AGENDA DATE: 8/4/2021
TITLE:
Title
Ordinance to Amend County Code Chapter 9, Motor Vehicles and Traffic
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Public hearing to consider the adoption of an ordinance to amend County Code Chapter 9, Motor Vehicles and Traffic
ITEM TYPE: Regular Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Walker, Kamptner, Farley, Bessette, Lantz, Stoddard, Jamerson
PRESENTER (S): Greg Kamptner
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: The Board has directed the County Attorney’s Office to conduct a comprehensive review and recodification of the County Code. Chapter 9 of the County Code regulates the operation, parking, and licensing/permitting of motor vehicles, bicycles, electric power-assisted bicycles, motorized skateboards or scooters, and mopeds.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Mission - To enhance the well-being and quality of life for all community members through the provision of the highest level of public service consistent with the prudent use of public funds.
DISCUSSION: The process of recodifying the County Code includes making formatting, style, organizational, and substantive changes. These changes are being addressed at the chapter level before the Board considers adopting a complete, recodified County Code.
The attached proposed ordinance includes the following substantive changes:
• Removes a requirement that a vehicle must not only impede the use of highways, but must also have created a traffic hazard - creating an additional, unclear requirement - before police may order the vehicle removed.
• Removes parking regulations for the University of Virginia, the Piedmont Virginia Community College, and the Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport, which have their own parking rules.
• Removes the vehicle license provisions and relocates them to County Code Chapter 15, Taxation. An ordinance to amend County Code Chapter 15 because those provisions pertain to a tax.
• Removes regulations pertaining to traffic light signal monitoring systems because the County no longer uses such a system and the current regulations are outdated. Virginia Code § 46.2-113 enables localities to set the maximum fine for violations for which the penalty is not otherwise provided at $250.00. Proposed County Code § 9-117 would increase the maximum fine for these violations from $100.00 to $250.00.
In addition, staff has included stylistic revisions and eliminated archaic or redundant language to make the chapter easier to read.
BUDGET IMPACT: There is no expected budget impact.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends that, after the public hearing, the Board adopt the attached proposed ordinance (Attachment A).
ATTACHMENTS:
A - Proposed Ordinance