Critics oppose housing location

By Scott Marshall

Published: September 10, 2008

Proponents of a proposed housing complex on Lakeview Drive that would cater to working disabled people say it’s needed, but opponents say it would cause problems that they would have to live with.

Neighbors say it would increase traffic and lower their property values and, to a degree, increase crime, and they are skeptical that the developer could avoid that.

‘I know there is a need for this. It is not a great location.’
- Renee Thresher, opponent of housing proposal for Madison Heights

The developer, Ron Mittelman, said the proposed Lakeview Com-mons complex would enable disabled people to live near businesses and bus service and that he screens tenants to avoid problems.

“This building is designed, quite frankly, to be state of the art,” said Mittelman, who invited residents to meet with him at the Madison Heights library last week to hear concerns.

Neighbors said they were sympathetic to disabled people but say such a complex would affect their businesses and homes.

“I know there is a need for this,” said Renee Thresher, 50, who lives on Triple Oak Drive between Lakeview Drive and Seminole Drive. “I think this is a great project. It is not a great location.”

The complex would be near the Madison Heights Post Office and would have eight one-bedroom units; 12 two-bedroom units; and two three-bedroom units.

Several disabled people attended to support it, contending the project would not lower property values as some fear.

“They’re no different at all, really,” said Gary DuPriest, CEO of the Central Virginia Disability Association, of disabled people in general and who attended the meeting. “I think (opponents) need to be a little more open-minded about what’s going on.”

Neighbors say that not only increased traffic –– Lakeview Drive runs between U.S. 29 Business with Seminole Drive –– but also a lack of sidewalks would endanger people who use motorized wheelchairs.

Thousands of vehicles travel on Lakeview Drive, Thresher said.

Mittelman previously proposed the complex but withdrew it in July when some officials expressed misgivings.

Neighbors gathered dozens of signatures on a petition to oppose it and say another complex nearby, Willow Branch, creates problems that the new complex would duplicate: traffic and dozens of 911 calls for such problems as noise, among other things.

Willow Branch has 38 units, about half of which are for disabled people, said manager Pam Smith.

Mittelman says he will again propose the project to Amherst County later this month.