THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, March 2, 1996 TAG: 9603010397
SECTION: REAL ESTATE WEEKLY PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MARY ELLEN MILES, SPECIAL TO REAL ESTATE WEEKLY
LENGTH: Long : 170 lines
Sitting among the flurry along Kempsville Road in Chesapeake is the attractive entrance to Kemp Woods, a charming and serene neighborhood of about 300 custom and semi-custom homes, a lovely respite from the raucousness of the road.
The wooded area, abundant with mature trees like pines, maples and oaks, was developed in 1988 and homes were being built until 1995 says T.J. Autry, a Realtor with Rose and Kreuth Realty.
``The area is really nice, a real joy to drive through,'' he says. ``It has a wide variety of housing styles. There's been at least 15 builders involved in the neighborhood.''
Jane and David Barton, who moved from North Carolina into their brick-front, four-bedroom, 2 1/2 bathroom house in August 1988, were used to neighborhoods with a variety of housing styles. But, they were a bit disappointed later when the builder used their same style about five more times.
``We began looking for a house in the spring,'' she says, ``when the subdivision still had dirt roads. It looked like forest. It was so dark; it was probably 6 months after we moved in before we got street lights.
``I don't even think there was water in the three small lakes yet,'' she says. ``Many of the builders cut down trees, but ours chose to leave more than usual.''
The two most important factors for the Bartons' neighborhood choice were the area's convenience to the mall and Greenbrier Christian Academy, where their children attend.
Today, Barton and her neighbors are concerned that the Chesapeake will expand Kempsville Road outside their section into six lanes. Fortunately, the neighbors are a cohesive, attentive group who believe in standing up for their concerns.
They've let City Council know their concerns before, such as when Shenandoah Parkway was under consideration for extension. The road is the only access to the area.
``We like our exclusive road and we'd like to keep it that way,'' Barton says. A newer area, Kemp Woods South, sits off one road of Kemp Woods. It's technically considered a different neighborhood, although it's attached to Kemp Woods and they appear as one.
Besides business gatherings, the neighbors also group together for social occasions, such as a Bible study, says Barton. And, ``we have a group of ladies who get together to walk; there's a lot of walking that goes on here. I enjoy my neighbors.
``When we first moved here I didn't know anyone. But I met a lot of people at church who turned out to be my neighbors. I'd like to see a common area be designated, where the neighbors can get together for picnics and other activities, so we don't have to get together in the streets.''
The Bartons live on a corner lot in a cul-de-sac and enjoy the beauty of the surrounding yards. Except for one, all the yards on their block are fence free, says Barton. ``We've left our yards open to one another,'' she says. ``We've got squirrels, raccoons, birds and even nesting ducks in our yard.''
Victoria Evans, Kemp Woods' Civic League president, and her husband, Acey, have lived in their 4-year-old ranch a little more than two years. ``This area was hard to find,'' she says. Hampton Roads natives, they were a little disoriented upon returning, after an absence of about 15 years.
They were living in Richmond and visiting relatives in a nearby neighborhood when they were told about Kemp Woods. They were searching for a nice, wooded, upscale neighborhood, with large lots.
``We'd looked at everything in Virginia Beach, Norfolk and Chesapeake before we found this,'' she said. ``We immediately contacted a Realtor and looked at every house available.
``The houses were selling so quickly, by the time we'd make contact, there would already be a contract on the house. Then, we saw this house soon after the owner put up the sale sign, walked in and knew it was what we wanted.''
``There's a great sense of neighborhood feeling here,'' she says. ``The people try to get to know each other. There are retirees, professionals and a lot of people who're transfers from other areas here, and everyone's kind of looking for a neighborhood family.
``The neighbors on our street celebrate a lot of different events, like birthdays and holidays. It's a real great place to live. We all try to be good neighbors.''
More than half the residents are civic league members, says Evans. ``We go through a lot of trouble here to make sure the streets are safe; we want the neighborhood kids to feel carefree and safe.''
They have a neighborhood watch, and designated ``McGruff'' houses scattered throughout. The residents also want to keep the area wooded and open, says Evans.
``I've noticed that a lot of us will plant a new tree when we have to have one cut down,'' she says. Fences are allowed only in the backyard, and not past the back of the house.
``A lot of streets really look like a park,'' Evans says. She has had the front and backyards re-landscaped, and even landscaped around the backyard shed they added, ``so it would blend in with the surroundings,'' she said. ``It's so beautiful our here, we didn't want to mess up the countryside.''
``This area is a wonderful location,'' says Evans. ``We can zip to the mall or country club in minutes. And, I think everyone in the neighborhood uses the nearby parks. It's very quiet here. When it's warm, we bicycle ride and walk, and can hear every bird chirping. In the evenings after dinner, most everyone walks outside and chats.''
Last Christmas, civil league members joined together to sing and recruit outside groups for caroling. They also bought decorative outdoor bags, to fill with sand and a candle, lighting glowing paths for one another during the season.
``We usually have an annual fall picnic at the end of a cul-de-sac; last year we had a pig pickin', with the mayor in attendance. We let him know our concerns. With all the development happening around us, we wanted to let him know that we're for progress, but we don't want it to mess up what we have.
``We've called for a hearing regarding the widening of Kempsville Road. We have four new board members who're raring to go. They've come up with new ideas and are willing to make them happen.''
Last year, when the civic league decided they'd need to raise the dues or have volunteers maintain the common property, many volunteers came through, says Evans.
``We take care of the grass on Kempsville Road and maintain the median at the entrance. Everyone does it once a year, it's not a burden on any one person. And now, we're in the process of accepting donations for adding solar lighting to the entrance.
``Houses still sell quickly here,'' says Evans. ``We believe the houses are holding their value. We keep the property maintained and protect our investment, as well as have a nice place to live.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by L. TODD SPENCER
Steve Skrip spends time fixing up his yard with the help of
3-year-old Steve Jr.
Jane Barton moved to Kemp Woods from North Carolina almost eight
years ago.
A quiet scene on Smokey Mountain Train in Kemp Woods. The youngster
is John Malley.
Graphic
About the Neighborhood
Public schools: Greenbrier Primary, Greenbrier Intermediate,
Crestwood Middle and Indian River High schools. Many neighborhood
children attend private schools, such as Greenbrier Christian
Academy.
Shopping areas: Greenbrier Mall is just five minutes away by car.
Nearby are strip shopping centers.
Hospital: Chesapeake General Hospital is on Battlefield Blvd.
Recreation: The Chesapeake Central Library is near the Municipal
Center. Fun Forest, Fun Scape, the YMCA and Greenbrier Country Club
are close. Several parks are within minutes by car. Central Meats
on Kempsville Road has a petting zoo in front of their building.
Assessments: The city assessor's office reports the range of
assessments from $ 154,300 to $245,000.
For Sale
At 1309 Cricket Court, a 3,000-square-foot, four-bedroom, 2
1/2-bathroom, vinyl house, with crown molding throughout, built in
1988, was listed at $199,999.
At 1004 Woodwind Way, a 3,240-square-foot, four-bedroom,
three-bathroom, brick lakefront house, on a large lot, with hot tub,
pool, gazebo and deck, built in 1988, was listed at $224,500.
At 1508 Shenandoah Parkway, a 3,614-square-foot, five-bedroom,
four-bathroom, brick and vinyl house, with huge kitchen, built in
1992, was listed at $239,500.
Sold
At 1523 Shenandoah Parkway, a 3,200-square-foot, five-bedroom,
three-bathroom house, built in 1992, sold for $225,000 in November.
At 1516 Skyline Circle, a 2,652-square-foot, four-bedroom, 3
1/2-bathroom house, built in 1995, sold for $232,200 last month.
by CNB