The primary purpose of this ordinance is to create a new access option for certain subdivisions. If approved, the shared private access option would exempt lots in certain subdivisions from the requirement that lots have frontage on a public right of way, and instead allow the lots to be accessed via private shared access located in a private easement.  Private shared access ways would be maintained solely by the homeowners. 

In August, 2015, the Assembly directed staff to codify the existing practice of allowing shared access. Since then, Community Development staff has been working with the Subdivision Review Committee, a subcommittee of the Planning Commission, the Public Works and Engineering Department, the Fire Department, the Law Department, and the Planning Commission to develop the proposed changes.

On October 25, 2016, the Planning Commission approved moving the ordinance to the Assembly for its consideration. 

This ordinance was introduced at the November 7, 2016, Assembly meeting and referred to the November 21, 2016, Committee of the Whole meeting. At that meeting, it was referred to the January 9, 2017, Committee of the Whole and was continued for additional consideration to the January 30, 2017, meeting.  On January 30th, the Assembly and Planning Commission, at a joint meeting, discussed the ordinance. No date for a public hearing and Assembly action has been set.

The ”strikethrough” version of 2016-26 included in your packet shows the changes (in italics) made by the Planning Commission at its last Commission meeting from the version of the ordinance as it was originally presented.