HomeMy WebLinkAboutVA200000003 Correspondence 2000-03-07 DAVID VANAMAN
MARGARET SKELLEY
2315 WESTOVER DRIVE
CHARLOTrESVILLE, VA 22901
(8041 823-2829
VIA HAND DELIVERY
March 7, 2000
Jan Sprinkle, Chief of Zoning Administration
Department of Building Code and Zoning Services
County of Albemarle
401 McIntire Road, Room 227
Charlottesville, VA 22902
Re: VA-2000-003, Martha Voshell and Margaret Colmenares(owners/applicants)
(Sign#3) - Tax Map 41B, Parcel 1-15
Dear Ms. Sprinkle:
We own Tax Map 41 B, Parcel 1-12, at the corner of Westover Circle and Westover Drive.
Our property is separated from applicant's property by two parcels fronting on Westover Circle.
We are unable to attend the hearing, so we ask that this letter be entered into the record.
Our lot was developed and the house built in 1971-72. We purchased the property in July,
1995. In February, 1997, our well failed. We were completely without water for several days.
At significant personal expense, we had to have a new well drilled. Our lot is such that the area
within which a new well could be drilled was very small. If the new well should fail, it is not
clear what we could do. The new well had to be chlorinated several times before it tested
negative for bacteria. To this day, out of an abundance of caution, we boil the water we drink.
There are two houses now under construction in our subdivision. One is on a lot even closer
to ours than applicant's. Presumably that lot has a drainfield which meets current standards. We
understand the dilemma faced by the owners/applicants and bear them no ill will in their efforts
to profit from their property. Were applicant's seeking to build a house on their property 25 or
30 years ago, we would probably not be having this discussion. But the state of the art and
understanding of septic systems and ground water have changed considerably since Westover
Hills was first created. We are concerned that reducing the area needed for a septic drainfield
may have a long term negative impact on our water supply, especially with the added load of the
new construction. The county has been clear on its unwillingness to approve water line
extensions to rural subdivisions such as ours. Who will compensate us for the long term health
hazards and loss in value of our property if the addition of an inadequate drainfield despoils our
water supply?
Sincerely,