Saltville council schedules public hearing on Sycamore Road truck-traffic ordinance

The Saltville Town Council voted Jan. 13 to schedule a public hearing on a draft ordinance that would prohibit through truck traffic on Sycamore Road, and to clarify a local-delivery exception that town attorneys say is required by state statute.

Town Manager Cecile Rosenbaum presented the draft, written by Town Attorney Paul Cassell, and asked the council whether it wanted the item on the Feb. 10 agenda. Cassell said he drafted the ordinance by quoting the state statute and adding the Sycamore Road name; he told the council that once a sign is posted police would have authority to issue tickets. “I went by state code to draft up the ordinance,” Cassell said, and noted he had seen signs reading, in his words, “GPS routing not recommended.”

Councilman R.B. Henderson moved to set a public hearing on the amended ordinance; Councilman Ryan Comer seconded. The motion passed on a roll-call vote with all five members present voting aye.

Rosenbaum told the council that clarifying the phrase “local deliveries” in the ordinance language would make the local case stronger for placement of signage and enforcement; Comer said the town’s goal was to meet VDOT’s sign-placement requirements. The item will be advertised for the Feb. 10 meeting, where council members will consider the ordinance and any public comment.

The council did not take final action on the ordinance at the Jan. 13 meeting; the vote recorded was to schedule the public hearing. The Feb. 10 packet will include the amended ordinance language for council consideration and public comment.