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Stephens City presses VDOT over permit delays, changing requirements and large bonds
Summary
Town officials said VDOT permit delays and an $80,000 bond requirement slowed sewer repairs and that utility companies appeared to face different standards; VDOT representatives said they would investigate and that some permit times are now posted online.
Town officials and contractors told Stephens City Town Council on July 1 that delays and inconsistent permit enforcement by the Virginia Department of Transportation have impeded sewer repair projects and imposed unequal standards on utility companies.
Richard Runion, the town's public works representative, said sewer line replacements are necessary because of groundwater infiltration and that "it has taken over a month to get some permits from VDOT. We were told that one permit sat on a VDOT employee's desk for three weeks without being touched." He added that Washington Gas "is not being held to the same standard as the Town, nor is VDOT." Contractor Joe Ellison of JLC said VDOT employees sometimes changed requirements after work began, leaving contractors to reconcile differing directions.
VDOT representatives Ed Carter and Joe Johnson responded in the meeting. Carter said there is limited VDOT authority over utilities and asked to be provided an employee name so the office could address the specific problem. Johnson said he "wholeheartedly disagrees that the Town has been treated differently," noted that permit review times are posted on the VDOT website and said he would look into the long approval time at the district office. Carter said a central‑office resolution VDOT sent could limit bonds to $10,000; Runion had said the town faced an $80,000 bond on Green Street.
Town Attorney Dave Griffin raised constitutional and legal concerns about agreements VDOT requested localities sign, saying they appeared to require the town to guarantee future repairs and to take ownership of private laterals. Griffin said he posted the agreements to the statewide local government attorney's group and received feedback that such open‑ended conditions were inappropriate and might violate the Virginia Constitution by obligating funds that have not been appropriated.
Council members thanked the VDOT representatives for attending; Carter asked the town to contact him directly if further explanation was needed and said the issues would be addressed the following day.
