THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, May 2, 1996 TAG: 9605020426
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DEBBIE MESSINA, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Short : 46 lines
The city will hold off on yanking out damaged bulkheads at Sandbridge to give homeowners a chance to complete negotiations with the bulkheads' builder on making repairs.
May 1 was the deadline for Oceanfront property owners to start removing or repairing their bulkheads or face city demolition crews. The city wants the leaning steel seawalls removed or repaired because they pose a public hazard.
``We're hoping they can come to an agreement with their contractor for the repair of the wall, which would preclude the need for city action,'' said Phillip J. Roehrs, city coastal engineer.
The city was poised to hire a contractor to remove six storm-damaged bulkheads on privately owned lots. Homeowners would be billed for the costs.
But the city received assurances Wednesday from the homeowners and the builder, Waterfront Marine Construction, that they are close to an agreement. The parties have been entangled in a lawsuit over construction of the bulkheads.
This is the third time the homeowners were granted a reprieve from city bulldozers. The city has not set a deadline for reaching a settlement.
If the bulkheads come down, the homes behind them become vulnerable to the pounding surf, which has claimed several Sandbridge houses.
The owner of a seventh damaged bulkhead is seeking an injunction to stop the city from removing his bulkhead. Testimony was given in the case last week. The case will go before a judge for argument May 30.
These seven collapsed bulkheads are among 44 at Sandbridge that have been toppled in storms since 1991.
The city began sending letters to the owners last summer, stating that the bulkheads pose a public hazard and must be removed or repaired.
The city said that if no action was taken, it would contract to remove the bulkheads, then bill the homeowners or place liens on their properties to recoup the costs.
All but the seven homeowners have made the repairs or documented to the city that the work would be done. by CNB