Cottage Line Civic League! Minutes September 1, 2016 President Vic Yurkovic called the meting to order at 7PM at the Prelaw Library on September 1, 2016. Approximately 30 people attended. Officer Folscher reported relatively quiet in Cottage Line during the summer: stolen vehicle in 1400 block (keys left in the car) and at the Ocean View Inn, rape reported at the 1800 block access, robbery attempted in 1900 block. The police were pulled off the beach patrol at one time to help with the increase crime in Bayview. There were 25 arrests in those cases. They are continuing to monitor the Ocean View Bus Stop and the Library
Updates: -7-11 open at Chesapeake Blvd. An agreement is in the works to have the old 7-11, the apartments next door and the 905 cafe building be demolished and added to the project being built at Chesapeake St. -Company doing upscale apartments beside the new 7-11 have 1 more hurdle to get over and plan for construction to start in March 2017 and take 18 months. -Sand Management Plan has been approved by City Council and the Board is being setup. -Bay Oaks Housing - NRHA didn t have money but expect to start in 9 months. Andrea McClellan, City Councilwoman for Superward 6 spoke about: 1. Event Rentals - Air B&B, Vacation Rentals By Owner etc. These new situations are here to stay and are not going away. How to handle the issues and concerns of localities throughout the state is on the agenda for the General Assembly in January. Regulation need to be local with
taxes, if enacted, staying in localities to pay for the additional enforcement personnel. The Issues discussed from recent incidents in Ocean View were: 1. Parking Spaces - Usually houses in Ocean View have limited parking available 2-4 spaces. Several rentals had parties bringing 20-40 cars into neighborhood. 2. Noise concerns - parties lasted until 1-2 AM. 3. Garbage - There was no one to put the cans on the curb on Wednesday or take them in. Lawns had trash scattered around. 4. Health concerns - Concerns about bed bugs and other pest invasions from lack of cleanliness were also discussed. There were several positive comments that have been received from owners who have used the services to rent out rooms in their homes and had no issues and wanted to continue to receive the added income. Norfolk has a regulation restricting any rental less than 30 days. If residents have any issues, i.e. noise, parking etc. concerning event rentals call police. Local governments need citizens input. Contact your councilpersons or state representatives: Norfolk City Council: Ward 5-Tommy Smigiel, phone: 757-531-7595, email: thomas.smigiel@norfolk.gov
Super Ward 6 - Andrea McClellan, phone: 757-664-4268, email: andrea.mcclellan@noroflk.gov. General Assembly: Delegate Christopher Stolle, phone: 804-698-1083, email: delostolle@house.virginia.gov Senator Lynwood Lewis, phone 804-698-7506, email: district06@senate.virginia.gov 2. She proposed a water view tour of the city to include up and down the Elizabeth River to visualize concerns at the commercial piers, coal pier, Campostella, Harbor Park etc. during the City Council retreat scheduled 18-20th of September in order for the Council to better understand the challenges facing the city in these areas. 3. Reported on initiations to improve schools, Ready to Thrive identifies kids in need. Local businesses have contributed to give students the material needed, i.e. backpacks, notebooks, pencils, etc. Over 1000 children have been served. 4. Code enforcement issues - City Council must budget more hours for enforcement personnel. Some of the issues are houses needing repair, cars parked on lawns, trash in yard, hedges encroaching on sidewalk. A point of contact for residents seeking information about or requesting services form the City of Norfolk is www.norfolk.gov/requesttracker
5. The Waterside project demolition will be done August 23 with the opening date scheduled for April 2017. 6. Some of her initiatives include having the entire City Council meetings broadcasts live, creating an AP for smartphones to get easier access to City government offices and making the City website more user friendly. _Thelma Drake, Transportation Strategic Planner for the City of Norfolk spoke about the VDOT study of the next Hampton Roads Harbor Crossing. Norfolk residents and business owners must voice their opinions by September 19 to ensure our future need are met. For more information and to submit your written comments to VDOT go to Online www.norfolk.gov/hrcrossing or www.hamptonroadscrosssingstudy.org email: HRCSSEIS@VDOT.Virginia.Gov or mail: Mr. Scott Smizik, VDOT, Environmental Division, 1401 E. Broad Street, Richmond VA 23219. A simple email I am in favor of Alternate. is sufficient.
There are 4 project alternative being considered that could improve connectivity and accessibility between Norfolk and the Peninsula. Alternatives A and B do not include a new crossing to the Peninsula.. Traffic from commuters, tourist and the port (incoming freight traffic) will continue to clog our roadways. Both Alternatives C and D include a new water crossing and provide 6 additional travel lanes. Alternative C was a previously approved HR Crossing project. Now Alternative D incorporated the best elements of Alternative C and significantly enhances that plans with improvements to the HRBT. Mayor Alexander stated that Alternative D addresses several major transportation projects and offers the greatest benefit to our transportation network. It is important that Norfolk residents weigh in on this study. This is a pivotal decision for our city and our economy that will affect generations to come. In Alternative D, 20 properties will be impacted down from 120 in Alternative C. Getting Alternative D approved is the first step in process which will include an environmental Study. It is a plan with many phases that once approved will move ahead without more studies. The General Assemble passed specific
money set aside to pay for transportation initiatives by increasing the wholesale gas tax and increase in sales tax for our region. When money becomes available phases will be started. This is the 1st step in the process with 2022 point of breaking ground. _Mr. Robert Hollowell, of 2045 East Ocean View Avenue gave a presentation about his request for a special exception to City Code that would allow him to operate a commercial fishing support vehicle on the beach in Ocean View for about 60 days a year. All of our members present (over 30) at the civic league meeting fully supported Mr. Hollowell s desire to return haul saline fishing to the beaches of Ocean View and granting of a special exception. The next meeting will be on the 1st Thursday in November, the 3rd. Volunteers for officer positions for the Civic League were requested to be elected at this meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 pm.