City won’t support road proposal

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine’s plan to increase car sales taxes and fees to pay for road improvements got a thumbs-down Monday from the Waynesboro City Council’s conservative faction.
“I’m not going to accept that [plan] because six-and-a-half years ago, the state had huge surpluses,” Councilman Tim Williams said. “They spent all that money, are in debt now, but still haven’t addressed transportation needs. I think all levels of government need to exercise budgetary restraint.”
Kaine has called the General Assembly back into session June 23 to tackle a $1 billion transportation funding deficit. The governor has proposed, among other things, increasing vehicle sales taxes and registration fees to cover road and bridge projects, many in badly congested Northern Virginia. Republicans have said they will oppose Kaine’s initiative.
Councilwoman Lorie Smith said the plan merited a closer look.
“I would just say I do think, conversely with [Councilman Frank] Lucente, that it is our responsibility on the local level to represent our constituency and to mirror what our constituency is feeling and what their needs are through the state legislature,” Smith said. “It is an important part of the legislature, so I do feel it is important for us to look at the resolution.”
A public hearing also was held Monday on the city’s land-use and comprehensive plans. A move to consider exempting the Wayne Theatre Alliance from real estate and personal property taxes was tabled.
The comprehensive plan focuses on, among other things, downtown revitalization, investing in Basic City, transportation improvements, new parks and greenway areas, promoting the city’s history and culture, and preserving historic buildings.
The city is in contract talks with Duncan and Associates to rewrite the city’s zoning ordinance but have not yet awarded a contract, City Planner D. James Shaw II said.
Shaw said the land-use plan now is in the hands of the City Council.
“So, by their next meeting, we have to get a sense as to their pleasure,” Shaw said, “whether they want to amend the plan and adopt it – and prepare an ordinance for their consideration. They would have to give us direction as to any changes that they might want to make to the plan or they could adopt it as it is recommended to them.”