NORFOLK ALERT: Neighborhoods vs developer

I received the following request by email. Please read, share with your neighbors, and help out.

Dear Norfolk Neighbor,

We, the residents of Roland Park and Sunshine Homes, two Norfolk neighborhoods, are asking for your support and immediate action.

A developer from northern Virginia, Bonaventure Properties LLC, is attempting to change the zoning classification of some properties within residential neighborhoods in Norfolk from low-density, single-family zoning, to the highest-density zoning possible in Norfolk. Bonaventure wants to construct multiple 4-story, high-density apartment buildings containing 187 units in these neighborhoods.

The affected neighborhoods at this time are Roland Park and Sunshine Homes, which are located adjacent and near the intersection of Tidewater Drive and Norview Avenue. Both neighborhoods are entirely single-family houses, and the residents of our neighborhoods are overwhelmingly opposed to this developer’s attempt to obtain rezoning from Norfolk City Council. While this is a localized issue, it has citywide implications.

You may recall the same issue faced the Norfolk neighborhood of Highland Park in the spring of 2009. Norfolk City Council at that time ignored the pleas of opposition by that neighborhood, and voted to give that developer exactly what he wanted – a rezoning from low-density single-family homes to high-density apartments. Highland Park residents were then forced to undertake a legal petition drive to overturn that action of Norfolk City Council.

Norfolk City Council is elected to represent the citizens of Norfolk. Certain issues directly affect only specific neighborhoods, and in those cases City Council has the responsibility to defer to the express desires of the resident of the neighborhoods – not to the interests of outside developers.

What can you do to help us?

This case is scheduled for Public Hearing before City Council on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 7:00 pm. The hearing is held on the 11th floor of City Hall in City Council chambers.

There are many actions you can take immediately, and we do greatly appreciate anything you can do to help.

1. Call, email, write, and/or fax all members of Norfolk City Council TODAY and state your opposition to: Bonaventure Properties LLC application to amend the General Plan of Norfolk and to amend the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Norfolk. (City Council contact information follows below)

2. On January 12th, attend the City Council hearing. You have the right to sign up to speak on this issue, or just be there to support us and observe your City Council in action. Your presence will be felt and appreciated. If you intend to speak, please arrive between 6:30pm-6:45pm in order to register as required. Speakers are limited to just 3 minutes each. Photo I.D. is required to enter City Hall building. You can pre-register your opposition or pre-register to speak at the hearing by contacting Robert B. Daughtrey, City Clerk, Room 1006 City Hall Building, Norfolk, VA 23510 , 664-4253 or 664-4289 , Fax 664-4290 or by email .

3. Contact us by email or by telephone at 853-3414 (please leave a message) to let us know you helped us — and to let us know if you can help us after the 12th by circulating petitions – if a petition drive becomes necessary. The goal of the petition drive would be to have at least 300-400 people who will obtain 10-20 signatures each. We do need your help – no doubt about it.

4. On Thursday, January 14th, attend our pre-planned Petition Drive Kickoff -or- Celebration Party (depending on how City Council votes) at the Community Services Board meeting room at 6411 Tidewater Drive (adjacent to Roland Park) where we hold our Civic League meetings. Please RSVP if possible.

5. Ask your neighbors, family, friends, and co-workers to help us.

What are our specific issues to oppose Bonaventure Properties LLC?

1. Insufficient Open Space and Landscaping: This developer’s plan overbuilds this property to the degree that they provide less than 1/3 of the amount of open space required by the Code of Norfolk. For multiple-family development, the Zoning Ordinance requires 35% Usable Open Space, defined as space that is intended for the common use and enjoyment of the residents of the development. This applicant is providing only 11% of the site as usable open space. This does not meet the requirements or the intent of the Zoning Ordinance. The landscaping requirement includes trees to maximize shade to mitigate for the urban heat island which results from the extensive areas of paved surfaces. This applicant does not comply with this requirement either.

2. Insufficient Parking: The current Norfolk Code requires 357 parking spaces for 187 apartments, but the developer is only providing 301 spaces – or a shortage of 56 parking spaces. The developer is claiming various reasons to provide less parking – including some proposed different standards, which are not current Norfolk Code. Overflow vehicles end up parking on neighborhood streets, which we feel would cause traffic and safety issues for current residents.

3. Traffic Impact: Tidewater Drive is already heavily congested – particularly at rush hours and at this location. We feel that the entrance/exit will decrease safety for all people using Tidewater Drive and adjacent streets.

4. Neighborhood Impact: The General Plan of Norfolk, Vision Statement of Norfolk City Council, Mission Statement of the Norfolk Dept. of Planning and Community Development, and the Zoning Code of Norfolk all address the need to protect and preserve existing neighborhoods, and toward that end, specifically to maintain distinct separations between differing types of uses and densities. This is the very purpose of the General Plan and the Zoning Code – which this proposed project violates.

5. Neighborhood Control: As noted previously, Norfolk City Council is elected to represent the citizens of Norfolk. Certain issues directly affect only specific neighborhoods, and in those cases City Council has the responsibility to defer to the express desires of the residents of the neighborhoods. City Council does not know better than the neighborhoods, and should not dictate to us.

We thank you and do appreciate your time and support!

Norfolk City Council contact information is available here.