THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, July 1, 1996 TAG: 9606290022
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A6 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 49 lines
Regarding the report by staff writer Mac Daniel on the new condominium development and extension of Byron Street to Trasher Road at Volvo Parkway (MetroNews, June 23). When a development project like this sneaks up on a community, the natural reaction is to try to find out who is to blame. In this instance it's not so simple.
Consider:
1. Virginia has some of the most-lenient laws in the country regarding development and the requirements that are placed upon the developers. The local City Council and Planning Commission will readily cite this fact when anyone complains about overdevelopment in his neighborhood.
2. Chesapeake's City Council and Planning Commission have taken a very aggressive approach with land development and utilization in an effort to promote economic growth. We need to reconsider how this is affecting the aesthetic aspects of life in Chesapeake. State officials blame local government and the large amounts of city lands that have been sold to developers.
3. Finally, Chesapeake citizens must take a good look in the mirror when deciding whose fault it is that this city is developing so rapidly and often in a distasteful way. Too many Chesapeake residents became concerned about overdevelopment only when it knocks at their door.
We in Chesapeake cannot travel five minutes from our homes without seeing another construction project that involves cutting down trees and turning green space into another tract of condos, a strip mall, industrial park or a fast-food restaurant. This development is leading to overcrowding of our streets, highways and schools, and detracts from the quality of life in our community.
Your report states that the rules were followed by City Council, Planning Commission and developer in this project. However, it doesn't mention that the residents of the Byron Street neighborhood expressed opposition to the project at City Council meetings last fall. Their objections and those of the Planning Commission fell upon deaf ears when City Council found that it could get a free road and save a little money by ignoring the wishes of the citizens who pay taxes and elected them to office.
If citizens of Chesapeake don't like seeing the community destroyed by rampant and often ugly development, they should let city and state officials know how they feel. Otherwise all of us may wake up one morning to find that the wooded lots next to our homes or the open spaces that could be parks for our children are being prepared for a new fast-food restaurant or factory.
PETER CASTERELLA
Chesapeake, June 23, 1996 by CNB