AGENDA DATE: 10/20/2021
TITLE:
Title
Proposed Amendments to Road Naming and Property Numbering Ordinance and Manual
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Public Hearing to Consider Proposed Amendments to the Road Naming and Property Numbering Ordinance and Manual
ITEM TYPE: Regular Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Richardson, Walker, Kamptner, Herrick, Filardo, McCulley, Pohl, Emerick
PRESENTER (S): Ruth Emerick
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 the understanding and administration of road naming and property numbering, including proposed stylistic clarifications from the County Attorney’s Office. Among other proposed revisions:
1. Proposed County Code § 7-200(C) would fix a current definitional gap and codify the longstanding practice of applying the regulations to private roads with at least three addressable structures, regardless of whether those roads were approved by the County through the Subdivision Ordinance.
2. County Code § 7-204(D) would include a provision to co-locate road name signs on existing sign posts whenever practical. This specific revision reflects input received from the Board when the ordinance was set for public hearing.
3. County Code § 7-210 would update the designation from the County Executive to the Agent as the individual responsible for enforcing the regulations. This amendment would conform to prior ordinance amendments in which the Agent was designated to enforce the regulations.
4. A proposed reference in the Manual (Part I, § 4(m)) 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.
5. A proposed amendment to the Manual (Part I, § 6) would increase the number of landowners whose consent was required for administrative approval of a road name from a simple majority to at least a two-thirds majority. Proposed road name(s) lacking the required two-thirds consensus would trigger Board review.
6. The draft Manual (Part II, § 2(d)) 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 proposed draft ordinance is Attachment A, and the proposed draft Manual is Attachment B. The examples in Attachment C demonstrate the need for clarifying the definition of road to include driveways for the purposes of road naming and addressing.
BUDGET IMPACT: There are no anticipated budget impacts.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Board adopt the proposed Road Naming and Property Numbering Ordinance (Attachment A) and the Resolution (Attachment D) approving the proposed draft Manual (Attachment B).
ATTACHMENTS:
A - Proposed Draft Ordinance
B - Proposed Draft Manual
C - Examples of Driveway Road Name Issue
D - Resolution approving Draft Manual