Concerns over a recent approval for a developer to build a Parade of Homes near Buckroe Beach Park has some Hampton City residents concerned, according to the Daily Press.

Nearly 7,300 residents signed a petition opposing the development of luxury homes. Hopefully City Council and the residents can work together to find a solution that will appease both sides of this issue.

"Despite outcry by residents and the City Council reversing course on a rezoning plan, Hampton agrees that a developer has legally "vested rights" to build a Parade of Homes near Buckroe Beach Park.

City Attorney Cynthia Hudson and Zoning Administrator Steven Shapiro issued a 17-page document of legal findings dated Sept. 10 to support the claim that developer Tommy Thompson has vested rights in the Buckroe property. This means the city could issue permits for him to build.

Thompson's attorney, Conway Sheild III, wrote to Shapiro last month asking if Hampton agreed with his assessment that Thompson has vested rights to build. As of Tuesday, the city had neither received permit applications, nor approved or issued any permits related to the Parade of Homes, said city spokeswoman Rebecca Bolte.

Hampton can expect a challenge by a committee of petitioners who gathered more than 7,300 signatures of support and have hired attorney Andrew Sacks. The group is opposed to the proposed development of luxury homes.

'This document is more of a piece of advocacy to support the developer's position than it is an objective rendition of what the city's true belief of the law is,' Sacks said.

Zoning ordinances aren't final until 30 days has passed, during which citizens can collect signatures for a petition for referendum, Sacks said. It almost seems the city made an effort to 'create' vested rights for the developer, which is an abuse of the doctrine, Sacks said."

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