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Stephens City advances ordinance language on restricted parking and proposal to vacate paper road to allow sale
Summary
Council/committees reviewed an ordinance to let the mayor and council restrict parking in targeted areas and a Public Works recommendation to begin the process to vacate and sell a 0.20-acre unbuilt road stub near Walnut Lane and Massie Street to South Frederick Development.
Stephens City officials reviewed and circulated two policy items affecting public space and property.
Council included draft language for a new ordinance (Section 17-12) that would allow the mayor, following a council resolution, to restrict parking on specific streets where two-sided parking affects emergency access. The ordinance establishes a process: Public Safety and Police/Fire recommendations, notice to affected property owners by mail or hand delivery, a council resolution after a public comment opportunity, and a review of restrictions by the Public Safety Committee every 24 months. The ordinance provides enforcement on a complaint basis with an initial civil penalty not exceeding $25 and potential towing for repeat offenses.
Separately, the Public Works Committee on April 18 voted to recommend council initiate the process to abandon a 0.20-acre unbuilt 'paper' road stub running from the Walnut Lane/Massie Street intersection east toward Interstate 81 and to permit sale to South Frederick Development. A draft ordinance on the record declares the property surplus and directs public advertisement and acceptance or rejection of bids following required notice and a public hearing.
Both items were presented as motions and committee recommendations; the record shows committee action to forward the road-vacation matter to council and that the parking ordinance language was included in the packet with enabling statute citations (Va. Code Sections 15.2-968.01, 15.2-2001 and 15.2-2009). Council will need to consider the ordinances in subsequent readings before final adoption.
