
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, March 2, 1990                   TAG: 9003023156
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B3   EDITION: BEDFORD/FRANKLIN 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH                                LENGTH: Short

LAWYER: DOWNZONING RULING LIKELY TO STAND

The lawyer defending the city's ban on development of rural areas said he is not optimistic about the state Supreme Court's ruling on a challenge of the ban.

"I will be surprised if the city prevails," said Gregory N. Stillman, a lawyer hired by the city to defend its actions.

In 1986, the city changed the zoning of 3,500 acres south of the Muncipal Center from residental to agricultural. The so-called "downzoning" move limited the use of the land to mainly farming.

Five of the owners sued the city to restore their development rights. The Virginia Beach Circuit Court ruled in favor of three of the landowners, and the city appealed the decision to the high court.

A decison by the court is expected today, putting an end to 3 1/2 years of legal battles. - Associated Press

by CNB