THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 8, 1995 TAG: 9512080497
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TERRI WILLIAMS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Short : 46 lines
A vote Wednesday by the City Council set the stage for development in Suffolk, Windsor and parts of Isle of Wight County.
The council approved, 6-1, participation in the Hampton Roads Sanitation District's Windsor force main. Councilman Richard R. Harris was the only dissenter.
Construction of the $4.5 million line - running from Virginia Route 10 to U.S. 460, and then to Windsor - will begin within six months and be finished within another year, HRSD officials said. The city won't be responsible for helping pay for the line until it authorizes connections.
The vote was anxiously awaited by a number of projects, whose representatives lobbied for approval. The 210-unit Indian Point subdivision and a United Church Retirement Homes, Inc. retirement center are planned on Kings Fork Road in Suffolk. Both projects go before the City Council on Dec. 20.
Windsor's 1,500 residents have been petitioning for sewerage for the past 10 years, and a nearby Isle of Wight County industrial park is counting on the line to draw tenants.
Doug Caskey, Isle of Wight County administrator, said, ``We will become a major player in Hampton Roads . . . It offers chances for future growth.''
About 50 senior citizens, boosting the retirement center, were in the audience for Wednesday's meeting. They erupted in applause when the council voted.
Harris contended that HRSD has used ``Gestapo-style'' tactics to obtain easements from affected property owners. About 116 private property easements are needed, and HRSD has negotiated for 100.
``Where I come from, it takes two to negotiate - unless you're talking to yourself,'' said Harris.
Vice Mayor Curtis R. Milteer had concerns about how the city plans to pay for services for the people attracted by development. Some Suffolk residents complained that parts of the city need sewerage.
Assistant City Manager William E. Harrell said the main will benefit Suffolk because the costs will be lowered by developers and by Windsor residents. by CNB