April 28, 2009 Norfolk City Council

May 7, 2009 by dwillis

On April 28, 2009 Norfolk City Council voted to change the zoning on 901 Waterfront Drive from R-8 single family to R-14 high density. At the same time, they voted to amend the general Plan of Norfolk to rezone the entire block between Killiam Ave and Colley Bay and 50th St and the paper street Waterfront Drive from R-8 single family to R-11 high density.

This was done against the wishes of the owners of the other single family residences on that block, over 150 other residents in that immediate area, the Highland Park Civic League, the Larchmont Civic League and the official position of the Norfolk City Planning Commission. The reasons for voting against this rezoning were numerous and included, inadequate ingress and egress from the property, inadequate parking for the a development of this size, the increase in density, the increases in traffic, the increase in noise and trash that will come from this development, and the negative effect this development will have on the environment

A brief history.

In the early 1990’s the city changed the zoning on this very property from the highest density to single family residences. City Planners at that time felt that the high density was destroying the single family residences and the neighborhood of Highland Park, This was done with the blessing of the residents, the prior property owners and the civic league. Other areas of Highland Park were also down-zoned at this same time. Since that time (although there is still a long way to go) there had been a rejuvenation of sorts in the neighborhood, the amount of owner occupied houses has increased and the civic league has become more active. Since that time Highland Park has supported many higher density projects by ODU or in conjunction with ODU such as the District at ODU. This support came the assurances that there would be protections for our neighborhood.

Highland Park does not support this zoning change and will be petitioning this decision

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