THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, April 25, 1996 TAG: 9604250530
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A8 EDITION: FINAL
SERIES: DECISION 96
PART 2: THE ISSUES
SUFFOLK
LENGTH: Long : 221 lines
Age: 57
Education: High school graduate
Employment: Rigger general foreman, Newport News Shipbuilding
Q: Name 2 mechanisms that the city needs to guide future development.
A: 1. Declare a moratorium on permits for residential building.2. Appoint a Blue Ribbon committee to study this problem. It appears now that our governing body is working without a growth plan for they city.
Q: With growth comes demand for city services. How can a spread out city equalize its offerings between new and existing residents?
A: By just being fair. I don't believe anyone can justify skipping a community with (outhouses to provide (other) homes with sewerage. The people who come to council year after year, pleading for relief, wait patiently while many new residents receive all services in relatively short periods. We have Nansemond Borough residents who have to maintain their own roads without any help from the city. And, just a stone's throw away, the city is preparing to widen the road that leads to the racetrack. Somewhere and sometime, we are going to have to set up a priority list for services in the city of Suffolk.
Q: How can the city of Suffolk balance its rural charm and business?
A: Suffolk can balance its rural charm and business through growth planning. This would clearly spell out which areas would remain rural and which would be used for business.
Q: Name two ways the city can attract business?
A: 1. Improve the attractiveness of the city by showing interested businesses that we are a progressive-minded city that is putting forth efforts to correct the problems that we have in housing, education, recreation, roads, etc. 2. Offering incentives such as tax breaks, discount land, water, sewers, etc. J. DODD BROOKS
Age: 34
Education: Suffolk High School, 1980.
Employment: Co-owner/President, Suffolk Temporaries, Inc.
Q: Name 2 mechanisms that the city needs to guide future development.
A: A sensible land-use policy and utility extension. To implement them: 1. Clearly redefine and reduce the size of existing urban development areas. 2. Direct residential and business growth to those developed areas. 3. Provide public utilities and services to those areas . . . then pray!
Q: With growth comes demand for city services. How can a spread out city equalize its offerings between new and existing residents?
A: General operating funds now provide the same services (school, fire, police, trash collection, etc.) to existing and new residents. Public utilities are self-sustaining, and fees are collected from users to pay for service. Not all neighborhoods want or need public utilities because of costs, private wells, etc.
Q: How can the city of Suffolk balance its rural charm and business?
A: Rural zoning classification allows only limited business; therefore, no conflict exists. Only when land is rezoned by the city for a higher use does conflict. Good land use policies are a must!
Q: Name two ways the city can attract business?
A: This depends on where. The central business district or outlying areas? The city will have to aggressively compete for new industry. And there are few, if any, existing buildings in the central business district worthy of occupying. Lower the BPOL tax, lessen restrictions on zoning, centralize locations, then provide utilities (if not in existence). And offer incentives. RICHARD R. HARRIS
Age: 51
Education: Graduated high school, 1963; attended Old Dominion University, Paul D. Camp Community College
Employment: Co-owner, J&E Auto Supply
Q: Name 2 mechanisms the city needs to guide future development.
A: The comprehensive plan must be updated, and zoning and subdivision ordinances revised. These are the tools Council and the Planning Commission need to guide development.
Q: With growth comes demand for city services. How can a spread-out city equalize its offerings between new and existing residents?
A: With more than $60 million of identified water and sewer needs alone, this is one of the most challenging tasks that Council faces. Council is debating a utility and Connection fee policy to address these issues as fairly and equitably as possible while taking existing residents into consideration. Community Development Block Grant funding is available for specific projects in qualifying areas. Beginning this year, Council has committed to a Capital Improvement Plan that sets aside specified amounts each year for neighborhood projects to address long-standing needs as well as potential needs.
Q: How can the city of Suffolk balance its rural charm and business?
A: I believe we need to re-emphasize and direct new development toward existing community centers that have historically been the focal points of activity in Suffolk. We need to protect and preserve agricultural productivity as the mainstay of the city's economy. Minimum lot-size requirements in agricultural districts should be increased. We also should consider reducing the amount of residentially zoned land to meet growth requirements of the next 5 years only. This could be reviewed and modified as needed.
Q: Name two ways the city can attract business?
A: We must be willing to recruit new businesses and give them a reason to locate here. In the proposed operating budget, Council has asked that funds be set aside to promote Suffolk and to offer incentives to prospective businesses. We also must provide a variety of sites, preferably with infrastructure in place and ready to build on. THEODORE ``T.C.'' WILLIAMS
Age: 76
Employment: retired
Q: Name 2 mechanisms that the city needs to guide future development.
A: 1. A logical approach to the extension of city services (sewerage, water, police) to all areas. 2. Construction of schools prior to construction of new major housing (part of that cost to be borne by developer).
Q: With growth comes demand for city services. How can a spread out city equalize its offerings between new and existing residents?
A: The first and most important item on the council's agenda to equalize services should be ABOLISHMENT of the Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority. Monies saved should be used to assist core city residents in the redevelopment of their neighborhoods. (This may require a charter change).
Q: How can the city of Suffolk balance its rural charm and business?
A: Suffolk's effort to balance the rapid growth of new businesses will have to be a really sincere joint effort by the Planning Commission and the City Council. Rural areas are a major asset to this city and must be carefully maintained for future generations.
Q: Name two ways the city can attract business?
A: 1. First, and most importantly, is to offer land and services at the very lowest cost possible. 2. Eliminate - or vastly reduce - business taxes for a fixed period, possibly for the first 10 years of (business')operation in the city. (This may require a charter change). WHALEYVILLE CURTIS R. MILTEER SR. Age: 65
Education: Completed two years, Norfolk State University
Employment: Retired supervisor, Naval Air Rework Facility; City Council member since 1980
Q: Name 2 mechanisms that the city needs to guide future development.
A: Adopt a balanced-growth plan in which development will occur around the core city.
Q: With growth comes demand for city services. How can a spread out city equalize its offerings between new and existing residents?
A: Control growth and adopt a plan to improve existing housing.
Q: How can the city of Suffolk balance its rural charm and business?
A: Develop a plan and a strategy that meets the needs of rural and new business at the same time.
Q: Name two ways the city can attract business?
A: 1. Compete aggressively with other cities. 2. Reduce the cost of land. SLEEPY HOLE MARIAN ``BEA'' ROGERS
Age: 60
Education: Goucher College, Towson, Md.
Employment: Dental assistant, Red Cross, Hawaii (two years); assistant director, Oasis Social Ministries, Portsmouth; elected to Suffolk City Council, May 1992.
Q: Name 2 mechanisms that the city needs to guide future development.
A: 1. The 2005 plan, the city's land-use map and plan for future direction and development, needs updating. According to the plan, this should have been accomplished in 1994. 2. Zoning ordinances need to be re-written to include more stringent specifications for developers to follow. These might include stipulations for sidewalks, gutters, green space/recreation.
Q: With growth comes demand for city services. How can a spread out city equalize its offerings between new and existing residents?
A: 1. Infrastructure for new residential subdivisions is installed and paid for by the developer, then deeded to the city at no cost. The city must seek state approval for impact monies to cover additional city services. 2. For existing residents, capital improvements in the CIP may be accomplished with a prudent funding mix from the utilities fund, general fund and Community Development Block Grant funds. 3. New schools should incorporate co-located community centers and recreation areas. Community-based police officers operating from satellite facilities would provide improved contact and community relations.
Q: How can the city of Suffolk balance its rural charm and business?
A: 1. Suffolk's rural feeling can be retained by utilizing new RS1 and RS2 lot sizes, larger than the prior R1 size, along with RR (one acre) lot sizes. 2. Controlling connections to water/sewer lines is another method of controlling our growth. Since major lines enable development, their placement is a matter of great interest and requires care and forethought. 3. Suffolk has identified multiple large land tracts, more than 3,300 acres, for business and industrial use. We have provided incentives in this year's budget to attract businesses.
Q: Name two ways the city can attract business?
A: 1. Enterprise and free trade zones are already in place. 2. Closure funds/advertisement. The proposed budget provides for industrial development closure funds, $250,000; marketing funds, $100,000; continued support of the Eastern Virginia Investment Corporation, $30,000; and increased support for the Forward Hampton Roads Initiative, $54,000. 3. The 20(CT) business tax for downtown expires this July. Rather than providing additional funding for revitalization, it appears to have reduced and stifled growth. It should be allowed to expire and should not be extended again. BILL BISHOP
Age: 59
Education: Pursuing a bachelor's degree in aviation management
Employment: Retired as a master chief petty officer, U.S. Navy
Q: Name 2 mechanisms that the city needs to guide future development.
A: 1. A council with vision and leadership. 2. A comprehensive land-use plan that reflects future needs of the city while preventing urban sprawl and protecting existing neighborhoods - one that council will adhere to.
Q: With growth comes demand for city services. How can a spread out city equalize its offerings between new and existing residents?
A: Mandate for new developments that developers install the needed infrastructure and connect to mains when they become available, and impose impact fees for such city services as schools and fire and police protection.
Q: How can the city of Suffolk balance its rural charm and business?
A: Protect farm land and natural habitats by locating residential growth and industry close to the core city and selected sites.
Q: Name two ways the city can attract business.
A: 1. Have in place a highly efficient and effective industrial authority that, along with an active council, promotes Suffolk as a great place to do business and to live. 2. Ensure that we have a qualified work force and infrastructure in place, at the right place, to locate new industry.
KEYWORDS: COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS PUBLIC JOURNALISM SUFFOLK CITY COUNCIL
RACE CANDIDATES GROWTH by CNB