Sewage warning sparks legal fight in Occoquan

A property dispute on Mill Street in Occoquan led to an erected sign warning of raw sewage.

The sign was  put up in late February on a property in front of Rockledge Mansion, a popular wedding venue in the town. Chris Kiley purchased the properties at 440 and 450 Mill Street at auction and filed a plan to build two townhomes.

Town officials approved his a site and subdivision plans for the houses, but two sewer lines buried on the property that serve the mansion prevent him from building there.

Kiley was negotiating with the owners of the nearly 260-year-old Rockledge Mansion Lance Houghton to move the lines, but those negotiations stopped when both parties couldn’t agree on who would pay to move the lines. Afterward, the sign was appeared on Kiley’s property, said Houghton.

Kiley said a camera he dropped into the sewer lines on his property showed leaking sewage. 

“My neighbor is in a home that was built as a residence that is now being used as a wedding venue. The plumbing lines are not built to accommodate 120 people,” said Kiley.

But Houghton said Kiley’s sign is misleading.

“He put up that sign to create an impression of a problem where none exists,” said Houghton, who said there is no sign of leaking sewage.

The property on which Kiley wants to build was once a part of the mansion. After Houghton’s mother had died, the property at 440 and 450 Mill Street was placed in an estate. Kiley purchased the property while serving overseas in the Marine Corps.

Rockledge Mansion holds about three events per month. The sign hasn’t helped business, especially when potential clients come to tour the venue.

‘The line is open to the air and is going to leak sewage onto my property, and then the bride is going to be very angry at me.” said Kiley.

Both parties each have lawyers and plan to take this fight to court.