AGENDA DATE: 7/7/2021
TITLE:
Title
Proposed Amendments to Road Naming and Property Numbering Ordinance and Manual
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Authorization to Schedule a Public Hearing to Consider Proposed Amendments to the Road Naming and Property Numbering Ordinance and Manual
ITEM TYPE: Consent Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Walker, Kamptner, Herrick, Filardo, McCulley, Emerick
PRESENTER (S): N/A
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Jeffrey B. Richardson
BACKGROUND: County Code Chapter 7, Article 2 provides standards and specifications for road naming, road signage, and property numbering. In 1992, the County adopted the Road Naming and Property Numbering Ordinance and Manual to improve delivery of emergency services and to assure consistent addressing and road naming standards and procedures. The most recent amendment on March 18, 2020, included updates for the agent, addressable structures, and signage (based on the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices).
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 proposed amendments include reorganization, clarifications, and updates to improve understanding and administration of road naming and property numbering, including proposed stylistic clarifications from the County Attorney’s Office. Among other proposed revisions:
• The proposed language would fix a current definitional gap and codify longstanding practice to continue to apply the regulations to private roads with at least three addressable structures, regardless of whether they were approved by the County through the Subdivision Ordinance.
• A proposed reference in the Manual to Virginia Code § 33.2-213 would disqualify proposed road names that would be a) profane, obscene, or vulgar; b) sexually explicit or graphic; c) excretory related; d) descriptive of intimate body parts or genitals; e) descriptive of illegal activities or substances; f) condoning or encouraging violence; or g) socially, racially, or ethnically offensive or disparaging.
• A proposed amendment would increase the landowner consent required for administrative approval of a road name from a simple majority to at least a two-thirds majority. This increase in the necessary percentage for consent would trigger Board review of proposed road names that lacked a strong consensus.
• The draft Manual would continue to allow the assignment of half-numbers, but only when there is no available address to assign. A proposed addition to the Manual would emphasize that the use of half-numbers is not consistent with best practice and is strongly discouraged.
The current draft ordinance is shown in track changes with annotations as Attachment A, and the current draft Manual as Attachment B.
BUDGET IMPACT: There are no anticipated budget impacts.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Board authorize the advertisement of a future public hearing to consider adoption of a proposed revised Road Naming and Property Numbering Ordinance (Attachment A) and Manual (Attachment B).
ATTACHMENTS:
A - Current draft Ordinance
B - Current draft Manual