Alas, my clairvoyance isn't the lucrative kind; I'd love to know which horse will win the Kentucky Derby five weeks from now. But no, my foresight is limited to this: I know how the zoning mess on Morreene Road is going to end.

First, a story summary.

On the west side of town is a two-acre lot that was occupied by various restaurants for more than 50 years, most recently the Mariner's Cove.

Over the years, single-family houses filled the neighborhood. When zoning rules were introduced, the restaurant site, a commercial island in a residential area, received a commercial designation. After all, it was there first.

Awhile back, the restaurant closed. SunRay Properties bought the land and asked for permission to put up a new building. City-county planning director Frank Duke, who since has departed for Norfolk, gave the OK.

Construction started last year. A 13,000-square-foot building, mostly a warehouse, took shape.

Neighbors freaked out. Drive by the place and you'll see why.

The residents say the building must go. No way, says SunRay. Everybody's lawyered up. The Board of Adjustment has met again and again to examine the matter in mind-numbing detail. The whole mess is about to spill into the courts.

To the crystal ball: I foresee that it will be determined one day that the planning department goofed in allowing a building unsuited to the location -- and that taxpayers will foot the bill for tearing it down and compensating SunRay.

The city and county can probably stall for months or years, but the legal bills are mounting. Might as well start negotiating now.