An Archive of Assorted SCA Online News ( starting from 2007)

Crime Watch Update
09/15/2010- There have been numerous break-ins reported in our community in the past few weeks. Please be sure to report any suspicious activity, and remember to keep your doors and windows locked when your not at home.

SCA Awarded
Council President Kathy Graziano presents Richmond Community Service Award to Mary Argenteanu and
Mary Blanchard for the support and commitment to the Southampton Learning Garden Project
 













May15 '10 SCA Night at the Diamond
It was a big night at the Squirrel's Nest (Diamond). If any neighbors came to the baseball game - we are sorry we missed you. It was another sellout. Parking before the game, and seating in the section we had hoped to meet were a bit tricky.
But if you came we hope you had a good time.

Southampton School's Outdoor Lab and garden project – Mary Argenteanu of the Richmond Audubon Society (RAS) and students from Southampton Elementary School work on the creation of a new garden area at the school. The program, sponsored by the school staff and RAS, is an all-volunteer effort to create an outdoor learning experience for the students as well as to beautify the school and the neighborhood.  With help from the Audubon Society, Southampton Principal Linda Bennett and her staff, and community volunteers, the group laid out an ambitious plan to use gardens as a teaching tool, and a way to beautify the school and the Southampton neighborhood.  The improvements this fall call for the creation of a native plant garden and raised plant beds. The program is supported solely by contributions.
Southampton School received a grant from Lowe's for $2,300 for garden installation.  We will be working with the local Lowe's.
 The SCA, Audobon Society and a generous gift from a neighborhood resident have all help to provide financial support to first phase of this grassroots program.







Wooden Guard Rails Replaced Near Riverside
It was recently called to the SCA's attention that there were numerous rotten and missing poles along Rattlesnake Creek where Stratford meets Riverside Drive. The SCA addressed this with the City and they have recently been replaced with new wooden rails. 4/15/09

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

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
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 08 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.


Cell Tower Vote 12/07/07
- 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.

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2007 Riverfest/ RiverRun photos- Click here.