THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, December 16, 1995 TAG: 9512160246
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DEBBIE MESSINA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Short : 38 lines
Representatives for the city and six Sandbridge homeowners met Friday to discuss the city's mandate that the oceanfront residents repair or remove the steel bulkheads damaged in storms.
Although the two sides were not able to reach an agreement Friday - the deadline the city had set for residents to respond - discussions are continuing.
``We are discussing alternatives,'' said John S. Norris Jr., an attorney representing the homeowners. ``We prefer a resolution over litigation.''
City officials could not be reached for comment Friday.
The city contends that the collapsed bulkheads' mangled steel and rusted bolts pose a safety hazard to beachcombers. If the owners do not repair them, the city has threatened to take the unprecedented step of contracting to have them removed and billing the homeowners.
The residents are not willing to make repairs until a lawsuit they have filed against the bulkhead builder has been resolved in the courts.
Of the 243 oceanfront properties at Sandbridge, 170 have bulkheads. The six disputed bulkheads are at the northern end of the oceanside community and are among 48 that have been toppled in storms.
The city sent letters last summer to the bulkhead owners, stating that they posed a safety hazard and must be removed or repaired.
Now all but the six in question have agreed that work would be done to repair or remove them.
Norris said his clients also want the bulkheads fixed but they don't have the money to do it until they settle their claim with the builder. by CNB