More sidewalks for county?

By MELINA DOWNS
For the Stafford County Sun
Published: June 12, 2008

STAFFORD — Stafford County may have a number of new sidewalks in its future following the planning commission’s regular meeting where it passed a recommendation to amend a subdivision ordinance.

Currently, the subdivision ordinance in question bases the need for curb, gutter and sidewalk requirements on lot size. According to commission staff, the ordinance doesn’t require a sidewalk to be built on both sides of a road or to connect within subdivisions. The result has been areas of sidewalk missing between neighborhoods and within subdivisions.

The amendment will require curbs, gutters and sidewalks to be built within the right of way of all streets and within cluster subdivisions, except for low-impact development subdivisions.

The amendment will not apply to existing subdivisions. The commission also approved a recommendation to the Stafford County Board of Supervisors to require properties with a Critical Resource Protection Area buffer to have posted notification signs along the edge of the buffer to identify the limits.

“[This amendment guarantees] adjacent property owners have fuller notification and creates a better process,” said Griffis-Widewater Commissioner Cecelia Kirkman. “In the past county residents have not had notice; this is making sure people understand.”

Each of the recommended approvals will go before the board of supervisors for permanent decisions.

Melina Downs is a contributing writer at the Stafford County Sun. Reach her at .