Cape Charles Town Council approved a resolution requesting that the Virginia General Assembly grants the town the ability to create an ordinance that would control the types of vehicles allowed to park on town streets.
All watercraft, boat trailers, motor homes, and camping trailers would be forbidden.
The resolution stems from complaints that have been received in the past regarding the storage of watercraft and trailers on the town’s streets.
Town Code § 42-90 addresses this issue currently prohibiting the parking of “travel trailers, coaches, motorized dwellings, tent trailers, boat trailers, amphibious houseboats and the like” on “any public street or public right-of-way for more than 48 hours” but since the Commonwealth of Virginia is a Dillon Rule state, the ordinance cannot be enforced without official authorization by the Virginia General Assembly.
Code of Virginia § 46.2-1222.1 currently authorizes the Counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Hanover, Stafford and Prince William, and the Towns of Blackstone, Clifton, Herndon, Leesburg and Vienna to regulate or prohibit the parking on any public highway “of any or all of the following: i) watercraft; ii) boat trailers; iii) motor homes; and iv) camping trailers.”
The resolution is as follows:
RESOLUTION 20181115
REQUESTING REGULATORY AUTHORITY FROM THE VIRGINIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY FOR THE TOWN OF CAPE CHARLES TO REGULATE PARKING OF CERTAIN VEHICLES ON TOWN STREETS
WHEREAS, the streets in the historic district of the Town of Cape Charles are narrow with parallel parking permitted on both sides; and
WHEREAS, the storage of watercraft and their trailers on the Town’s streets creates a public safety issue with vehicles having to cross the center lines to navigate the streets; and
WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Virginia is a Dillon Rule state where local governments have limited authority and can pass ordinances only in areas where the General Assembly has granted clear authority; and
WHEREAS, Town Code § 42-90 addresses this issue by prohibiting the parking of “travel trailers, coaches, motorized dwellings, tent trailers, boat trailers, amphibious houseboats and the like” on “any public street or public right-of-way for more than 48 hours,” it cannot be enforced without the Town being granted the authority to do so; and
WHEREAS, Code of Virginia § 46.2-1222.1 currently authorizes the Counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Hanover, Stafford and Prince William, and the Towns of Blackstone, Clifton, Herndon, Leesburg and Vienna to regulate or prohibit the parking on any public highway “of any or all of the following: i)watercraft; ii) boat trailers; iii) motor homes; and iv) camping trailers;”
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Council of the Town of Cape Charles requests the Virginia General Assembly grant clear authority to the Town of Cape Charles to regulate or prohibit the parking of certain vehicles on the Town’s streets to ensure the safety of the Town’s residents
and visitors.
Adopted by the Town Council of Cape Charles on this 15th day of November 2018.
Abe P. Knob says
November 18, 2018 at 1:47 pmTheirs a reason we have driveways, backyards, and boatyards in this town. Half or more boats parked on the streets never even seem to see the water. #ENFORCE
David Cowan says
November 18, 2018 at 2:42 pmThis ordinance would appear to allow for the parking of construction, utility, and motorcycle trailers, while banning the boat trailers, etc., from the streets.
Would it not make more sense to ban all trailers over a certain width from the streets?
In addition, some of the streets are wider than others, and trailers more of an issue on these narrower streets. Couldn’t the ordinance be more specific as to where the trailers are parked?
David Gay says
November 18, 2018 at 4:32 pmHas there been a public hearing on this motion?
RICHARD M LEAL says
November 20, 2018 at 3:17 pmThe Town of Cape Charles is lucky to have three Marine Facilities even one with a Boat Lift and Lots of storage space for Boats of all sizes .As for RV Campers & Trailers Again on Stone Road we have perfect storage facility At a reasonable Price it secure 24 /7 IF YOU CANT AFFORD THE COST YOU THEN CANT AFFORD TO OWN ANY OF THE ABOVE SIMPLE !!!! People are to Lazy to walk to these Facilities Yet they want a walking trail costing 5 million dollars to Food Lyon .come on Guys let s get REAL
David Gay says
November 21, 2018 at 7:59 pmSo Richard you can afford to pay higher taxes so why doesn’t the Town raise yours. If you don’t like it then you don’t need to live here. Same logic you are proposing on boat owners who park on the street. Makes no sense. Why make Cape Charles more inhospitable? Site one accident that has occurred due to boats on the street?
Richard M Leal says
November 22, 2018 at 5:11 pmI do not remember my making any Mention of raising tax on Boat or Trailers I can only assume that you wish to live in A RED NECK Comm
unity Be my Guest
Mike Kuzma, Jr. says
November 20, 2018 at 6:25 pmThe people who want the bike and walking paths are the same people who want to ban boats.
But heck , I say go for it!!! Make Cape Chuck as UNappealing as possible to as many groups as possible and then!!! VOILA!!!!
Economic success!!!!
Or the opposite.
tokenny says
November 21, 2018 at 1:57 pmMike, that is an interesting fact. Did you take a poll or just make that up?
Richard M Leal says
November 22, 2018 at 5:25 pmTo Kenny did you did you mean take a Pill not a Poll
Mike Kuzma, Jr. says
November 27, 2018 at 2:05 pmBuwahahahahahahahaha!!! You two so funny!!!!
See, what I did was go and look at WHO supported the bike paths, and then looked at who supported THIS effort and saw that there were the same names. Pretty simple.
And tokenny did you ever hear of punctuation it really helps you To not look Ignorant especially if you capitalize words that do not Require it
I realize that is beyond you two, but really try using your heads sometimes. I know, I know, all you needs down in Cape Chuck is your beer, buds and beach, I’ve heard it down there a lot.
Enjoy the stench of the Town’s sewers backing up as you pedal through the feces!!!!!
And as ever, SmellFeces Navidad!!!!!
Abe P. Knob says
November 27, 2018 at 3:33 pmGo proofread what you typed up. I really think you should go back and take elementary English. For someone talking about someone’s punctuation and capitalization, you sure are quite stupid.
Mike Kuzma, Jr. says
November 27, 2018 at 8:28 pmPKnob, you can’t see that I was mocking tokenny, can you?
Sheeeesh. Great schools ya got there. I bet e e cummings is lost on you as well? And do you get the joke there? I doubt it……….
Margot Gorske says
November 22, 2018 at 6:06 pmI agree with restricting parking on streets to cars, golf carts, and short term construction vehicles while working on a site. Less danger of children not being seen, less danger of cars trying to pass with a street lined with boats, and more room for bicyclists to move to the curb when being passed by cars. This will also show off our lovely historical streets, homes, and gardens without the view obstructed by all manner of motorized vehicle. Store your boat, RV, or jetski in proper areas and not line the streets with them.
Rob Headley says
November 22, 2018 at 10:12 pmMay I suggest a reasonably priced yearly permit to park a boat on the street. Hey, another source of income for the town
David Gay says
November 25, 2018 at 2:17 pmLooks like a lot of differing opinions on this issue. When will the town hold a public hearing before imposing a ban on boats?
Madam X says
November 27, 2018 at 8:13 pmAll will be worked out and we will adjust. BUT one thing I wish for is for all to stop calling this dear town “Cape Chuck”
Mike Kuzma, Jr. says
November 28, 2018 at 2:52 pmIt’s said with love, not disdain.