A pre-trial hearing for a lawsuit against Franklin County and its Board of Supervisors scheduled for June 23 was moved to Aug. 6.

The lawsuit was filed Jan. 17 by four lake residents in opposition to LakeWatch Spa and Resort, a proposed residential and commercial development on Virginia 122. The development also borders Betty's Creek, where the plaintiffs reside.

The plaintiffs, Steven Cuppy, Charles Hiltz, Karen Hiltz and Lorraine Redding, are challenging the board's Dec. 18 decision to rezone about 500 acres and grant special-use permits for the development. The zoning changed from agricultural to planned residential development.

The plaintiffs allege the board acted "in an arbitrary and capricious manner" when its members approved the controversial development.

Developer Edward "Trey" Park III introduced the development in July 2007 when he brought it before Franklin County's Planning Commission. The commissioners voted 4-3 against recommending the rezoning for the development.

Park revised the development several times over the next six months. On Dec. 18, the county's Board of Supervisors voted 4-3 to approve the development.

Supervisors Wayne Angell, Leland Mitchell, Hubert Quinn and Charles Wagner voted in favor of the development. Supervisors David Hurt, Russell Johnson and Charles Poindexter voted against it.

-- Laker Weekly