THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, June 19, 1996 TAG: 9606190385
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: By KATRICE FRANKLIN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: 49 lines
Proposed changes to the city's family transfer ordinance will not be considered for another 60 days, the Planning Commission decided Tuesday.
The commission also asked city staff to re-examine the revised zoning ordinance, which some members said is too restrictive of residents' rights.
``I just wonder how many rights we can take away from honest property owners,'' said Commissioner Charles H. Rose Jr.
About 20 residents crowded into City Council chambers to speak against the new ordinance, which would strengthen the requirements for family transfers to ensure that land was not being transferred with the intent to sell. Three residents spoke in favor of the changes.
Suffolk resident Edward B. Quate disagreed with the changes. ``I completed giving my daughter land to build on with a family transfer and presently, as we speak, she is completing a roof on her home.
``One of the advantages that remain to landowners is to give our children a chance to own land and build a home near their ancestors,'' he said.
``Those of us that own land deserve rights,'' Quate said.
Family transfers were created by the state to preserve family farm compounds and agricultural land. But in Suffolk, some developers and contractors have bought land and transferred it to family members with the intent to sell.
In some cases, small subdivisions with no more than four homes are created. The only access to these houses are dirt, sand or gravel roads that can be difficult for fire, police and rescue units to use.
City officials say subdivisions created through family transfers don't receive the same city services as other subdivisions. Their developers don't have to maintain the roads where the homes are located, which they would have to do if they submitted a request for a subdivision.
As a result, city officials were trying to make several changes to the ordinance, including:
Allowing only one transfer per family member anywhere in the city.
Requiring recipients of family transfers to keep the land for 10 years, allowing the property to be sold earlier in cases of hardship, such as foreclosure, bankruptcy, college tuition or medical expenses.
Allowing the Planning Commission and City Council to act on hardship requests.
Requiring applicants and recipients to obtain deed, title and affidavit to ensure receivers understand that the property cannot be sold for 10 years.
Requiring applicants to install gravel entrances to property instead of dirt or sand, and increasing entrance widths.
The City Council will hold a public hearing on the changes at 7 p.m. today in City Council Chambers. by CNB