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Board asks staff for repair plan, cost estimate for service road serving two Sterling homes
Summary
A board member initiative asked staff to return with a plan and cost estimates to repair a degraded service road that serves two Sterling Boulevard homes; the board directed staff to present options and a long-term maintenance strategy by the second January meeting in 2026.
Supervisor Sainz brought a board-member initiative asking staff to prepare cost estimates and a plan to repair a failing service road serving 9003 and 9005 South Sterling Boulevard in the Sterling District. The segment is outside VDOT maintenance limits and has deteriorated to a rutted dirt surface, he said.
"This stretch of road does not meet VDOT requirements, and so pretty much is in no man's land," Sainz told the board, and he asked for staff to produce options and costs to bring it to a maintainable standard so the abutting residents could carry out long-term maintenance or the county could consider alternative arrangements.
County staff explained the common condition for such roads: the county may own a roadbed that does not meet VDOT standards and, per a longstanding board resolution, abutting property owners are normally responsible for maintenance. Staff said one past county project (Lake Drive) removed an embankment and brought the road to VDOT standards so it could be transferred into the state system. Staff offered to return with repair costs and a recommended maintenance approach for the Sterling segment.
Supervisor Sainz moved that staff return at the second January 2026 meeting with a plan and cost estimates to implement necessary repairs and a corresponding long-term maintenance strategy and funding recommendation; Supervisor Sanchez seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Why it matters: The request highlights recurring instances across the county where county-owned but non‑VDOT standard roads create maintenance and safety problems for residents, particularly in storm or snow events when the segments are not plowed or regularly maintained.
What’s next: Staff will prepare a scope, a cost estimate to bring the road to a maintainable standard and options for long-term maintenance or transfer, and will present recommendations to the board at the second January 2026 meeting.
