THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, July 25, 1995 TAG: 9507250008
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Medium: 60 lines
Portsmouth City Council's final vote on the proposed shopping center on the former Churchland High School site is today at 7 p.m. There is some important information which Portsmouth citizens need to know.
At the last City Council meeting, Dr. Thomas Muller, a nationally known economist, came to Portsmouth and did a preliminary report on the proposed development. His report stated that when considering a retail activity, it is crucial to distinguish between gross and net sales gains. He stated that the proposed supermarket is likely to draw most of its sales from existing supermarkets in Portsmouth.
The report also stated that the proposed discount department store, Caldor, is a third-rate chain which does not have the draw of a WalMart and is unlikely to recapture a significant share of the purchases made by local residents shopping elsewhere, particularly in Chesapeake.
Dr. Muller feels Caldor ``will not be a magnet to attract other retail activity'' and ``given the weakness of both Caldor and Portsmouth retail trade, this anchor tenant may close its operation within 2-4 years following its opening.''
In other words, Portsmouth could be left with another Mid-City Shopping Center, which would destabilize Churchland retail as it exists today.
A site plan shows that almost all of the 33 acres will either be paved or covered by buildings. The developer's plan for dealing with stormwater runoff is to build approximately five grassy swales which will drain out to the back of the property and be discharged into the wetlands. Pollutant levels will ultimately increase in neighboring streams and lakes. Yet the city has not provided an environmental-impact assessment.
According to a City Planning Commission report, the proposed development will generate 13,449 auto trips a day. This does not include existing traffic, because a traffic survey was not done. Proximal residents from Westmoreland, Sweetbriar and Nottingham will have a difficult time accessing High Street since there are no stoplights at their intersections and no plans by the city to alleviate their situation.
According to a report, there will be a backup at Trucker Street and Tyre Neck Road at peak hours. No stoplight will be there either. A day-care center and a funeral home near this intersection will have difficulty ingressing and egressing. Traffic delays will be immense.
On the strength of this information, council was asked to defer its decision until a study could be completed to support the best use of this property. Only Councilmen Martin and Robinett voted to defer the decision.
Long-term economic, environmental and social stability are at stake for Portsmouth. Yet we witness our elected officials blindly voting for a development without first considering the safety and welfare of citizens and the future of the community.
Portsmouth citizens should protect their investment by attending the meeting tonight and voicing their comments before council.
DOROTHY P. EVANS
Portsmouth, July 17, 1995 by CNB