DATE: Monday, November 17, 1997             TAG: 9711150007

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B10  EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Editorial 

                                            LENGTH:   35 lines

THE RIGHT CALL PLANNING COMMISSION UNANIMOUSLY OPPOSED SEWER LINE.

The Chesapeake Planning Commission voted unanimously last week against a new sewer line that could have opened up more than 2,000 acres in the city for development.

The decision was the right one and, if appealed, should be supported by City Council.

Specifically, the vote was on whether the line, called the Southeastern Interceptor, was in compliance with the city's Comprehensive Plan. It wasn't, and the commission said so.

In fact, city planners said the affected land was not slated for development for another 20 years. Commission Vice Chairman Debbie Ritter said $10 million would be needed for infrastructure improvements to serve development along the line - money the city lacks.

One problem remains. The Hampton Roads Sanitation District said recently it will not build a sewer line called the South Battlefield Interceptor, which the city needs, unless the Southeastern Interceptor is built also.

The sanitation district should not cram down cities throats sewer lines that will contribute to development the cities have not planned for and cannot afford. The two lines should not be linked.

Already, thousands of Chesapeake residents are signing a petition to hold a referendum on managing growth. Planning Commission support for the Southeastern Interceptor would really have angered the many residents already upset over their city's rapid growth in recent years.

The popular call, which the Planning Commission made, was also the right call.

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