Should the town of Vienna prohibit the parking of watercraft, boat trailers, motor homes and camper trailers on public streets? This is the question that was debated — sometimes heatedly — in a public hearing at the Town Council meeting on Monday, Nov. 21.
About 20 citizens spoke at the meeting. Most were RV and trailer owners who had come to oppose the proposal, but a few showed up to voice their support. A number of the supporters were residents of Echols Street, where there has apparently been a large trailer parked on the street for a number of years.
RV owner Larry McClellan asked, "Why is it just camping RVs, boat trailers? Why's it just them?" He said trailers carrying landscaping equipment were allowed to park on the street.
He pointed out that the town already prohibits leaving vehicles parked in one place for more than 48 hours. Shortening that limit, said McClellan, does not leave time "for any maneuvering." He said that in order to use his RV, he has to park it on the street and then pull his truck out and hook it up to the RV, which he presumed would be illegal under the new ordinance.
"I think the police would refer to what the gentleman was talking about as standing, and there is a difference between parking and standing," intervened Town Attorney Steve Briglia, saying the difference depends on the amount of time the vehicle is left unattended.
Town Manager John Schoeberlein pointed out that the overnight parking of landscaping-related vehicles is already prohibited.
"It sounds to me like there are some specific places that are problems. Let's deal with the problem areas and leave the rest of us alone," said McClellan's wife, Katherine, voicing a sentiment that was often repeated throughout the hearing. She also pointed out that when a deck and ramp were being added to their house for her wheelchair, they had had to leave their RV on the street for more than 48 hours.
Julius Marcus said he thought the existing 48-hour rule and prohibitions against parking near intersections were sufficient. "One of the big reasons that I moved to Vienna a number of years ago was because there was no association," he said, prompting applause from several audience members. "I really prefer not to have people telling me what kind of vehicle I can park in front of my house," he concluded.
OTHER SPEAKERS brought up the points that many Hummers and SUVs are wider than many trailers and that with limitations on lot coverage, some residents might not be allowed to expand their driveways in order to house their RVs or trailers.
Those who supported the ordinance spoke primarily of safety and visibility issues.
Nancy Jordan said she thought the ordinance should be broadened to include a wider variety of vehicles. "Road safety and unobstructed views for traffic and pedestrians should be the priority in addressing this proposal," she said. She mentioned that she had seen trailers holding lawn equipment or dirt bikes parked on the street overnight and said she did not think the ordinance should target only recreational vehicles.
However, Briglia later pointed out that the language of the proposed ordinance, including the vehicles targeted, was taken directly from the state legislation that gave local governments the right to limit parking on public streets.
At one point during the hearing, Councilmember Maud Robinson asked Briglia if it would be possible to selectively enforce the ordinance. Briglia responded that it could be enforced in selected geographic areas, but not in selected instances.
At the close of the hearing, Mayor Jane Seeman moved that the council re-address the issue in a work session, saying, "I think we've got some really good comments from people that we probably did not understand all the ramifications."
Robinson remarked that she was beginning to think that the 48-hour rule lacked credibility. "I think it's kind of farcical to say that the 48-hour parking ordinance is generally enforceable except by specific complaints," she said.
Councilmember Mike Polychrones thanked Seeman for her motion, saying, "I am not convinced, based upon the testimony tonight, that there is an overwhelming or overriding issue or problem out there."
The motion was unanimously approved.
In other matters, Mayor Seeman announced that flu shots will be given at Town Hall on Dec. 6 from 9 to 10 a.m., at a cost of $21. Anyone interested should call the Administrative Services Office at 703-255-6350.
The council also set a date of Dec. 5 for a public hearing on a proposed amendment to increase eligibility for real estate tax deferral.