Bacon’s Rebellion has a great summary. Notably:
Subdivision streets. One proposal, bearing similarities to a bill introduced by the House of Delegates, would tighten criteria for accepting subdivision streets into the state highway system. Provisions would ensure that roads are well built and, where appropriate, properly integrated with adjacent development before the state accepts the responsibility to maintain them.
Note the changes to this bill introduced by Del. Bob Marshall:
B. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, any local ordinance, or any provision of Title 15.2 (§ 15.2-100 et seq.), on and after January 1, 2008, no street or road or any portion thereof in any county shall be taken into the state secondary highway system for maintenance purposes unless it is within an area under the control of a homeowners association. However, nothing in this subsection shall be construed as requiring or permitting the levying of any fee, charge, or assessment, however denominated, by any homeowners association on any member of the association for the purpose of maintaining, repairing, constructing, or reconstructing any street or road or portion thereof. The county in which they are located shall be responsible for streets and roads not taken into the state secondary highway system.
Pay attention, folks – 6 days until the General Assembly reconvenes! The decisions made here (or perhaps, not made due to politics-as-usual) potentially impact everybody’s property values in the Charlottesville region. Transportation and taxes are essentially quality-of-life issues, and Central Virginia’s historically high quality of life makes the real estate market here a desirable destination.
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In the other states I’ve lived Home owners associations were always responsible for the cost of the maintenance of the streets within their boundaries.
Doesn’t this part-
Defeat the purpose of this part-
I don’t get it. What’s the benefit of HOA v. No HOA?
My understanding is that currently HOAs maintain private roads and alleys, but public roads within a subdivision which are built to VDOT standards are approved and accepted into the secondary road system, and are not maintained by the HOA.
“Maintenance” generally would include snow plowing and eventual repair/replacement.
Here is another bill dealing with secondary roads.
Betty – my understanding is that the subdivision roads may remain under the control of the HOAs rather than being turned over to the State.
TrvlMn – I agree that they seem to conflict and I don’t have an explanation …
The intent seems to be that the State will not be responsible for roads that they don’t necessarily approve of and the onus will remain on the homeowners/developers to pay for the roads they build and use.
Thanks. I can definitely get behind that intent. It’s putting the cost and responsibility back on the people creating the infrastructure demands. Something the local county Board of Supervisors seem unable or unwilling to do.