THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, December 14, 1994 TAG: 9412140501
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Short : 27 lines
The City Council voted 10-to-1 not to let a family move into an abandoned 169-year-old house in the middle of an upscale neighborhood.
Referring to promises made to homeowners when the subdivision was developed eight years ago, Council decided the Ferry Farm House, reputed to be the site of the dunking of the Witch of Pungo, will remain empty indefinitely.
Wilma M. House, a Virginia Beach resident, had offered to restore the house in exchange for being allowed to live there.
The city staff and the Planning Commission had sided with House, but most of the council members were swayed by the arguments of neighbors who didn't want someone living in what is effectively their back yards.
Linwood O. Branch III, the only council member to oppose the move, said he hoped some compromise could be worked out to save the house.
KEYWORDS: OLD DONATION FARM by CNB