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Stephens City council adopts ordinance limiting outside storage containers, advances code changes on refuse and short‑term rentals
Summary
At its Sept. 3 meeting Stephens City Town Council adopted a new ordinance limiting outside storage containers and moved forward on code amendments covering refuse, weeds and transient overnight accommodations; council also adopted proclamations recognizing Sherando High School and Constitution Week.
Stephens City’s Town Council on Sept. 3 adopted a third‑reading ordinance restricting outside storage containers and accepted additional readings of municipal code updates addressing refuse, weeds and transient overnight accommodations.
Mayor Michael A. Diaz presided over the meeting. Councilwoman Regina Swygert‑Smith moved to approve the third reading of an ordinance that would add Section 23‑210 (Outside Storage) to the Stephens City Code to limit the use of storage containers; the motion passed on a roll call recorded in the minutes as L. Fravel‑Aye, P. Fravel‑Aye, Smith‑Aye, Stevens‑Aye, Swygert‑Smith‑Aye and Woodruff‑Aye.
The council also heard two readings of proposed changes to Chapter 16 (Refuse and Weeds). The clerk read the code chapter by title; Councilwoman Mariah Smith moved to accept the first reading and Councilman Brian Woodruff moved to accept the second reading. Both motions were recorded as carrying unanimously.
Council considered amendments to Chapter 19 governing transient overnight accommodations, which the clerk read by title as an ordinance to add regulations for owners and agents in residential dwellings and to expand penalties for violations. Councilwoman Mariah Stevens moved to accept the first reading; the minutes record Linden A. Fravel (listed as “L. Fravel” in the roll call) voting Nay on that first reading while the rest voted Aye. The council later accepted the second reading; that roll call was recorded in the minutes with all members voting Aye.
The council also adopted a proclamation recognizing Sherando High School Recognition Week and a Constitution Week proclamation for Sept. 17–23. Both were approved by formal motion and recorded roll call votes.
What happens next: the outside storage ordinance was adopted on third reading and will be incorporated into the Stephens City Code as Section 23‑210. The Chapter 16 and Chapter 19 amendments advanced by readings; further procedural steps (final codification or effective dates) were not specified in the minutes.
Votes at a glance: third reading adoption of Section 23‑210 (Outside Storage) — carried (L. Fravel Aye; P. Fravel Aye; Smith Aye; Stevens Aye; Swygert‑Smith Aye; Woodruff Aye). Chapter 16 readings — first and second readings accepted (all Aye). Chapter 19 — first reading carried with Linden A. Fravel recorded as Nay; second reading subsequently carried with all Aye.
