Va. Beach, church reach agreement over dispute

By Jennifer Jiggetts The Virginian-Pilot May 11, 2012

VIRGINIA BEACH

Leaders of a 170-year-old Kempsville church and the city have reached a proposed settlement over an eminent domain dispute that has spanned nearly 12 years.

The city announced Thursday morning that it will pay Emmanuel Episcopal Church $1.1 million in exchange for half an acre of church property sought by the city to widen and move Princess Anne Road. The city also will transfer to the church about 1.5 acres next to it and will seek closure of a half-acre portion of the old Princess Anne Road to add to the church's property under the proposed deal.

The church will use some of the money to build a 300-foot wall along the new Princess Anne Road to buffer its preschool from the traffic.

The agreement requires approval of both the City Council and the church's vestry.

The city previously offered the church an $852,716 settlement, according to Virginia Beach court records.

Emmanuel Episcopal representatives had been fighting with city leaders over the plan to relocate the intersection of Princess Anne and Kempsville roads.

Church leaders have said that about 12 years ago, before renovating their parish hall and building a preschool, they asked city officials whether there were plans to work on the intersection. They said they were told no and proceeded with the $2 million school construction.

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Va. Beach, church reach agreement over dispute