PORTSMOUTH -- Dozens of people filled a room at Portsmouth Christian Church Thursday a part of an effort to fend off a proposed development that would plopped dozens of new homes in their community.
"It doesn't do anything for us. It only does something for you," Monica Sparks-Williams told developer Bob Arnette.
Hulls Creek at Port Norfolk would be a community of about 40 homes. It would sit on the property where Port Norfolk Elementary School once sat.
The fact that the school building had been torn down was a source of some concern for people living around the property who questioned whether contaminants such as asbestos are in the ground. An environmental specialist hired by the developer says tests clear the way for construction.
Another fear is what adding dozens of houses in the area will do to a section of Portsmouth prone to flood.
"They're fairly sure that there'll be no flooding. They're fairly sure," Sparks-Williams explains, "but we're trying to figure out where, the water has to go somewhere."
"Their concerns are legitimate," Councilman Paige Cherry tells 13News. "They have flooding already. They want to make sure they don't have additional flooding."
Cherry, along with Vice Mayor Charles Whitehurst, Sr., attended the meeting Thursday.
"We're gonna hear both sides," says Cherry. "We're looking for the highest investment of the land, and, also, make a better Portsmouth."
A number of people feel "better" doesn't entail putting in a development on the land, especially when you consider the current real estate market which includes a 40-year low in new home sales.
"When JFCOM (Joint Forces Command) closes," began one person at the meeting, "I have two co-workers who are putting their homes on the market -- one in Portsmouth and one in Suffolk -- this week. We already have 50-plus homes in Port Norfolk for sale."
Arnette says if the flooding issue cannot be resolved, Hulls Creek, as planned, will not move forward. Meetings between him, people who live in the area, and people with the city will continue.
Councilman Cherry estimates it will be about 90 days before there's any real advancement in the development process.
