NEWS BRIEFS
Supervisors restrict use of vehicles

Morse

The Chesterfield Board of Supervisors last week unanimously approved new restrictions for the operation of motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles and go-karts on land zoned residential or agricultural. The amendments prohibit physical improvements like dirt tracks, lights and grandstands, and paths on residential lots and on agricultural land that adjoins residential lots. The goal is to reduce the noise, light and dust associated with the vehicles' use.

"If we go out and determine a path has been made, it would be a violation," said Code Compliance Supervisor Ted Barclay of the zoning department.

During his presentation to the board, he showed a video of night racing on a lit track on Winterpock Road. That track and others would be grandfathered unless improvements are made at a later date.

"It does not preclude random riding," said County Attorney Steve Micas. "It prevents an improved track."

Speaking during the public hearing, two mothers, who have children who ride, expressed doubts that the ordinance would accomplish its intended purpose of protecting nearby homes.

County man arrested for murder

A 44-year-old Chesterfield man was arrested on Nov. 12 for the second-degree murder of his live-in partner.

Officers discovered 66-year-old Frances Telitha Clendenin's lifeless body in her home in the 6900 block of Wentworth Street around 9:30 a.m. Tyrone Thomas Morse Jr. was arrested later in the day for her death. According to police, Morse and Clendenin were living together, but the relationship had included several previous episodes of domestic violence. Clendenin died of internal injuries after she was hit in her left rib cage. Her body also included bruising, cuts and scratches on her face, arms and legs.

Morse is expected to appear in court for a hearing next month.

Board hikes subdivision fees

The county board unanimously raised fees paid by developers for reviewing their subdivision plans. The planning commission and a committee had recommended that the fees cover 63 percent of the review cost, but the board opted for 80 percent.

"The taxpayers are subsidizing this effort," objected Chairman Kelly Miller.

The Home Building Association of Richmond spoke in favor of 63 percent, saying the two extra planners that have been hired by the planning department will expedite plan reviews. The previous fee schedule only covered 45 percent of the review cost.

School board awards contracts

The school board awarded contracts last week for additions at Ecoff Elementary and Lloyd C. Bird High schools.

A $2.2 million contract was awarded to Gulf Seaboard to build three regular classrooms, one kindergarten classroom, one English as a Second Language classroom, two special education rooms, an art/music room and student bathrooms.

At L.C. Bird, Haley Builders received a $4.2 million contract to expand the engineering specialty center there. The addition will include a new administrative area, presentation and lecture rooms, six regular classrooms and labs for bioengineering, physics, computer, chemistry, CADD (design/drafting) and manufacturing.

Both schools are currently suffering from overcrowding with Ecoff operating at 2 percent above capacity and L.C. Bird at 4 percent.