Published: August 20, 2008 10:17 pm      

Lewisburg council hears complaints about subdivision

LEWISBURG — The president of a homeowners association raised concerns at Tuesday’s city council meeting over what he called a developer’s “sporadic construction” and “apparent building code violations” in the Lamplighter Valley subdivision.

Lamplighter Valley Homeowners Association president Gary Knepp said legal action had previously been taken against Carter Development Inc. of Charleston, and many of the homeowners appeared at a recent city planning commission and voiced their displeasure about the unfinished lots.

“As most of you are aware, a significant amount of construction has been occurring in our subdivision in the last two years,” Knepp told council. “In June, Carter Development responded with a flurry of activity. However, our concern is that unauthorized construction is still occurring and we are requesting that the city enforce all the building codes and ordinances.”

Councilman Wade McClure told Knepp that all of the homeowners associations legal options should be considered if they cannot find any relief.

“If, in fact, building code violations are occurring, then you have the right to go to court,” McClure said. “You have many avenues for remedy, if you think something has been done improper.”

Knepp said the association is “getting to that point and heading into that direction.”

A phone listing for Carter Development Inc. in Charleston could not be found Wednesday. Lewisburg Mayor John Manchester said he had met with Donald Carter, owner of Carter Development, and his attorney in July. Manchester said efforts are under way to clean up many of the unfinished lots.

“We met with Mr. Carter and his attorney and indicated our concerns and they agreed to carve out a timeline for each of the six lots that are under development,” Manchester said. “They stated they will also furnish a monthly report on their progress. We will be holding the contractor to his stated timelines and on the progress of the six primary houses that are under construction.”

In other action the council:

- Unanimously approved a conditional use permit for First National Bank to operate a drive-thru in downtown Lewisburg. FNB senior vice president Jim King said the bank is in the planning stages of revamping the former Dollar General store at 202 E. Washington St. Remodeling plans for the building’s exterior will be presented to the Historic Landmark Commission.

- Tabled a presentation and public hearing concerning an application by U.S. Cellular to build a cell tower at one of the city’s recreational parks. Manchester said 580 letters had been mailed to residents within 500 yards of the proposed tower, but many had not received their letters. The presentation and public hearing were tabled until the governing body’s Oct. 21 meeting.

— E-mail: cgiggenbach@register-herald.com