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

DATE: THURSDAY, April 13, 1995                   TAG: 9504200038
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                    PAGE: W-20   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: KIMBERLY N. MARTIN|
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

SALEM CONDEMNS LAND FOR EASEMENT

The latest round in a battle over B&O Land Company's confusing legacy, Quail Lane, was resolved Monday night at a Salem City Council meeting.

Council voted to pass an emergency ordinance to condemn land for a 20-foot wide waterline easement that runs through eight Quail Lane properties.

A letter from John Orr, instructing to the city to remove a waterline that ran across his property, prompted the vote. The line provides water and fire protection to all Quail Lane residents.

Because it was too costly to remove the line, the city responded by having the property appraised and sending a March 15 letter to each of the property owners, offering to buy a $170 easement from them. When none of the owners responded by the March 31 deadline, the city moved to have the easement condemned.

"It's just taking 20 feet out of your front yard. It just means you can't build on that portion...It doesn't make your whole lot unbuildable," City Manager Randy Smith said.

A judge will have to rule on the condemnation and the amount owners will be paid.

Monday's decision, however, does not affect the ongoing right-of-way controversy between Quail Lane residents and the city.

by CNB