The zoning initiative is like the energizer bunny, baby. It won’t die. A very slightly modified version of the initiative unanimously passed the Land Use (Me, Randolph and Way) committee tonight.
Mr. Way requested that we add some language defining proactive enforcement and also a requirement for reporting resources used in the future. Seemed like a good idea – he’s a smart guy and I’m happy to do it as it puts some teeth back in the initiative. It should be back in front of the council in 2 weeks. Show up if you support it!
Revised Text adds a definition of proactive enforcement and an additional reporting requirement. Changes in italic::
#2 Implement a staff effort to achieve proactive code enforcement, meaning that city employees who encounter apparent code violations during the course of their normal duties are encouraged to report them and/or initiate corrective action within their assigned responsibilities, even in the absence of a citizen’s complaint.
Reporting Clause is modified by adding: …including an assessment of whether these initiatives can be effectively managed within existing personnel and budgetary resources.
The changes are meaningful and I thank Councilman Way for working with me.
March 1, 2007 at 11:08 pm
What pray tell, was the compulsory ‘Way-speak’ used in the resuscitation of the defanged resolution? Perhaps you’ll see fit to repost the revised text in it’s entirety?
March 2, 2007 at 6:08 am
Andy,
I am glad that a “slightly modified version” will move forward, but I would also like to see the revised language. That said, in politics you often have to settle for “most”, when you’d rather have “all”. I’ll be there to support it.
March 2, 2007 at 7:44 am
Andy
Thanks for your dilligence and continued efforts! Civic pride seems to be an old fashioned thing of the past. The continued blatent disregard for public ordinances is an insult. I am not an advocate of big government, but unfortunately government has to step in and enforce what seem like common sense rules. I fear what could happen if we continue to ignore enforcement.
March 2, 2007 at 8:26 am
Updated the front page with changes to the resolution.
March 2, 2007 at 1:41 pm
Andy,
I seem to remember Liz Via stating (at a council meeting) that her staff was going to start being proactive, like stated in your resolution. This was even before you proposed this. What happened to that?
Keep up the good work!
March 2, 2007 at 1:48 pm
Perhaps we were all a bit hard on Mr. Way. Being thoughtful is not the same thing as being timid.
March 2, 2007 at 2:35 pm
It is for the common good and sound governing practice to put zoning enforcment into the ‘top-5’ priorities for the City of Manassas. Thank you Andy for leading the charge on this one. Perhaps Mr. Way will want to investigate into the community-based complaint records and see how many of these were actually taken care of. Then decide it is necessary to have the appropriate # of inspectors hired to get the job done. And just how do we pay for this? Well, the highest-payed city employees may volunteer to take a pass on a pay raise and perhaps the police department may want to kick in a portion of the $690,000 Title I funding to support the quality of life for us all! That would be equitable and noble.
March 10, 2007 at 4:57 pm
Andy,
Who was responsible for the approval of the plans for the new dance studio on Cockrell Road? It appears to be a doublewide trailer! Shouldn’t the responsible City employee be looking for a new job???
March 13, 2007 at 7:02 am
So what night will it actually show up at the council.
And if this version can accomplish the goal of not getting the City sued then I will be surprised.
It would be nice if the county had a “set” and could push forward on something like this.