Sandra Canepa Monday, 2/13/06, 6:33 PM
On Friday, 10 Feb, Councilman R. Gilliland sent an e-mail to other Hampton city leaders and city staff with a suggestion which read in part:
"Currently the Buckroe Plan, inclusive of the Bayfront Initiative, is on hold (with the exception of 4 specifics listed in the resolution passed by council), pending more clarity regarding Ft. Monroe.
"We are confident that Ft. Monroe will ultimately be turned over to Hampton...exactly when and under what terms and details is still to be determined. I believe we should use this lull in the process productively by resurrecting the planning process.
"I recommend that staff reconstitute the planning team, ensuring proper representation of various interests and broad notification. Once reconstituted the team should take up the Bayfront Initiative specifically, but do so in the context of the total Buckroe Plan and with Ft. Monroe in mind."
Mr. Gilliland then requested the City Manager to please assist by speaking with staff and facilitating discussion of resurrecting the planning process.
Mr. Gilliland provided me and others with an information copy of his e-mail and stated he hoped we passed it along to our constituencies. Additionally, he ended by saying his hope was that his e-mail would spark productive dialogue.
I applaude Mr. Gilliland's suggestion. It is a wonderful step forward for everyone, be you a supporter for keeping Lots B for the public or be you a supporter for selling Lots B to developers for private residents.
This is progress. A resurrection of the planning process for the Bay Front Initiative will involve fresh voices and opinions on the fate of those lots from throughout the city.
Please touch base with Mr. Gilliland and Council and City Staff and let them hear your feelings, your productive dialogue, about his suggestion to resurrect the planning process on the Bay Front Initiative (Lots B).
A link to Council is on the homepage of this website. Thank you.
E-mail: sandra@buckroebeach.org
