Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 28, 1991 TAG: 9103280235
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: KIM SUNDERLAND/ NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: ELLISTON LENGTH: Medium
The road runs through Old Mill Estates, a subdivision of 10 homes valued at $60,000 to $75,000 in the easternmost part of the county. The problem is that the road isn't paved - and never has been in the six years since construction started there.
"It's a washboard," said Debi Smith of Old Mill Drive, where she has lived with her family for almost three years. She can't get a loan on her house because the road isn't state-maintained.
"We've been waiting for this situation to be resolved for years," she said. "We're still waiting."
Another resident, Sandra Alls, said a big concern is the children, who stand on U.S. 460 to catch the school bus, which won't enter the subdivision because the road isn't paved.
"We can't see them standing down there," Alls said. The subdivision is located on a hill in a remote area overlooking Elliston and Big Spring Mill. Besides concern about their children's safety, residents have other problems, too, such as no mail delivery, no trash pickup, water runoff and dust.
"If there's a nice breeze, you can't open your windows because of the dust," said Yolande Whitt.
Without four-wheel-drive vehicles, some residents have had to park on 460 and walk up the hill to their homes when it snows.
Front-end alignments have also become quite costly because of the potholes.
The problem began in 1987 when subdivision developer Doug Witt, trading as Lone Star Builders, went bankrupt after the Bank of Shawsville foreclosed on his loans. Witt left behind the unpaved road and 11 undeveloped lots, which were taken over by the bank.
According to Phillip Darnall II of Waldrop Realty, who was an agent in Old Mill Estates, officials at the Bank of Shawsville assured him they would surface the road.
Montgomery County officials also said the bank would surface the road.
"The bank assured us they'd complete the road," said County Attorney Roy Thorpe.
Bank President Joseph B. Keesee disagreed. "The bank is certainly not in the road-building business there or anywhere else. We are a lot owner out there like everyone else."
At the county's request, Witt put up $10,000 with the county to assure the road would eventually be paved. That is now in a joint account belonging to the bank and the county.
Surfacing the road would now cost $50,000 or more. Witt thinks the county should upgrade the road because it didn't ask for enough assurance money up front.
"The county should have asked for what it would've cost," said Witt, now an insurance salesman. "It was stupid on their part."
Some residents agree with Witt. "In my opinion, I believe it's the county's responsibility," said Sandra Alls.
Residents and bank and county officials have met, and hope to meet again. Earlier this week, residents sent Gov. Douglas Wilder a letter asking for his help, with copies to state legislators, bank officials and the media. They also gave copies to the Board of Supervisors at last Monday's meeting.
"We can't do it," Alls said of herself and her neighbors. "We can't afford to pay it out ourselves."
by CNB