THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, June 26, 1996 TAG: 9606260373
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MAC DANIEL, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: 48 lines
In a rare move that appeared to please all involved, the City Council on Tuesday revised plans for a controversial road that had angered residents of a Greenbrier subdivision.
Residents of Woodbriar Estates, near Volvo Parkway and Thrasher Road, had said they felt helpless after the City Council rezoned nearby land for a 215-unit condominium complex.
The brunt of their anger was focused on a road extension the developer promised to get the condo complex approved. The road would have connected Byron Street, near the condos, to Thrasher Road and Volvo Parkway, near Woodbriar Estates.
Although it came through their neighborhood, the road was approved without residents' knowledge as a proffer to the condominium's rezoning.
Residents worried about the road's impact on their community. It would have offered a quick east-west route to shopping centers on Battlefield Boulevard and Greenbrier Parkway and a shortcut from Great Bridge Boulevard to Battlefield Boulevard.
After an executive session Tuesday, City Attorney Ron Hallman told the council that, in his opinion, everything had been properly approved and that all necessary residents were notified of the rezoning.
Councilman John W. Butt then announced that the proposed road would be blocked while the condominium is under construction, keeping out through traffic.
Later, when the condominium is opened and the proposed Oak Grove Connector is built, Butt said, the city and developer agreed to turn Byron Street into a cul-de-sac, further preventing the road from becoming a through street.
Woodbriar Estates resident Jim Nelson stood shocked at the dais after the announcement was made.
``Win-win, right?'' he asked.
``Yup,'' said Mayor William E. Ward.
Councilman Alan P. Krasnoff reminded Nelson and others that the city's public works department is studying the use of a pedestrian pathway connecting Byron Street to Great Bridge Boulevard.
When completed, the connector will cut off Byron Street from shops on the nearby boulevard.
In other action, the City Council unanimously approved raises for several key city officials after their annual reviews.
Laurence Street, the city's real estate assessor, was given a 4.3 percent raise to a yearly salary of $74,331. City attorney Ron Hallman received a 2.6 percent raise to $92,365 and City Clerk Dolores A. Moore received a 5.4 percent raise to $47,193. by CNB