Committee approves update to snow emergency routes and code language

Ethan Longenecker, Winchester City emergency management coordinator, presented an ordinance to amend Chapter 14, Article 3, Sections 14-32 and 14-33 of the Winchester City Code to update snow-emergency routes and simplify statutory language.

"Existing code was developed in 1978 for snow emergency routes. Obviously there's been significant changes in the city since 1978," Longenecker said, noting changes in critical infrastructure and new roadways. He said the proposed ordinance would remove references to "snow plan A, B and C" and replace them with a single, clearer "snow emergency" designation. "Those are kind of confusing terms that nobody really knows what they mean," he said.

Justin Hall, public works division manager, worked on developing the updated route maps. Longenecker and Hall said the proposal adds more primary routes into neighborhoods and relocates or adds snow-emergency signage to reflect the new routes. Longenecker said the maps shown to the committee displayed existing routes in blue and proposed routes in red.

Committee members praised the readability of the revised language and emphasized a desire to have the changes in place before winter. One councilor observed the city has expanded substantially since 1978 and supported moving quickly. Committee members asked about signage and notification; Longenecker said existing signs would be relocated to new routes and additional signs added where required and noted that the code contains a definition for the snow-emergency trigger.

A committee member moved to approve the ordinance; another member seconded. All those present voted in favor. The committee recorded vocal unanimous approval and the item will move on to the City Council for final action.