Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, July 12, 1990 TAG: 9007120032
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: CATHRYN McCUE NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
Threatened in May by legal action from the town, owner Jim Lucas managed to get the empty brick house moved 50 yards back on the property across from Hethwood.
But, due mostly to circumstances beyond his control, it's been stuck there since.
This week, Councilman Michael Chandler proposed a lawsuit against Lucas if he had not moved the house to a permanent site by July 24, council's next meeting date.
"I don't know what we can do to expedite the situation," short of taking legal action, Chandler said.
Although his motion failed 5-2, most of the Town Council is likewise eager to be done with the issue.
"It's a shame it has to go on for so long," said Frances Parsons. She voted against the measure because she was hesitant to commit herself to a suit when circumstances could easily change. "It concerns me, but it's not a high priority at this time."
Lucas acquired the house about three years ago to save it from being demolished when a developer proposed a motel and restaurant for the site.
But Lucas didn't have anywhere to move the house until this winter. Bad weather delayed the move, and then the West Virginia subcontractor was too busy with other projects.
Now, Lucas said, the house needs to be reloaded - taken off the truck while the wheels are shifted to readjust the weight.
"The mover plans to do that next week. Whether he will or not, I don't know," Lucas said. His chief priority was to get the house out of sight, which he says is now the case.
"Anybody who sees the house has to make a special effort to find it," he said. "I don't see that it would be urgent enough to instigate legal action . . . but I do plan to move it."
Frank Teske Jr., part-owner of Montgomery Farms Inc., which had the property rezoned for commercial use in 1987, said the house is not a problem for now. A deal on a restaurant fell through and his plans to develop the 4.6-acre site are on hold.
In other action this week, council approved a preliminary plat - for the second time - for the third phase of Pheasant Run town houses in north Blacksburg.
Because of a quirk in timing, developer Bob Young had 40 town houses built and sold, but no official approval from the town for the subdivision.
His preliminary plat for Phase III was originally approved in October, but the final plat was not submitted within the six-month deadline. In the meantime, Town Council revised its subdivision ordinance, and Young got caught in the middle.
Under the old ordinance, his town houses had to be built before submitting the final plat so that planners could account for minor adjustments from the actual building. Under the new ordinance, it's the opposite - the final plat must be submitted before the development is complete, and adjustments to the plat can be made later.
"It makes a boatload of difference," streamlining the procedure for developers, he said. Still, since his was the first plat submitted under the new rules, Young had to pay another $550 to reapply, "and then all the nervousness and all that."
by CNB