 - Laserfiche WebLink

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June 24, 1980 "We, the citizens of Churchland, totally oppose the Comprehensive Plan proposal to change the zoning of the Beasely property and adjacent properties from low residential to industrial. We want the Beasely property and adjacent p?operties to remain zoned as low density residential. Signed by W. H. Hargroves, III, 3203 Camellia Drive and others" Cameron C. Pitts, 4816 Mallard Crescent, representing Hunter's Point Civic League, presented the following statement and petition: "As a represent&tive of the Hunter's Point Civic'League. I stand opposed to the section of the Composite Action Plan that calls for the change of the Beasley Farm and adjoining property from residential to industrial. We are not opposed, to the Action Plan itself. Portsmouth has Rlready lost its last virgin sand beach, first to Virginia Chemicals on the South End, then to Craney t.'slan~fDepot oh~the North End, and next the Sewage Disposal Plant was constructed, and finally the proposed oil refinery took the rest. Now the City Plans call for the violation of the most desirable pilece of ~esidential prop~rty that Portsmouth has. The North Shore of any river, and this one in parti- cular, is the best and most desirable by virtue of the following facts. The Western Branch of the Elizabeth River runs north to the Beasley Property and then turns east giving the shore a constant down river breeze in the summer, meaning little or no air conditioning is necessary. The constant breeze also means no mosquitoes, whereas on the South Shore they are prolific. In winter the ground and trees act as a buffer from the cold north wind resulting in less energy used to heat, whereas, th south side gets the cold wind right in the face. As 'a highschool kid, with a 3H.P. outboard and a $3.00 reject rowboat purchased from Rountree's, I trapped muskrat and mink for pelts and spending money on the in- lets arour~t, the Beasl~ey Farm. I hunted in the woods surrounding the farm, and it was a super place to grow up because we didn't have time to get in trouble with the police by virture of the fact that we were too busy having a good time. I remember asking my dad why more people didn't live in such a great place and he informed me that a very wealthy man Owned most of it and wouldn't sell it because he nknew it wa the greatest place in Portsmouth to live and he could afford it. Knowing it was zoned residential I thought I might be able to move there some day and fulfill a childhood dream. I now own my home in Hunter's Point where I used to hunt in my youth, to be as close to the Beasley Farm waterfront as possible. The industry, not relate~tO~-th~: oi~ ~ef~ry~!should b~ put on property already zoned industrial, like down-town, in or near the old Coast Guard Station. The petro related industry should be next to or on property already designated to the refinery and not on our last beautiful waterfront~ ruining the ecology and destroying the tranquility expected by the residents of Hunter's Point and the citizens of Portsmou If this Council votes to pass the Plan calling for the change to industrial, then thf Council should also vote to advertize in travel magazines for felons and criminals ti come to Portsmouth to enjoy the high rise view from the last'waterfront offered to the public, namely, the City Jail! Buffers have been stated in the plan but no guarantees have been offered. We ask fo~ the deletion of Beasley Farm and adjoining area from the plan because a look at Virginia Chemicals with the rotten piling still in the water after 20 years of non use and no buffers or Th~Lone Star Concrete Plant in Port Norfolk or the Scott Creek view of the Port Authority at the end of Constitution Avenue or the promised buffer between Mid-City Shopping Center and neighboring houses prove to us what Portsmouth does about buffers both Sight, Sound and Smell. Driving to the Ford Plan~ you can hear ~he paging inter-con over a half mile away. We have felt very comfortable with you, our City Council, and we trusted you as our elected officers to look after our interests with the present plan in force stating goals of the enhancement of the quality of life. If you make the City of Portsmouth an industrial financial success and a place where nobody wants to live, you will end up with the city of industry and welfare and crime like New York City. We, the residen~ of Hunter's Point, want to live in the quality of environment that we pur- chased, and are willing to pay for that privilege with dollars rather than having industry in our backyards supporting the city services and running us out of our homes and our city. There are 205 homes in Hunter's Point and I have 205 signatures opposed to this plan to turn in to you. of Som~you are leaving this Council after tonight and all of you are known as our city Fathers, but if you do not delate,'the Beasley Farm and adjoining city property from the plRnned industrial zoning you may be known as the City Rapists for you will have violated the last close-in virgin waterfront property Portsmouth has." Petition - "We, the citizens of Churchland, Totally oppose the Comprehensive Plan proposal to change the zoning of the Beasley property and adjacent properties from t~e low density residential to industrial:. We want the Beasley property and adjacent properties to remain zoned as low density residential. Signed by Catherine C.Burgess and others."