Planning Commission Wants to Use Signs to Make City a Destination

The Manassas Park Planning Commission on Monday discussed using signs to entice some of the many people who pass through the city each day to stop and make Manassas Park their destination.

Planning and Zoning Director Vanessa Watson said that she would like to incorporate way-finder signs on existing street signs to let people traveling through the city know where different attractions are. “Most of the traffic [traveling through the city] is through traffic,” she said. “We want people to think of Manassas Park as a destination.”

Watson told the commission that there used to be plans on the books to create walking trails throughout the city and that she would like to resurrect the idea. She said that the trails should go through parks and recreational areas and also connect to other jurisdictions.

Planning Commission Chairman Edmond Rishell explained to the members that some neighboring jurisdiction participation would be required.

Watson added that the Virginia Department of Transportation would also need to be involved.

Commissioner Julia Cline said that the trails should be connected to commercial areas as well. She added that there should be better walkways and crossings close to places with busy traffic. “It's scary seeing mothers running across streets with strollers,” Cline said.

Watson said she would like to see additional safety measures along Signal View Drive by Signal Bay Waterpark. “There only has to be one accident to make everyone sorry,” Watson said. Then, everyone will wonder what could have been done to prevent it, she added.

Another topic of discussion at Monday night's planning commission work session was an update to a land use chapter of City's comprehensive plan.

Currently, the city of Manassas Park is under an agreement with Prince William County to not change any of its pre-existing zones until 2014.  Watson said the city wants to have a plan in place for when the agreement ends.

Whenever Manassas or Prince William County want to change their land usage or zoning plans, they always send Manassas Park a copy to get opinions and comments, Watson said. 

Cline suggested that Manassas Park enter into an inter-jurisdictional agreement with Manassas and the county to make zones along shared areas more compatible. The rest of the commission agreed that it would be a good idea.

Watson told the commission that they needed to develop a working comprehensive plan in preparation for a public hearing slated for January.

She said that they would take their plan to the Manassas Park Governing Body, who would, in turn, hold a public hearing on it in February.

The planning commission also needs to come up with some design guidelines for developing offices close to City Center, Watson said Monday. 

It would be better for the city to come up with its own ideas than to get stuck with something a designer or developer wants, Watson said.

In preparation for the meeting, Watson said they would advertise by placing signs along main intersections where zoning changes will occur and place reminders on TV.

The Commission also discussed City Center and the Four Corners zoning boundaries. Currently, City Center stretches from Manassas Drive to the West side of Railroad Drive. They agreed that tentatively it should be extended down Manassas Drive and stop at the Yappie Cuttery property line. The tentative district would not include the Fairfax Academy.

 The Four Corners business district would go from the eastern side of Scott Drive and extend to Route 28, stopping at the corner by the city's water tower.

After the commission discussed zoning, , which is against city ordinances. It is a growing problem, she said. 

“It's been my experience that 98 percent of the time, you just need to educate the public,” Watson said.

The city would send out letters with the water bill, in both English and Spanish, alerting residents to proper housing codes. Rishell said that they should probably be sent out at least twice, as non-residential property owners would probably not receive them.