BEVERLY - For several years, Belpre-based R&G Development and the village of Beverly have been at loggerheads over infrastructure issues at Spring Hills subdivision off Ohio 339 at Lakeview Drive.
Now, it seems like all parties want to set past differences aside and get the needed infrastructure repairs completed to the 23-acre site.
According to Nannette Rudolph, R&G Development president, her late husband Robert Rudolph sold lots to residents of Spring Hills subdivision with the intention of the development becoming a viable idea.
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SHARON BOPP The Marietta Times
Bud Hopkins, a resident of Beverly’s Spring Hills subdivision, studies the sign that welcomes visitors to the development Friday. The village of Beverly and R&G Development, owners of the subdivision, are trying to work out a plan to repair ongoing infrastructure issues there.
"It's not fair to (Spring Hills' residents) to live in a development that's at a standstill," said Rudolph.
Bud Hopkins moved back to Beverly and bought his Spring Hills home in April 2006.
Hopkins moved away to serve in the U.S. Army for 20 years in locations around the world. Then, another job took him to places across the United States.
Fact Box
About Spring Hills:
Location: Ohio 339 at Lakeview Drive, Beverly.
Owner: R&G Development, Belpre.
Size: 23 acres.
Number of homes built: Three.
History:
1998: Planning for development begins.
2001 to 2005: R&G Development installs subdivision's roads and water system.
2004: Resident Dwight Morris moves to Spring Hills.
2006: Resident Bud Hopkins moves to Spring Hills.
Aug. 15: Beverly Council meets with R&G Development to discuss infrastructure repairs to Spring Hills.
"The Ohio Valley area is probably one of the prettiest areas in the whole United States," noted Hopkins.
Hopkins said he likes Beverly's small-town atmosphere, and the feeling of living in the country but being near the village at his home in Spring Hills.
"It's like coming home in my own backyard here," said Hopkins.
Spring Hills resident Dwight Morris, 69, is a longtime Beverly resident who has lived in the subdivision since 2004.
"It's a beautiful location with a beautiful view," Morris said. "It's like you're in town but not in town. There's nice neighbors and it's a nice place to be."
Hopkins and Morris both said they're ready for the issue between R&G Development and the village of Beverly to be resolved so they can have neighbors in their subdivision.
"I know for at least six years, (the village) has not issued any building permits up here," Hopkins noted. "It's kinda sad that it's been going on for that long."
According to Hopkins, a resolution to Spring Hills' infrastructure issues would be good for the village.
"It would increase the taxes and help support the community," Hopkins said.
Rudolph said R&G Development has made no further decisions about repairs to infrastructure issues at Spring Hills subdivision.
"(Beverly council members) brought up a few issues I wasn't ready to address," Rudolph said. Those issues included road repairs in the subdivision.
The village of Beverly and R&G Development have been at odds before over infrastructure issues.
According to Rudolph, R&G Development put roads and a water system in Spring Hills from 2001 to 2005.
"The water system had to be redone twice," noted Rudolph. "Both times, the village was not happy with it."
With those past problems in mind, "I want everything to be open out front so there aren't any unexpected things coming up later on," Rudolph said.
"We're just at a standstill until we get all the information on the table," added Rudolph.
Rudolph said R&G Development and the company's engineering consultant Gary Silcott, senior associate at Stantec of Logan, are waiting to hear back from the village's engineering consultant Doug Holz, a project manager for ADP of Newark.
"We've heard nothing back since the (Aug. 15) council meeting," said Beverly Mayor Rex Kenyon. "(R&G Development) needs to figure out how they will proceed, so they can make the business decision."
"Once they make a decision, then council will proceed," noted Kenyon.
Kenyon said he is optimistic that R&G Development does want to proceed with making needed infrastructure repairs at Spring Hills subdivision.
Morris is confident that Rudolph and R&G Development will do the repairs.
"I think she'd like to get this off the ground, too," said Morris.
According to Hopkins, Rudolph has been responsive to the needs of Spring Hills' residents, making sure that issues are resolved.
"I can't help but think that she'll continue to do so, and do anything that she can to secure this as a good place to live," he said.
