Many thanks to Karen Mayne for keeping these notes:
The Greater Wards Corner Task Force Meeting
February 13, 2014
City Council Member Andy Protogyrou led the meeting.
Parking on the Grass on West Little Creek Road – Leonard Newcomb, Norfolk Zoning Services Manager, said that the City has sent letters to the houses in the 100 – 600 blocks of West Little Creek Road about parking on the grass. The City will continue to use enforcement but is also trying to find a way to work with property owners to expand driveways.
Public Works
Medians along Granby Street that were damaged during the recent gas line and road work will be restored – damaged vegetation and sprinkler systems will be replaced. Anchor poles on the southeast side of Granby at Little Creek will be removed by Virginia Power once the weather improves. The City is looking at potential changes to turn lanes at the southeast junction of Granby and Little Creek and plans to install a traffic signal on East Little Creek Road at K&K Square. After the task force’s discussion of traffic congestion, traffic lights, illegal turns, etc. in this area, the City will convene a small working group of task force members to further discuss these issues.
Construction work on the underpass replacement at the East Little Creek Road/Tidewater Drive intersection will start on February 17. More information on this significant project can be found at: www.norfolk.gov/index.aspx?NID=282
Department of Development
The new Director of Development, Steven Anderson, was introduced. The City’s façade improvement program is being revised.
Harris Teeter will open on February 19 and other stores in K&K Square shortly thereafter.
The BP gas station property is under contract and should go to closing soon. The underground gasoline tanks must be removed. A one to three bay retail building is being considered; the City has not seen a site plan. Driveways to this property may be enlarged – City will have to approve the building and its driveways.
Community Reports
Artist Gordon Heuther of Napa, California has been selected to design the public art for Wards Corner; the contract has not been finalized. He will come to Norfolk to meet with residents before finalizing his design. His website can be found at: http://www.gordonhuether.com/
Talbot Hall Update – The Talbot Hall property, owned by the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia, is under contract with a group of local residents. The new owners propose to build 14 private homes on the 6+ acre property, while maintaining the manor house on ½ acre and setting up a foundation to restore and open it to the public. The Talbot Park Civic League has invited the new owners to speak to the civic league about their plans.
Meadowbrook School – The City issued requests for proposals for the redevelopment of several unused school properties around the city, which have been unveiled and a public comment period is underway. A public meeting will be held on February 19 at 7:00 pm at the Church of the Good Shepherd to discuss the potential redevelopment of the former Meadowbrook Elementary property. The Meadowbrook Civic League is opposed to development of apartments or condos on this site.
Next Meeting – There were requests to discuss the crime statistics for the area, the proposed school redistricting plans and how that will affect the Wards Corner area, and the public art project.
Wards Corner Now - Wards Corner, Norfolk, Virginia 