Gov. Kaine’s Transportation package

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.