We the undersigned oppose a zoning exception permitting the Salvation Army thrift store to operate at the Roosevelt Shopping Center on Little Creek Road.
Little Creek was included in Norfolk's application for the recently granted $19 million HUD award that was prioritized to provide seed money for economic revitalization, employment opportunities, and seed money for infrastructure to boost confidence in private firms to invest in the area.
There is a strong nexus between profitable land use planning and zoning. There are three thrift store establishments within 1.5 miles of this location. A fourth, the Salvation Army would be permitted only as an exception to the zoning already in place to prevent it, is contrary to the goals Norfolk set down for this area in their HUD application.
As a spot zoning situation, the Salvation Army thrift store creates no employment opportunities for the surrounding neighborhoods. The managers are existing Salvation Army members and their "employees" are all unpaid transitioning homeless for whom they are supplying food and shelter.
Norfolk rightly included Little Creek as a distressed area in their HUD application. Denying the zoning exception is a cost free way to comply and the only viable way to maintain HUD compliance.
We want to improve the area surrounding our neighborhoods.
Do Not Allow the Salvation Army Thrift Store Zoning Exception.
Thank you.
Do Not Allow The Salvation Army Zoning Exception
We the undersigned oppose a zoning exception permitting the Salvation Army thrift store to operate at the Roosevelt Shopping Center on Little Creek Road.
Roosevelt had a quality business in Fabric Hut. They lost that business due to an unrepaired decaying structure that caused damage to their inventory forcing them to move.
We have seen no proof that the space has been repaired, creating a cause and effect for the leasing agent's inability to convince another quality business to occupy it. The only business they can attract is one with a cost free inventory.
The Salvation Army thrift store provides no jobs to the area, no enhancement to the area's reputation, and no confidence in private investors that would revitalize the area. It is unwanted by the majority of the surrounding neighborhoods.
