THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, June 13, 1996 TAG: 9606120141
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: COVER STORY
SOURCE: BY TERRI WILLIAMS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: 131 lines
URI AVIN, a principal partner with the Columbia, Md., firm LDR International, called it a ``fact-finding mission.''
Avin and a team of consultants were in town last week for a bus tour that traveled much of Suffolk's 436-square-mile terrain. Also on the four-hour ride - a preliminary to updating the city's Comprehensive Plan - were Planning Commissioners and city staffers.
Data collection was the priority, as LDR and city staffers went to:
Farmlands in Holland.
The Suffolk Municipal Airport.
Hall Place, just south of downtown.
The East Washington Street corridor near downtown; North Main and Godwin streets.
Lake Prince near the Isle of Wight County border.
Everett's Road to Chuckatuck and Harbour View, where development is booming.
The tour ended at Shoulders Hill Road and Nansemond Parkway, the site of a proposed race track and industrial park.
In an earlier interview, Planning Director Paul E. Fisher said he chose to visit Holland because of its large agricultural base. The downtown, East Washington corridor was selected because of the ``uniqueness of the problems and opportunities.'' Other city real estate is being assessed for its development potential as well as preservation, said Assistant City Manager William E. Harrell.
By early fall, the city plans to host a series of community visioning meetings in which they will solicit community feedback for the plan, which will act as a blueprint toward Suffolk's future. The city last updated its plan in 1989.
But if you want to know what Avin thinks about those spots, you're probably going to have to wait until the plan officially kicks off. Avin is an intense man; he doesn't reveal much about his methods or ideas.
Sitting at the front of the bus, with red-rimmed glasses perched at the bridge of his nose, Avin spoke quietly into a miniature tape recorder as the big city bus sliced through rolling Holland farmland.
The bus abruptly halted when a beagle pup trotted across the road. But Avin didn't flinch; he was still intent on taking his notes.
Commercial growth, utilities, development and road transportation were the primary issues assessed during the trip.
Planning Commissioner Sylvester Jones commented to his fellow bus passengers that Route 13 has had its share of car accidents and that road improvements are needed. Other commissioners agreed and nodded in affirmation. Fisher said the route is a major thoroughfare for North Carolina as well as Newport News Shipbuilding commuters.
C. Richard Keller, an engineer and traffic analyst on the team, said road access is a key component to planning a quality development strategy. A heavily traveled road such as Route 13, Keller explained, presents problems because new roads eventually must be built. Often urban planners don't think about road access during the front-end of their deliberations, Keller said.
``There may be a new way of developing the streets,'' said Keller of Suffolk. ``That's what this is all about, developing a new plan.''
The bus roared on into downtown and the East Washington corridor. By this time a television news van was following closely behind as curious Suffolk onlookers watched. Avin continued to make comments into the tape recorder. Finally, the bus stopped in Stratford Terrace, a neighborhood that Fisher noted has had problems with overhanging power lines.
Avin finally had something to say about Suffolk: ``There's tremendous diversity, and therefore the issues are diverse. It will make it (the plan) very challenging.''
But challenging is nothing new to Avin, according to other city officials who have worked with him.
In Annapolis, Md., city officials said LDR used models of European waterfronts as a way to help them redevelop Annapolis' fronts - a key component toward that city's revitalization. City Planning Director Eileen Fogarty described Avin's methods as ``innovative.''
``He has an outstanding reputation,'' said Fogarty. ``They've handled some very complex, controversial issues and handled them well.''
Currently, LDR is also assisting city officials in Morgantown, W.Va., with their Comprehensive Plan. Morgantown hasn't had an updated plan since 1970, yet the city has grown by 40 percent, said City Planning Director Bill Bechtel.
But updating their plan hasn't been their toughest task; keeping community momentum going is. Bechtel blames summer vacations as one reason for small turnout at neighborhood meetings.
``Public participation is very important to let us know what we as professionals need to know what the issues are,'' said Bechtel.
Suffolk City Council members hope citizens will participate and that their voices will be heard.
Councilwoman Marian ``Bea'' Rogers, who represents one of Suffolk's most rapidly developing boroughs, Sleepy Hole, said environment, development and recreation should all figure into the plan.
Rogers also said most constituents in her northern area borough are concerned about keeping lot sizes big in residential communities.
``I am hoping we are going to strongly look at areas in the city that are ecologically sensitive,'' said Rogers.
``We have wetlands in our city . . . You don't want to impact the wetlands in such a way that you drive out all the wildlife. We have to look to recreational uses as well as the commercial and agricultural uses,'' she said.
Meanwhile, Vice Mayor Curtis R. Milteer, who represents the Whaleyville borough, said he hopes planners and city staff don't forget downtown and the southern end. Residents in his area want utilities and growth along the 13-32 Route corridor and around the Suffolk Municipal Airport.
``I think we need to focus on a balanced growth policy where growth will occur around the core city and the southern end,'' said Milteer.
``The downtown area will never be stabilized without a balanced policy. In order for that to occur, we need utilities in place so growth can happen around it.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
Participants on the ``fact-finding mission'' stop to check out
Northern Shores Elementary, the new school being built in Harbour
View, where development is booming.
Consultant Uri Avin, left, sheds his coat as he talks with Planning
Director Paul E. Fisher.
Planning Commissioners and city staffers get a look at new homes in
the Burbage Lake section.
Graphic
JUST THE FACTS
City Council last week approved paying LDR International $175,000
to assist with updating the Comprehensive Plan. The process will
take about 18 months.
The City Council adopted its 2005 General Plan in April 1989.
The city will host meetings - yet to be scheduled - in Holland,
Whaleyville, the core city, Chuckatuck and North Suffolk - to get
citizen input. by CNB