Opinion ID: 6826017
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Community of Interest

Text: The trial court found that there exists “very little community of interest between the City of Petersburg and its citizens and the citizens of the area it seeks to annex, that there is a slightly higher degree of community of interest between the citizens of the areas Hopewell seeks to annex and [Hopewell] and its citizens, and that a very high community of interest exists between the citizens of the areas sought to be annexed by both Cities and the remaining portions of the County, and its citizens.” Hopewell and Petersburg contend that the trial court’s finding conflicts with the analysis made by the Commission with respect to community of interest. The Commission’s position on the subject of community of interest is ambiguous, to say the least. The Commission wrote: “With respect to the non-military properties in the areas proposed for annexation, we have no difficulty concluding that the Cities of Petersburg and Hopewell have been, and remain, the principal factors nurturing their development.” Against this statement, in addition to other evidence, Prince George produced the testimony of Dr. Thomas M. Guterbock, a sociologist from the University of Virginia. This expert conducted an intensive survey of 1,504 households in the cities of Petersburg and Hopewell, the areas proposed for annexation, and the remainder of Prince George. His survey questions covered numerous factors affecting community of interest. He expressed the opinion that the community of interest that exists between the Petersburg annexation area and the remainder of Prince George is “far greater” than the interest between the annexation area and Petersburg. He also stated his opinion that the community of interest between the Hopewell annexation area and the remainder of Prince George is “stronger” than the interest between the Hopewell annexation area and Hopewell. Dr. Guterbock testified to the same effect in Hopewell v. Prince George, the immunity case. After quoting his testimony, we observed: “[His] opinions, as well as the findings offered in support of the opinions and other County evidence, were entirely sufficient to support the trial court’s community of interest conclusions.” 239 Va. at 297, 389 S.E.2d at 690. We adopt that observation as dispositive of the community of interest question here.