DATE: Thursday, June 19, 1997               TAG: 9706190419

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B2   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY TERRI WILLIAMS, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: SUFFOLK                           LENGTH:   56 lines

UPSCALE APARTMENTS WIN OK, DESPITE OBJECTION

The City Council on Wednesday unanimously passed an ordinance allowing an upscale apartment complex to be built on what was once known as the black fairgrounds near East Washington Street.

But the passage came with strident opposition from a civic leader upset that nearby residents were not consulted about the plans.

The conditional use permit will allow Tidewater Fair Associates Inc. to build a $14 million, 280-unit complex and day care center off East Washington Street, east of 12th Street.

The units will rent from $600 to $800 a month; about half will be set aside for the elderly. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the plan at its Tuesday meeting.

However, T.C. Williams, president of the Rosemont-Lloyd Place Civic League, said he resented the fact that the council - particularly Vice Mayor Charles F. Brown and Curtis R. Milteer - rapidly pushed to have the measure placed on the council agenda without first getting feedback from the surrounding community.

Williams said later that ``fast-track'' treatment happens too often with projects in black communities.

``I don't want anyone coming into my community without first getting our feedback,'' he told the council in a public hearing. ``Stay the hell out!''

Brown said he did meet with members of the Rosemont-Lloyd Place Civic League on Tuesday night, but acknowledged that he could have done a better job communicating with the residents before the ordinance was placed on the agenda.

``He's right,'' said Brown. ``They should have been told. We will meet with the good people of Rosemont and explain the project.''

Milteer said the project is needed to help revitalize the section of town that's a mix of low- and moderate-income houses. Milteer also said many young black families can't find good housing in Suffolk and are instead moving to surrounding Hampton Roads cities.

Meanwhile, Councilwoman Marian Rogers asked why the project was placed on the agenda a day after the Planning Commission voted. City Manager Myles E. Standish said the developers were concerned about missing a deadline for federal funding for the project. In addition, utility connection fees will increase effective July 1, so the council was trying to accommodate them, he said.

In other city business:

The council unanimously approved authorizing a letter between the city and United Church Retirement Homes Inc. stating that church developers would be responsible for paying for any connection fees for utility lines for the project.

The city agreed to form a partnership with the Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority to refurbish the Professional Building on Main Street. Officials estimate it will cost between $250,000 and$500,000 to renovate.

Council is also awaiting a response from a state agency regarding a needs assessment for a regional juvenile detention center to serve the Western Tidewater area. Once they get the response, they will begin site location.

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