Ed. — From the Sunday, Aug. 13, print edition.
THE INDEPENDENT NEWS
VIRGINIA BEACH — An ongoing legal dispute between the West Neck Community Association and the owner of the former Signature at West Neck golf course could go to trial early next year in federal court, though the parties will meet later this year to see if they can resolve matters between them.
U.S District Court Judge Elizabeth W. Hanes in July issued a scheduling and pretrial order in the dispute which could lead to a bench trial in Norfolk on Tuesday, Feb. 6. Hanes has consolidated two matters that began in state court into one case in federal court, finding that the federal court has jurisdiction.
Also, the parties are scheduled to meet in September for a settlement conference to see if they can resolve the matter.
The recent legal issues follow tension between the association and JBWK LLC, the current owner of land where the golf course operated until it failed as a business in 2019. The course’s upkeep was part of previous litigation involving the city and property owner that was settled.
The association has asserted the golf course property is subject to community bylaws and has sought to levy fines for overgrown brush, construction of fencing and operation of a tree farm.
JBWK disputes this, saying the association lacks authority over its property.
The court matter is part of a series of conflicts about the former Signature course. Some people in neighborhoods near the property hope that it could be restored as a golf course.
A developer, however, has said they have an option on the property and aim to seek a rezoning that would clear the way for its redevelopment as a community called Signature Meadows.
Plans would include the construction of additional housing on the former Signature course.
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I would like to thank Tom Luckman for his leadership in his involvement with the West Neck golf course fiasco! Hope we can all support him when there is any kind of meeting where our attendance is needed to support the effort to deny rezoning of the golf course area! For 3 years all we can see as we drive through West Neck is weeds almost shoulder high and is time for this fiasco to come to some resolution! Galen Olmstead