Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Ordinance Driveway topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Garrett Park council defers driveway ordinance after questions about grandfathering and inspections
Summary
The council delayed formal introduction of Ordinance No. 2026-3, which would let the town set driveway and parking specifications and generally limit curb cuts to one per property, after members asked for clearer grandfathering rules and whether civil engineers — not the building inspector — should handle plan reviews.
The Garrett Park Town Council on March 9 deferred formal introduction of Ordinance No. 2026-3, a proposed amendment to Chapter 7 that would allow the council to adopt specifications for parking and access driveways and limit curb entrances to one per property except in special circumstances. Town Manager Barb Matthews said the draft largely mirrors language discussed by the council in 2024 but, as written, would grandfather all existing driveways as of the ordinance effective date.
Council members asked staff to revise several provisions before reintroducing the measure. The council agreed by consensus to remove the words "altered" and "replaced" from Section 712(c) and to add explicit grandfathering language applying to all existing properties with two curb cuts, regardless of whether a permit had been obtained at the time of installation. Members also asked that Section 712(d)(10) be revised to require "consultation with the Town Council" when the Town Manager/Clerk makes discretionary determinations intended to protect public health, safety, or welfare.
In addition, the council discussed replacing a reference to the town "building inspector" in Section 713.1(c)(2) with a requirement that designs and plans be reviewed by a civil engineering firm. Council members asked staff to clarify what constitutes a repair versus a replacement for driveway aprons and to define when an apron must be upgraded to seven inches of concrete.
Mayor Keller and Town Manager Matthews said further modifications would be prepared for council review. No public hearing or vote was taken at the March 9 meeting; the ordinance's introduction was deferred to allow staff to draft the requested changes and precise grandfathering language.
