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The Southampton Citizens Association serves the Southampton/Stratford Hills community by promoting initiatives that preserve and improve the livability, economic value and welfare of our neighborhoods and valued community resources.
Our stewardship includes the James River, green spaces, roadways, churches, retail centers and recreational facilities.
We meet on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at the Southampton Recreation Center at
3201 Chellowe Road.
The meetings start at 7:15 and are always open to the public.
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NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS
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Crime Incidents
(1/23/08) Richmond Police report a number of break-ins to automobiles near James River Park. They ask for any resident who sees a gold Mercury Sable, 4-door sedan, in and around any of the park access points to call the dispatcher at 646-5100 and tell the dispatcher that you have seen the car the Police Department is looking for in relation to break-ins.
Police and Park officials emphasize that the parks are safe, and that only one break-in has occurred since the first of the year, but they also realize that many offenses are not reported.
Click Here to read Lieutenant Sybil El-Amin's February report to the Huguenot team on area crime and recent arrests.
Area Development
Rite Aid pharmacy has backed out of the proposal to build a free-standing store at the intersection of Cherokee and Forest Hill Ave. Along with the Citgo site, a deal was also being jointly arranged for the sale of the land behind the service station. Both seem to be dead for now.
They were tentatively proposing -depending on approval by Rite Aid- to build the pharmacy and several dozen units of "affordable" housing.
Since a Community Unit Plan will be needed, the neighborhoods will have an opportunity to weigh-in on this if it becomes active again.
Tropical Smoothie Cafe is currently in contract discussions with the center near the Wawa (Forest Hill --where AT&T and Little Caesar's is located) to open a cafe in the center.
(Info provided by Huguenot Team)
Fraud Squad
Report City Goverment waste, fraud and abuse. Click Here to open a digital file with more information and phone number.
**Crime Watch
Petty crimes, such as change and small items being stolen from unlocked cars, still occur sporadically in the neighborhood. If this happens to you be sure to report it to the police.
Remember to always make sure to lock your car doors no matter how short your absence.
Other tips from the police include:
Never "hide" keys on your vehicle. They can always be found.
Never leave change or mail in view.
 Do not leave your car registration in the vehicle.
Keep the interior of your car empty of possessions.
Sign up for the Fisher Elementary School Flamingo 5k race.
Sat. May 3rd. Click the image link on the right to go to the info page.
Huguenot Team April forum minutes-
(A Citizen’s Approach to Regional Cooperation- with 8 panelists icluding Senator John Watkins, School Board chair George Braxton, Council member Kathy Graziano, Delegate Manoli Loupassi and Chesterfield Board of Supervisor Dan Gecker) Click Here for minutes.
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| 4th DISTRICT UPDATES |
Tornado Relief Efforts
FROM COUNCIL MEMBER GRAZIANO"S OFFICE-
The tornadoes that swept through parts of Virginia yesterday left a path of destruction to both lives and property. Many of you have asked how you can help the victims of this tragedy. Here is how you can help:
The most effective way to help disaster victims is to make a financial contribution to a local charity or faith-based response group of your choice. The Virginia Department of Emergency Management has posted a list of organizations that are either assisting directly in the local response and recovery efforts or assist in Virginia disaster relief efforts.
Remember to donate first through recognized local faith-based response groups and charity organizations. Donations can be made at the local level or through an organization's national Web site. When donating at the national level, designate whenever possible those local chapters working on the April Tornado Response and Recovery efforts.
This list can be found here
A few others
American Red Cross - Suffolk, Southeast, Petersburg and Greater Richmond Chapters
Salvation Army
Federation of Virginia Food Banks
Letter from Council Member Kathy Graziano
Kathy Graziano announcement-open letter
Click here to read.
Household Hazardous Waste
St arting Monday, March 3, the City of Richmond will begin accepting household hazardous waste items at the East Richmond Road Convenience Center (3800 E. Richmond Rd). This free service for city residents will be available on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Items that will be accepted at the facility include:
>Solvents (mineral spirits, paint thinner, turpentine, acetone)
>Paints (oil or latex, polyurethane, tung oil, stains, varnish, shellac, tints, lacquer thinners, paint reducers, primers, varsol)
>Fuels (gasoline, gasoline additives, #2 fuel oil, kerosene, diesel, chain saw fuel, motor boat fuel, oil additives)
>Propane tanks
>Car fluids (motor oil, transmission fluid, antifreeze)
>Car batteries (lead acid batteries only)
>Household cleaners and drain openers
>Herbicides and pesticides
>Cooking oil
Real Estate Accessment Appeal Forms
If you would like to appeal your 2007 Real Estate accessment click here for the necessary form (pdf document) and print it out.
Scenic Byways
A Scenic Byways amendment for the City is being proposed to help establish a system for designating streets or other public ways of special signifigance . This includes the establishment of zoning and other land use controls to protect historical, cultural, and scenic qualities of such areas.
Click here to view the ordinance.
Tax relief for the elderly
As you may know, Richmond has a tax relief program to assist seniors and disabled on low incomes with the costs of real estate taxes. The link below includes a statement from Mrs Grazinao related to this years relief that includes essential information concerning the program.
Click Here for 2008 Real Estate Tax Relief for the Elderly and Disabled Forms
Click here for additional Tax Relief information
2008 Real Estate Reassessment Report
Click here for Report pdf
2008 Real Estate Tax Relief Forms for the Elderly and Disabled
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| Above information on 4th District provided by Council member Kathy Graziano's office. |
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OTHER SOUTHAMPTON INFO
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Cell tower update
12/07- 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 subsribers 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.
*4/2008 Ntelos has presented a revised plan for a cell tower at the same location. This tower 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 tree with a cluster of branches at the top and simulated bark pole. The tower would also only have a single carrier- Ntelos, instead of the original 2 carrier plan. and would benefit a roughly 240 household area of potential Ntelos customers.
They are planning on presenting this new proposal to City Council sometime in June/July.
Bulk trash pick-up
In a program that started in August '04 City residents can get free regular pickup of bulk items such as old mattresses, tree limbs,and other large items that won't fit in a supercan.
The collection schedule for our zip code (23225-23235) is the 3rd week of every month.
Pickups will not cover items like refrigeraters and stoves( "white goods" ). You can still contact the city to pick these items up for a $50.00 charge.
The minutes to the SCA Board meetings are now available online. Click on the "About" button in the menu bar at the top of this page and then go to the "Minutes" link.
2007 Riverfest/ RiverRun photos- Click here.
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