Over 75 residents of Oregon Hill spent their evening on July 30th in city council chambers to show how strongly they favored rezoning the neighborhood to R-7. Though rezoning will protect Oregon Hill in several ways, the most immediate concern is with Ethyl's plans to build apartments on its 4 acre site overlooking the river.

The residents sat for five hours while city council worked on other issues. Though several people were unable to stay until the meeting adjourned at one a.m., there were still 60 people remaining when the Oregon Hill zoning question was introduced. When Councilwoman Hedgepeth asked who in the room supported reintroducing the zoning, everyone in the room stood in an impressive show of support.

Several residents spoke in favor of getting the zoning back on track, including David Gammino, Todd Woodson, Tom Rodriquez, Maura Meinhardt, and Gene Mills. Marty Jewell, who is running for the fifth district city council seat against incumbant Rudy McCollum, also spoke on behalf of the neighborhood. Steve Johnson, who helped us significantly in the Dominion battle and is running for a school board seat in the fifth district, also was present in support.

At a neighborhood meeting with planning staff in March, residents were told of the city planners' efforts to improve the zoning throughout Oregon Hill. The zoning is outdated and would allow for several businesses, industrial uses, and multiple family buildings that would be out of place in this single-family neighborhood.

In April in a closed door meeting with Ethyl Corporation, City Manager Calvin Jamison promised to halt the rezoning efforts. Ethyl is the only property owner in the neighborhood that has publicly voiced opposition to the plan. Because the rezoning was halted, Ethyl was able to contract to sell the property to Commonwealth Properties, which plans to build 3 and 4 story apartments on the site.

During the city council meeting on July 30th, members voted 9-0 to once again begin the process for rezoning. The neighborhood has since been mailed notices inviting everyone interested to attend the September 3rd and 9th meetings to vote on the rezoning itself.

Thanks to everyone who has given their time on this issue to try to improve our neighborhood! There will more to come on this…