The documents available for viewing in the Archived Town Council Work Session 01//18/22 Agenda include the Apr. 26, 2021 - MEMO from Lesa J. Yeatts, Town Attorney to Bill Ashton, Town Manager, and the Jan. 18, 2022  Chapter 42 Ordinance FINAL - STAFF REPORT prepared and approved by Maggie A. DeBoard, Chief of Police and Yeatts. 

The Apr. 26, 2021 - MEMO  by Yeatts notes how the town initially worked on proposed amendments with the Council approving some of them until the COVID-19 shutdowns began and "priorities shifted town-wide." In the memo, Yeatts wrote," HPD staff and Town Attorney's office have now identified a comprehensive  set of proposed Town Code amendments that they plan to bring forward for Town Council approval." 

In the memo Yeatts named issues including "vehicles with out of state license plates routinely parking on residential streets; vehicles blocking curb ramps, vehicles parking too close to driveways and obstructing vision; vehicles parking too close to intersections and obstructing vision; oversized commercial vehicles parked on streets, motor homes parked on streets and vehicles parked on town streets without moving for long periods of time."

It had become evident that certain sections of the town's parking code needed to be revised to resolve inconsistencies between its ordinances and those of the two adjoining counties, Fairfax and Loudoun.

On town streets, both residents and non-residents use the streets to park vehicles that are illegal to park elsewhere. There are many long-term parking spots, apparently abandoned vehicles, and commercial trucks that are illegal to park as such in the surrounding jurisdictions. Councilmember Sean Regan brought the issue to the forefront again as a strategic planning meeting item on Dec. 2, 2021.

The recommended amendments will make the town's parking codes more consistent with Fairfax and Loudoun counties. Sections 42.1(b) amends and clarifies the definition of a commercial vehicle and defines a utility trailer. Parking in front of or within ten feet of a driveway is prohibited under 42-152(b); 42-152(b) bans parking so that curb ramps cannot be used. 42-160 adds and forbids recreational vehicles parking in residential zones, and Article V amendments address the definition of an abandoned or disabled motor vehicle, its removal processes, and fine payment. No fiscal impacts are identified.

Anne Curtis, chief communications officer for the Town of Herndon, provided comments from the public, redacting addresses regarding Ordinance 22-O-03:

* "It sounds like you don't want any trucks, RVs, or boats parked in residential areas. The proposed legislation does not sound very equitable as it seems to target minority groups trying to operate a small business … Reston Association provided a lot for residents to park RVs and boats. Perhaps Herndon could do the same." Lisbeth Chandler- Sent to the Town Clerk Jan. 19, 2022 

* "I believe this proposal is a good example of looking over the horizon for issue(s) that may at times affect some neighborhoods more than others in the town but in reality, affect all the town residents." Barry Clendenin, Sent to the Town Clerk Jan. 18, 2022

* "It will not be feasible to mark ten feet to either side of each public or private driveway in the Town, and a 10-foot distance is not obvious to everyone…" Warning tickets" instead of actual "$50-dollar fine" tickets (should) be considered for use for some period of time after enactment of the ordinance."-Timothy Kendall, Sent to the Town Clerk Jan. 17, 2022

* "We have a smart Town attorney; let's use her. And we have a well-respected Chief of Police that knows County regulations well and who has also provided sound advice to Town leadership."-Ellen and John Findley, Sent to Town Clerk Jan. 18. 2022

* "Several neighbors and I have been filing weekly complaints with the Herndon Police Department and the town parking enforcement official since August 2021 about several large commercial trucks that regularly park on Carolina and Missouri avenues … The drivers leave trash and debris, and trucks leak oil in the roadway." Pat Voltmer, Comment from the Audience Jan. 11, 2022

* "I would ask that Council take up the proposals made by Chief DeBoard as a high priority item so that we can implement appropriate and uniform parking policies throughout our town. "Stevan Porter, Comment from the Audience, Jan. 11, 2022.