THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, December 6, 1995 TAG: 9512060427
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TERRI WILLIAMS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 89 lines
A seemingly simple vote by the City Council tonight could define the future of Windsor and chunks of Suffolk and Isle of Wight County.
Before the council is deliberation on participation in a Hampton Roads Sanitation District force main project along heavily traveled, but largely rural, U.S. Route 460.
While most of the area in the 12-mile stretch between Windsor and Suffolk is zoned for agricultural and rural residential, sewer and water lines traditionally bring commerce and development.
In fact, Suffolk's 2005 General Plan - a guide to future development - calls for the Kings Fork corridor to move from agricultural to more urban, commercialized uses.
At least two major Suffolk projects - a church-sponsored retirement center and a 210-unit subdivision - already await the vote. Both would be on Kings Fork Road, the connecting route of the sewer line from Virginia Route 10 to 460.
Even without Suffolk's participation, Windsor and parts of Isle of Wight County - including county land zoned for an industrial park - would get the service.
However, a negative vote by the City Council could delay it.
Windsor residents, who have been waiting for years for sewerage to replace often-faulty septic systems, especially hope Suffolk will take part in the $4.5 million project. In turn, Suffolk would eventually pay part of the cost, which it could recover from developers, and could pump sewage into the line for treatment by HRSD.
A public hearing on the project is set for the City Council meeting, tonight at 7 o'clock. If Suffolk opted out, HRSD would need a conditional use permit and recommendations of the Planning Commission and City Council for the line to pass through Suffolk.
The 1,500 residents of Windsor petitioned for sewerage about 10 years ago, and the nearby 92-acre industrial park awaits infrastructure and its first tenant.
Windsor Mayor Robert C. Claud said the Health Department won't issue any more septic system permits in the town, in effect creating a building moratorium.
Lynn P. Harris, county director of economic development, said several industries have expressed interest. ``There are no guarantees,'' she said, ``but if they don't build (the line) they won't come.''
Windsor residents will be responsible for a $2.5 million collection system linking them to the trunk line. County Utilities Director David J. Murphy said officials have not worked out how residents will pay connection fees.
At the Suffolk end of the project, United Church Retirement Homes Inc. anxiously awaits a vote so it can start the retirement center, planned since 1989.
``Without sewerage, we cannot build it,'' said Sylvia Old, a consultant for the church. ``We have a mission to serve our community.''
Without the line, she said, the $25 million complex - to be erected on 172 acres - could be located elsewhere in Hampton Roads.
The church proposes an independent living complex, a retirement mall, and a health center in its first phase. A conference center is also envisioned.
Church officials are negotiating sewage-line fee rates with the city.
The Suffolk developments and payments by Windsor residents would lower Suffolk's costs, said Assistant City Manager William E. Harrell.
Harrell and other city officials negotiated with HRSD not to have the city billed for the line ``until Suffolk actually makes a physical connection to the force main,'' Harrell said. There is no time limit.
``Without that clause,'' he said, ``you'd be gambling on the development in that corridor. Development will drive the demand without allowing the city to take upfront risks.''
Still, sprawling development in Suffolk's northern corridor - a patchwork of rural farms and commercial development - has some city officials being cautious.
Mayor S. Chris Jones - who lives in Chuckatuck and whose district includes the Kings Fork Road corridor - said he doesn't mind development so long as it's limited.
``I've always said it will open up a corridor that I'm not sure I'm ready to open,'' said Jones. ``You'll end up with more sprawl. You'll end up putting more pressure on fire and police.''
Councilman Thomas G. Underwood said, ``Regionalism for water and sewerage is very important for a city. It serves the community and helps growth.''
The Windsor main is one of two lines expected to boost growth in Western Tidewater. Construction is nearly complete for the Smithfield force main, which runs along U.S. Route 17, then goes along U.S. 258 to Virginia Route 10 to Smithfield and nearby, undeveloped areas of Isle of Wight County. ILLUSTRATION: Map
by CNB