 |
The Southampton Citizens Association serves the Southampton/Stratford Hills community by promoting initiatives that preserve and improve the livability, economic value and welfare of our neighborhoods and valued community resources.
Our stewardship includes the James River, green spaces, roadways, churches, retail centers and recreational facilities.
We meet on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at the Southampton Recreation Center at
3201 Chellowe Road.
The meetings start at 7:15 and are always open to the public.
|
NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS
|
Cell Tower Vote 6/17/2008
The SCA voted against supporting the NTelos plan for a cell tower ( at the Southampton Baptist Church) in the community . The vote was 8 members against and 2 members abstaining. The meeting was well attended by neighbors who mostly opposed a cell tower. Some of the reasons expressed included: it being inappropriate for a residentiial area, visual concerns, the effect it will have on property values, and a feeling that there was sufficient cell coverage in the neighborhood already. Since our last meeting in May the SCA recieved approximatly 44 emails and letters from neighbors opposing a tower. There were 8 cards of support from a mailing NTelos sent to existing customers.
Cell tower update  *5/2008
Ntelos presented a revised plan for a cell tower at the April 17th meeting - the original plan was voted down by the SCA in December of 2007 - click here for details of that vote .
Unlike the original plan, Ntelos has not notified neighbors of the revised proposal. This new plan involves a tower at the same location that would still be above the tree line, but at 90 ft high it would be lower than the original proposal.
The new tower would also be 'disguised' to look like a tall pine tree with a cluster of branches at the top and simulated bark pole. There are no existing monopine towers in the Richmond metropolitan area- picture to the right is a simulation of the monopole (with optimum seasonal foliage) looking from the road behind the Church parking lot. The tower would only have a single carrier- Ntelos, instead of the original 2 carrier plan ( which would mean a smaller 'footprint ' area around the pole). The City would not likely turn down the single carrier design and commitment unless the City already had interest from another carrier or unless it felt there might be interest in the future) . The new proposal also calls for additional landscaping.
NTelos could not verify how many potential neighborhood residents it could effect.
Ntelos stated at the April meeting that they were planning on presenting this new proposal to City Council sometime in June/July.
> City Land Use Administration chose not to support the resubmitted plans for the monopole and felt satisfied that the current zoning regulation prohitting monopoles ( including stealth monopoles) in residential neighborhoods is appropriate... click here to read the full comment letter (letter was sent to Ntelos representatives on 4/08/08) .
Land Use has not recieved follow up letters from Ntelos representatives.
*The SCA was deadlocked on a vote of the revised proposal at the last meeting. This topic will likely come up again at the June meeting.
2008 Riverfest and Wicked RiverRun 5k
It was perhaps one of the hottest Riverfest's (and W.R.R. 5k's) ever, but nontheless a huge success. Junior tree climbers, an old fashion bicycle( with the big front wheel), rockwall climbers, rickshaws, mountain music musicians, river waders and swimmers, pint-sized bike parade participants, and more could all be seen enjoying the day along Riverside Drive
THANKS AGAIN TO OUR SPONSORS!!!
>Positive Vibe Cafe, ph 804-560-9622
>Councilperson Kathy Graziano, ph 804-320-2454
>Stewart Green Associates, ph 804-320-0442
>Long and Foster Realtors/ Marianne and Jeff Donahue, ph 804-288-8888
>Sands Anderson Marks & Miller, ph 804-648-1636
Area Development
Fraud Squad
Report City Goverment waste, fraud and abuse. Click Here to open a digital file with more information and phone number.
**Crime Watch
Petty crimes, such as change and small items being stolen from unlocked cars, still occur sporadically in the neighborhood. If this happens to you be sure to report it to the police.
Remember to always make sure to lock your car doors no matter how short your absence.
Other tips from the police include:
Never "hide" keys on your vehicle. They can always be found.
Never leave change or mail in view.
Do not leave your car registration in the vehicle.
Keep the interior of your car empty of possessions.
Huguenot Team April forum minutes-
(A Citizen’s Approach to Regional Cooperation- with 8 panelists icluding Senator John Watkins, School Board chair George Braxton, Council member Kathy Graziano, Delegate Manoli Loupassi and Chesterfield Board of Supervisor Dan Gecker) Click Here for minutes.
|
|
| 4th DISTRICT UPDATES |
New Rate Underscores Conservation Message
In an effort to encourage water customers to conserve water when supply is scarce, the City of Richmond instituted a water conservation rate, effective July 1, 2008. During designated periods of either voluntary or mandatory conservation, customers who make the decision to use more than 140 percent of their normal winter water usage (water consumed during December, January, and February) will pay a higher commodity rate on their excess usage.
Click here to view pdf
Letter from Council Member Kathy Graziano
Kathy Graziano announcement-open letter
Click here to read.
Household Hazardous Waste
St arting Monday, March 3, the City of Richmond will begin accepting household hazardous waste items at the East Richmond Road Convenience Center (3800 E. Richmond Rd). This free service for city residents will be available on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Items that will be accepted at the facility include:
>Solvents (mineral spirits, paint thinner, turpentine, acetone)
>Paints (oil or latex, polyurethane, tung oil, stains, varnish, shellac, tints, lacquer thinners, paint reducers, primers, varsol)
>Fuels (gasoline, gasoline additives, #2 fuel oil, kerosene, diesel, chain saw fuel, motor boat fuel, oil additives)
>Propane tanks
>Car fluids (motor oil, transmission fluid, antifreeze)
>Car batteries (lead acid batteries only)
>Household cleaners and drain openers
>Herbicides and pesticides
>Cooking oil
Real Estate Accessment Appeal Forms
If you would like to appeal your 2007 Real Estate accessment click here for the necessary form (pdf document) and print it out.
Scenic Byways
A Scenic Byways amendment for the City is being proposed to help establish a system for designating streets or other public ways of special signifigance . This includes the establishment of zoning and other land use controls to protect historical, cultural, and scenic qualities of such areas.
Click here to view the ordinance.
Tax relief for the elderly
As you may know, Richmond has a tax relief program to assist seniors and disabled on low incomes with the costs of real estate taxes. The link below includes a statement from Mrs Grazinao related to this years relief that includes essential information concerning the program.
Click Here for 2008 Real Estate Tax Relief for the Elderly and Disabled Forms
Click here for additional Tax Relief information
2008 Real Estate Reassessment Report
Click here for Report pdf
|
| Above information on 4th District provided by Council member Kathy Graziano's office. |
|
OTHER SOUTHAMPTON INFO
|
Cell tower vote
12/07- After many meetings and discussions the SCA voted to oppose the Ntelos cell tower (which requires a Special Use Permit on the R-2( residential) zoned land) at Southampton Baptist Church , near Cherokee and Comanche. It was a difficult vote considering the income it would give the church, but after taking in other considerations as well, including the fact that the tower would only benefit a limited area of Ntelos subscribers, it's effect on residential property values and the precedent a commercial tower in a residential neighborhood would set, the SCA ultimately decided that cell towers in our neighborhood weren't appropriate.
We did notify City Council about our decision, but the Ntelos proposal never went before Council.
Bulk trash pick-up
In a program that started in August '04 City residents can get free regular pickup of bulk items such as old mattresses, tree limbs,and other large items that won't fit in a supercan.
The collection schedule for our zip code (23225-23235) is the 3rd week of every month.
Pickups will not cover items like refrigeraters and stoves( "white goods" ). You can still contact the city to pick these items up for a $50.00 charge.
The minutes to the SCA Board meetings are now available online. Click on the "About" button in the menu bar at the top of this page and then go to the "Minutes" link.
2007 Riverfest/ RiverRun photos- Click here.
|
|
|
|
|
