[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6619002,"mediaKeyId","5063487-6c80be8a82cf42f36ecc119e902e56bd","parentId",5063487,"title","Residents, Council Discuss Traffic Calming, Blind Intersection on Taney and Heavy‑truck Routing to Post Office","audioSeconds",30,"startMs",2452000,"endMs",2422000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5063487-6c80be8a82cf42f36ecc119e902e56bd&start=2452&end=2422","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5063487-6c80be8a82cf42f36ecc119e902e56bd/thumbnail_2452000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6619002/Virginia/Residents-Council-Discuss-Traffic-Calming-Blind-Intersection-on-Taney-and-Heavytruck-Routing-to-Post-Office","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6619002-3e95723344c98229428478543a393d71/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169701&Signature=UgoQzYs8rZGkdfARrU8nmSloDhv-6-s0y9KsMHyu-Up5r89RF3nlJWnn4K6O~ZtuFuA0jns7hAXgi2pusBW1nvxYATA4h-1WQ5J-YeQ~0vre6E460GBPNHJEYB7vhT8AN-fMp41UBrZT8qYpoRENi29LiOJR5dtf-2oL5uh7Oksr9BURqrV48e7y1MylQT40UGsOoRT7yb~I-WEzZ3vbcUHAHPIVAEdPUTyltdlRLg3gVSIAuHA33Z9Y~jBj429rZrWu0O3FoBAZMRcdHD03nbyVwWU-xouvwO39F~Q8jvSjUKFBwWCgsLqNs3-sBIi2yDdO8dl3CRXxRtBtDx8Dtg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Manassas City","date","2025-03-17T00:00:00Z","article","Residents used the town hall to press the city on several traffic and safety problems across Manassas, including a blind intersection at Taney and Grand Avenue, speeding on Main Street/Liberia, and large commercial vehicles cutting through residential streets to access a postal loading gate.

Betty Robinson, who lives on Taney Road since 1981, described an unsafe condition at the Taney/Grand intersection: when cars park on Grand Avenue next to the intersection, drivers on Taney have severely restricted sight lines. “If an SUV parks on Grand Avenue, I can't see,” Robinson said, and asked what plan the city has to correct the intersection.

City staff told Robinson they would check sight distance at the intersection and would consider restricting parking on the space closest to Taney if necessary. Staff also suggested short‑term steps such as a mirror or targeted parking restrictions in the immediate spot if sight distance is adversely affected.

Separately, residents raised speeding on Liberia/Main Street and asked for speed humps; staff said a phased traffic‑calming program is in the city’s CIP and that Main Street will be a test case. Staff cautioned that some speed control devices — notably raised speed tables or humps — have limits because they can slow fire and EMS response and complicate transport; staff said they will coordinate with the fire department when planning installations.

Plantation Lane residents described repeated passes by tractor‑trailers that they said should not be using the street. Staff and the post office representative explained that many large delivery trucks must use a specific side entrance to reach the loading dock behind the post office; the post office said larger trucks cannot maneuver to the loading dock if they enter from Suddley, so drivers use the route that brings them past Plantation. Staff said they have spoken with the post office and VRE/Norfolk Southern about other crossings and will continue to press for repairs and operational changes.

On railroad crossings, residents asked the city to press VRE (Virginia Railway Express) and Norfolk Southern for repairs; council members said the city has requested repairs and will continue advocacy but that the track is not directly city property.

No council votes were taken at the town hall. Staff said they will (1) analyze sight distance at Taney/Grand and recommend targeted parking/visibility improvements, (2) move forward on CIP traffic‑calming work on Main Street as conditions and funding allow, and (3) continue to press rail and postal operators for operational fixes and track repairs.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Manassas City Council 3/17/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Residents pressed city officials about a blind intersection at Taney and Grand Avenue, speeding on Main Street/Liberia and tractor‑trailers routing through Plantation Lane to reach a postal delivery gate.","taxTitle","Manassas, Prince William County, Virginia","taxId",56304,"location","Virginia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6618993,"Debate Over City Investments, Tax Rate and Reserves Surfaces at Manassas Town Hall",692,2850000,3542000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5063487-6c80be8a82cf42f36ecc119e902e56bd&start=2850&end=3542","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5063487-6c80be8a82cf42f36ecc119e902e56bd/thumbnail_2850000.jpg","/articles/6618993/Virginia/Debate-Over-City-Investments-Tax-Rate-and-Reserves-Surfaces-at-Manassas-Town-Hall","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6618993-0c87dc9f96a83562882a34fc4eb45809/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169701&Signature=PmdCwla6ms5MB5l-r2NLY3h0ccANQBZ8HGRqgM5NvYQUvoA0G8j1UIYGD-VhYfD8CQibR-rc8zZkZNRbLmDE3bQ4EGa~zXmp7csYViHeI5xEi7IEcTejs5kDrLAw1CvvCpTgJzfjU6UYIciilf0qAYiggDQIE2RpU9nqRYseNe7Hyo1Gfuv-1PI6ZgdCQ5ipFqP78~xx5uh3ypNyqs9F9Jw0bK0dWT9sMk-pssmv0tL1Gab-rYhTa4Z9sA9h5MaUK2aLTJI~5a~Hqzuy2P6nuTocOtpZckT3gLt2oyITaC-~9XIIYB294N60-rTAbqUedzfwAUK~gp~4GCGXAVel-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The town hall included a broad debate over the city's investment strategy, tax rate and use of reserves.

Resident Mark Boston criticized the city's high real‑estate tax rate compared with surrounding counties and urged spending restraint. “Manassas City's is at 1.26. That's a 22% higher rate than the highest county in the surrounding area,” he said, calling for lower taxes and less city spending on real‑estate investments.

Others defended recent property acquisitions as long‑term investments. Alan Mushnik and other residents told council that purchases such as the Old Town Inn, Marcella Park work and the Mifco property are investments that will pay dividends for the city over time and support downtown activity.

On a specific acquisition, a resident asked about a reported Mifco purchase price of about $3.5 million; a speaker at the meeting confirmed the contemplated purchase price and said the city was pursuing interest from private developers for other sites but that financing markets had delayed closing on some deals.

Council and staff clarified that some capital projects for utilities are paid from utility revenues and rate structures, not general tax dollars, and that the city has and will use reserves in budget planning. Staff also noted that expected revenues from data centers and other large industrial projects are phased and may not provide full revenue benefits for several years; some residents urged postponing discretionary capital projects until those revenues materialize.

Staff gave residents an overview of the city’s community survey process after questions about public input: staff said about 12,917 properties are in the city’s mailing list for household surveys and that the consultant aims for a 12–15% return, noting the city’s return ratio was roughly 13.5 percent in the most recent survey. The survey and resident input will inform budget deliberations continuing through May.

No budget decisions were made at the town hall; council members said the FY budget process will continue with additional work sessions and a public hearing in April.","Residents and council debated the city’s investment strategy, tax rate and use of reserves; some residents urged delaying discretionary capital work until large industrial revenues arrive.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6618998,"Volunteers, Master Gardeners and City Staff Coordinate on English‑ivy and Park Tree Cleanup",0,2157000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5063487-6c80be8a82cf42f36ecc119e902e56bd&start=2157&end=2157","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5063487-6c80be8a82cf42f36ecc119e902e56bd/thumbnail_2157000.jpg","/articles/6618998/Virginia/Volunteers-Master-Gardeners-and-City-Staff-Coordinate-on-Englishivy-and-Park-Tree-Cleanup","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6618998-d0b6a060bcae0393102615cc6f693f99/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169701&Signature=EQGIcMiS9265AvI5~5DoG9K1rUDOUZdwCYx7vEvgKKqbpaiY1a4Qhu0ZG1sVCrsw6fX6SjU~2cHNb--pogoPMfO10iENpluyU6sf5tN5aSELkqXywhUjoKq4L-pWVkdsSwq5vtveHF3MBhqVfQgO40mgXZTBM8uvv8VQAMonQPRUaMWIDIvulvT5KyKA9-DvhX4q~6q3-hS48gvvH4MxKtVhRsYcQMVGyyUIpKyIHiv7b1W2seP3L3a3bW6SCRyc9XoNHd3UZk4O0tJbPjiN1NXYyaT~L4BOrZ3h20A1s7g8HkhOzDlmX4sfpA4YrpBt4bsw0xqNTyux4NQyhbsMPw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents and volunteers at the town hall urged the city to act more quickly to remove English‑ivy and fallen trees on museum property and other parks.

Zack Murphy, a frequent volunteer and community gardener, said the volunteer group had been removing ivy around tree bases and would next target the museum property and the farmer’s market area, where they have observed spotted lanternflies under ivy. “We started a whole garden. We started a subcommittee to take care of the stuff that you guys wouldn't pay for,” Murphy said, and described volunteer work to cut ivy at the base of trees.

A Master Gardener and other residents noted the scale of the problem, saying English‑ivy can decimate native tree stands if not controlled. City staff told residents the city arborist is aware and that some cleanup has taken place; staff offered to connect volunteers with the arborist and to coordinate further removal and assessment. A city staff member also suggested Earth Day volunteer groups that could be mobilized for additional site work.

Council members praised volunteer efforts and asked staff to provide an assessment of park areas most at risk from invasive ivy, and to coordinate with Prince William County Master Gardeners who already run outreach and removal programs. No new funding commitments were made at the town hall; the discussion focused on coordination and volunteer support.

Volunteers said they will continue removals at the museum property, the farmers market and Winterset Park and asked for clearer lines of communication with city arborists and staff.","Residents and volunteers reported encroaching English‑ivy at museum property and other parklands; city staff said the arborist is aware and has been working with volunteers. Council encouraged coordination for further removal and outreach ahead of Earth Day.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6619007,"Town‑hall Erupts Over Comments About Veterans and Tax Relief; Commissioner Says State exemption is straining local budget",2755,650000,3405000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5063487-6c80be8a82cf42f36ecc119e902e56bd&start=650&end=3405","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5063487-6c80be8a82cf42f36ecc119e902e56bd/thumbnail_650000.jpg","/articles/6619007/Virginia/Townhall-Erupts-Over-Comments-About-Veterans-and-Tax-Relief-Commissioner-Says-State-exemption-is-straining-local-budget","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6619007-62d1e2a2d0ea6f02d13b0616ec407c56/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169701&Signature=E9nYDO~PMQQfQPG57Buzf-0OnmIZIUZNwEzam~kGEeGBB-OR86wwStVEDXGQh8~vTDhIM0mDbIjpbKsRWcU1nGSbQWNUZxlbL5euqrUB-bBakSFtpDPkcAW9I3vNi8MCE60De37uXDkQGaXwcqIUc3qZ-IcfMxiIC8eW0l1YOosmPZZ4A38lODzq~1120V44mNaX8uNWT6o2eikWqAAVrke4fv6MejfeinXItANYNsTUMabD125RgNHogk41aakYvxd2wMvPJxHl2QwdIujhno-NISNbHaIHhp5JKc2VVncp2~JbW1QaXhUPv-VE2KAZ8rb-PQxSIPw8v8~vYeR15w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Comments at a recent council meeting about veterans’ tax relief drew sharp public criticism at the Manassas town hall, where several residents said council members had been dismissive.

Zack Murphy, a resident, told the town hall he was “completely disrespectful” after watching a recording of a March meeting in which, he said, council members laughed while a resident discussed petitions and veterans. “You just laughed it off. Completely disrespectful,” Murphy said.

Multiple residents, including Murphy and others at the microphone, said they were offended not only by the reaction but by a line of argument that appeared to link veterans’ tax exemptions to limits on other local spending.

Commissioner of the Revenue Tim Demaria (as identified in remarks at the meeting) told residents he had raised the issue at council to highlight fiscal pressure the local veteran exemption program creates. He said the city follows a local policy to limit general‑revenue exemptions for elderly and disabled relief at roughly 2 percent of general revenue, and that veteran exemptions have risen. “We’re above that right now, 2.01 percent,” he said during the town hall, arguing council should be aware of future increases.

Demaria said his intention in raising the matter was to make council mindful of the program’s rising cost and to ask whether the city should consider changes that would protect other relief programs for elderly residents. He and other council members said they did not intend to be disrespectful. Several council members apologized for how remarks were received and agreed to continue the discussion with veterans’ advocates.

Residents pressed for alternatives: some urged the city to take unfunded mandates up with the General Assembly or to seek state support because the burden, they said, falls unevenly on localities with larger veteran populations. Others framed the issue as one of city spending choices and urged a review of capital purchases and tax incentives for large projects.

No formal policy change was proposed at the town hall. Council members suggested follow‑up meetings between commissioners, veterans’ advocates and staff to review the exemption’s fiscal impact and to explore whether changes to the city’s elderly relief threshold or other measures would be appropriate.","Residents criticized council for appearing to laugh at veterans' concerns. The Commissioner of the Revenue said local veteran exemptions are rising toward a 2% policy threshold and urged council awareness; council members discussed possible adjustments for elderly relief and agreed to continue conversations.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6619012,"Residents Press Manassas Officials on Stalled Backyard‑chicken Petition; Staff to Meet With Petitioners",448,150000,598000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5063487-6c80be8a82cf42f36ecc119e902e56bd&start=150&end=598","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5063487-6c80be8a82cf42f36ecc119e902e56bd/thumbnail_150000.jpg","/articles/6619012/Virginia/Residents-Press-Manassas-Officials-on-Stalled-Backyardchicken-Petition-Staff-to-Meet-With-Petitioners","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6619012-71cf5784e0fce0b59ef96280f5b8988c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771169701&Signature=IhVvu5TSrlL5HUd~K5a3B-mZPQYam0197MeNoyWs9XwuF-rHgwgpGW4p-lBPRPGxitL3M6E2UQ4obMzAFXQlymkPVw9291L2C34m25cB64w2YGk9LWRPi88Z-oTWzQdMRVOQj5KppAvDdVogLqoiShxsqyedFH-0QpxBIia1G2WAa-gWK0uPy9E0fuqc7pNNjSs8QYROG6WXBCVA11qWy0S8ZgiKphYvxP34nm0skdMVYVK3mXneej2VXK1pEa7VoQst6vKrhMSBpO3-p9SHnG4TQvIavYoJZVOiBgCA6AQfhLDzB0ACcu1HMioPWpdVdWA~7zmVMFKjKVlBaeW5QQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents asked Manassas officials on Tuesday why a petition to allow backyard chickens has not advanced after signatures were collected and earlier staff discussion.

Alex Shaytaanoff, a city resident who said he had collected about 60 signatures, told the town hall he began the process about a year ago and expected a clearer roadmap after submitting signatures to council staff. “I have 60 people that are willing to support that,” he said, and told council he felt the item was dismissed at a recent meeting.

City staff and council members described prior conversations and concerns. Staff said a work session earlier produced no clear council interest to move the topic forward; staff suggested a future meeting with community development to review models from other jurisdictions and specific local concerns. Council and staff listed recurring complaints raised in prior debates: nuisance smell, noise (including concerns about roosters), enforcement difficulties, and appropriate coop siting and setbacks.

At the town hall, speakers reviewed model restrictions the city discussed in 2021: allowing chickens only at single‑family homes (excluding duplexes, townhouses and apartments) and site setbacks that were proposed in earlier drafts, including a 50‑foot setback from streams or storm inlets and a 25‑foot setback from neighboring pens or kennels. City staff asked petition organizers to provide additional documentation and offered to convene a follow‑up meeting to share examples from Fairfax and Richmond and to identify enforceable standards.

Several speakers urged the city to outline enforcement mechanisms and respond to specific worries such as discovery of a rooster after purchase, routine coop maintenance and whether coop areas must be fenced. City staff said they would coordinate with community development and public‑works staff and invite petitioners to a follow‑up discussion.

For now, the petitioners were told to continue collecting signatures and that staff would reach out to schedule the community meeting. No formal ordinance or council vote was taken at the town hall.

Looking ahead, staff said they would present any recommended ordinance language or a proposed timeline to council only after community development and petitioners have met and staff have assembled comparative models from other jurisdictions.","Residents seeking a city ordinance to allow backyard chickens told the Manassas town‑hall meeting they gathered about 60 signatures but saw little follow‑through from the city. City staff agreed to work with community development and meet petitioners to review concerns and potential setbacks.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents, Council Discuss Traffic Calming, Blind Intersection on Taney and Heavy‑truck Routing to Post Office

Debate Over City Investments, Tax Rate and Reserves Surfaces at Manassas Town Hall

Volunteers, Master Gardeners and City Staff Coordinate on English‑ivy and Park Tree Cleanup

Town‑hall Erupts Over Comments About Veterans and Tax Relief; Commissioner Says State exemption is straining local budget

Residents Press Manassas Officials on Stalled Backyard‑chicken Petition; Staff to Meet With Petitioners