THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, January 21, 1997 TAG: 9701210004
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A16 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 34 lines
The Jan. 13 editorial on a shelter for runaway boys extols the virtues of righteousness. However, it does leave the reader with a feeling of concern and dismay for the evaluative process. Concern over the recommendation that the City Council should expeditiously approve the plans for this project because it is needed by Virginia Beach. Concern for the statement ``that some of the concerns of King's Grant homeowners seem legitimate at first glance.'' Does this mean that the homeowners have superficial fears?
Your editorial stated that St. Aidan's Episcopal Church generously offered the land for such a shelter on church property. Yet it failed to mention that the land would be leased with the proviso that the house to be built could revert to St. Aidan's Episcopal Church.
This editorial addressed the generous concessions made by Seton House. Yet it failed to mention the main issue at hand, namely: zoning. This area, including the church land, is designated by the zoning code as R-10, which means residential. This residential code was in effect when these citizens and landowners purchased their homes.
What is being proposed is that this zoning code be circumvented by the use of a zoning administration tool called a conditional-use permit. Such action is a transgression against the rights of the homeowners.
Let us hope that City Council will lend a receptive ear to these homeowners and not be rebuffed by the decision of the Planning Commission.
As the gauntlet has been thrown down, who will take up the gauntlet in defense of these homeowners?
JOHN DELANEY
Virginia Beach, Jan. 15, 1997