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Category Archives: politics
Re-zoning, and the Disappointing Marty Jewell
This past Tuesday night at its monthly meeting, the Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association once again voted and re-, re-, and re-affirmed its support for Urban Business District zoning for W.Cary St. and 100 block of Belvidere (we have been voting on this since at least 2002). We want to save the small businesses and houses we have left and encourage more mixed use in the future.
The following email exchange is related to this issue and is posted with permission. I will note that I have not heard from Councilperson Jewell since I approached him at the end of the Richmond Crusade for Voters meeting.
From: candylandmusic@earthlink.net
Subject: Re: [OregonHill] Jewell, rezoning, alley
Date: June 18, 2008 8:40:11 AM EDT
To: OregonHill@yahoogroups.com
Reply-To: OregonHill@yahoogroups.com
Many many hours of hard work have gone into coming up with this UB2 proposal. The City’s Department of Community Development are to be applauded for holding the numerous meetings among stake holders and proposing a unique zoning designation that can help the Oregon Hill Cary Street Corridor become a positive pedestrian oriented business/residential area and stave off inappropriate development. Jewell’s disengagement from his constituents needs is made more disgusting by his list of donors to his campaign (google “VPAP E. Martin Jewell” to see the list of developers that are “banking” on Jewell). Im just so disgusted with this guy and his shenanigans. Every time the neighborhood has needed his support, he votes against us or ignores us, to include smashing our newly gained R7 zoning in the rest of the neighborhood to allow a parking lot for his ol’ pal Salomonsky against the neighborhoods wishes. No new street trees this year, VERY little needed infrastructural repairs accomplished and supporting higher real estate tax rates are a few of his “accomplishments” as Councilman. Please vote for Mark Brandon in November for 5th district Councilperson. We desperately need a change.
On Jun 17, 2008, at 11:51 PM, Scott Burger wrote:
Saw our Councilperson, Marty Jewell, at the Crusade for Voters
meeting tonight. Once again, he claimed to have trouble reaching me
for some reason. He also says he wants to sit down and talk to me
about the Cary Street rezoning. I told him he could talk to me right
there. He said he did not know about the proposed rezoning. I told
him that OHNA had voted and revoted to support urban business
district zoning since 2002. He said that the Community Development
Dept. had not kept him abreast of recent proposal. I told him that’s
not true, because I had email where he was cc’ed. he said that was
not good enough notification. I repeated the neighborhood’s support
for rezoning. He said he did not blame us, he blames Community
Development. I repeated the neighborhood’s support for rezoning to
ub. He said certain property owners on Cary did not want the
rezoning. I asked him for names. He would not name them. I repeated
OHNA’s longtime support for rezoning to ub. He said he would talk
with me later.
Before he could brush me off, I repeated my concerns for the alley
behind the 600 block of Cherry. He acted surprised and said that Gary
Duvall in Public Works was supposed to have fixed it. I repeated that
the alley had not been fixed for some time now, and improper drainage
was threatening the historic John Miller House and other houses. He
called his assistant’s voice mail and left a reminder for her to
remind him.
Thanks,
Scott
Open High Mentioned in Article on ADA for RPS
An addition should be added to Open High for an elevator.
Along with solar panels.
Money should not be that big of an issue.
That building is a beautiful part of Grace Arents‘ legacy to Oregon Hill and Richmond education. It should not be closed. Open High, as a small school, is one of RPS’ greatest success stories.
Congratulations to Beatty and Wolf! They have worked tirelessly on behalf of Richmond children.
Diving Into the Mayoral Race
Wilder is defending his stormwater utility proposal. As an environmentalist, I am not against the idea of a stormwater utility, but there is a lot more to this than meets the eye.
As Oregon Hill residents have stated, the pools of water are still pooling, and thankfully at least one mayoral candidate has taken notice…
Virginia Anarchist Federation’s Spring Conference tomorrow
Curiously enough, the Virginia Anarchist Federation’s Spring Conference will be held tomorrow at the Willam Byrd Community House. More info on the VAF here.
It seems to have snuck up on others as well.
Review of Boundaries and Historic Status
Over the years, Oregon Hill’s boundaries have clearly changed. In fact, some wags say that the actual Oregon Hill neighborhood, as first established, existed mostly further east of it’s current location. Whole streets of row houses (and Pratt’s Castle in Gamble’s Hill) made way for institutional development, like the Virginia War Memorial and Virginia Housing Development Authority. Of course, the neighborhood has been steadily forced to give ground to the expansionist plans of Virginia Commonwealth University. Oregon Hill used to be on Main Street.
As King I declare Oregon Hill’s current boundaries as the following: to the east, Belvidere Street, to the west, Hollywood Cemetery and S. Harrison Street, to the north, W. Cary Street, to the south, the north bank of the Kanawha Canal.
This is necessary for three reasons. One is that VCU, the City, and other entities keep trying to play games with the official borders and that is unacceptable. Secondly, in addition to defining the current area, with this royal declaration, I am unilaterally acting to name Oregon Hill one of the City of Richmond’s Old and Historic Districts.
Some explanation may be in order: Oregon Hill already has Federal and State recognition as a historical district. “Oregon Hill is one of the best examples of an intact working-class Victorian (1837-1901) neighborhood in the United States.” It has many historic structures- from Grace Arents‘ legacy- the William Byrd Community House (the first free library in Richmond), the Arents School (Open High), St. Andrew’s Church, to earlier Quaker and free black buildings- the Jacob House, the John Miller House, and the Parsons House, to name a few. There is no doubt that it is worthy of being included as a City Old and Historical District.
For years, many preservationists have lamented that Oregon Hill had not received this status. If it was just a matter of getting a vote from the neighborhood association, it would have been done years ago. Unfortunately, it had required a petition drive that many absentee landlords and speculators would not want to take part in. With this decree, I bypass the bureaucracy.
While State and Federal status offers some protections, City designation offers more. In the past there has been concern from residents and property owners that going with the designation would surrender too much control to the Commission of Architectural Review (CAR), but since I am King and all final decisions come to my absolute authority anyway, there is now less concern with CAR’s power. I will hear neighbor appeals and rule accordingly.
Which bring me to the third reason for declaring the boundaries. As King, I reserve my right to expand them in the future. Since the City no longer annexes surrounding areas, I might as well annex on behalf of the neighborhood. To be announced…
Second Edict: Grow Gardens for Self and Community Sufficiency
Peak Oil vs. Global Warming vs. The Long Emergency and about a half dozen other scary phrases…
As the newly declared King, I intend to lead a war on fear itself by crafting a long term policy dedicated to the principle of self-sufficiency. With the price of a gallon of gasoline or a loaf of bread soaring, now is the time for Oregon Hill to start thinking about how to provide its own energy and food. This neighborhood is no stranger to faring for itself. Done properly, this strategy will only strengthen the neighborhood.
And it is important to recognize that this sort of thinking is already prevalent in many existing initiatives. The Grace Arents Community Garden, started by the Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association and now administered by Tricycle Gardens, is just one of them. Obviously, even with the addition of outside produce sellers brought in by the Byrd Market, this one community garden will not be able feed all Oregon Hill residents. Community gardens should still be supported and grown, but they will most likely be stripped very quickly if crisis emerges, so private gardens are also necessary. Even if emergencies do not present themselves, residents will benefit from an abundance of fresh, less expensive food and an improved environment resulting from a determined ‘greening’.
Its not just fresh produce. While Fine Foods has a decent selection of beer, candy, and other materials, it is lacking in other categories. The Earthlings Organic Food Coop is a valuable enterprise for the neighborhood, but I am reluctant to count on the monthly truck delivery to meet all packaged food needs. Mama Zu’s, 821 Bakery Cafe, Mojo’s, and a soon-to-be-reopened Hollywood Grill offer options, yet it is clear that the neighborhood could use more. Stockpiling and emergency pantries are a must.
With these factors in mind, I give my second royal edict: GROW MORE FOOD. Start vegetable and victory gardens now. Using square foot gardening and sustainable farming methods, I am confident that my subjects can find many public and private places to fulfill this command. Residents do need to be careful to avoid contaminated soil, and more crabgrass and vermiculture is desired to help de-contaminate. Irrigation from rain barrels and beekeeping are encouraged. At this time, until tribute is demanded, citizens should feel free to sell and trade their crops without royal interference.
Again, this is the first of many coming decrees that will form my overall policy of self-sufficiency.
First Edict: Eugene, I command thee
to commit Virginia Commonwealth University to a more environmental friendly future. As King of Oregon Hill, I demand that you, President Trani of VCU, sign a treaty that addresses global warming, along with other college and university presidents. This will improve the the environment of Oregon Hill and the world. I am trying to look past the fact that you are scheduled to sign this on April Fool’s Day, and will take this seriously.
I Declare Myself ‘King of the Hill’
I have been President or Co-President or Acting President of the Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association (OHNA) for over four years now. No one has offered to take over that leading position, or that of moderator of this neighborhood blog, or that of owner of the neighborhood email discussion group. OHNA elections have been postponed or delayed for months, much to my disliking. Therefore, at the risk of a street beating by old-timers and taunting by college students, I, Scott Burger, hereby renounce all titles other than that of King of Oregon Hill. I declare my intention to rule by fiat as supreme leader of the neighborhood until I decide otherwise.
I recognize the potential concern that this assumption of power will create, and I assure my neighbors that I will continue my benevolent reign, with mind to fairness and order for all. In return, I do demand fealty, obedience, and respect, and, perhaps at some point in the future, tithe and tribute. At this time I am considering the appointments of royal advisors. For now I will hold my court at the same time and place as that of the regular OHNA meetings, 7pm of fourth Tuesdays at the William Byrd Community House.
I already formulated several royal decrees, and those will appear on this website in short order. Until notified otherwise, residents and visitors should still follow and respect the laws of the City of Richmond, Commonwealth of Virginia, and the United States of America.
Scott Burger
Silence Says It All
No response whatsoever.
From: scottburger@mac.com
Subject: Ordinance No. 2008-34
Date: March 14, 2008 1:56:25 AM EDT
To: PantelWJ@ci.richmond.va.us
Cc: Norman.Sales@Richmondgov.com
Dear President Pantele,
The Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association takes a strong position against VCU’s request to close two alleys within the Oregon Hill Historic District. We believe that the legal requirements for alley closure established by the Richmond City Code Section 90-327 were not followed, and, therefore, the vote to approve the Ordinance No. 2008-34 closing was in error and must be reversed.
City Code Section 90-327 (2) specifically states that an ordinance proposing a city alley closure cannot be introduced until written consent is given by the owners of real property who have a right of ingress and egress from their own property to those portions of the alley to be closed and whose property is situated between the block boundaries encompassing a proposed alley closing. These written consents must be approved as to form by the city attorney and filed in the office of the city clerk.
It is our understanding that neither the City nor VCU obtained the written consent of the two property owners at 130 and 132 S. Cherry before the Ordinance No. 2008-34 was introduced, as required by City Code Section 90-327 (2). These two property owners have a right of ingress and egress from their property to the portions of the alley to be closed and their property is situated between the block boundaries encompassing the proposed alley.
President Pantele, we ask that you request the City Attorney to review this matter as soon as possible, and we request that Ordinance No. 2008-34 be nullified as not meeting the legal requirements of City Code Section 90-327 (2).
Sincerely,
Scott Burger
President, Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association