Planning Commission Discusses Census Data, Work on Sidewalks

Manassas Park  is now home to more than 14,000 people, almost 40 percent more residents than a decade ago.

The most recent U.S. Census data was discussed Monday durng the regular meeting of the Manassas Park Planning Commission.

Manassas ParManassas Park City Planner Vanessa Watson spoke about the population. She said that based on the 2010 Census there were 14,273 residents in Manassas Park. This was a 38.7 percent increase from the 2000 Census. She did not want to discuss the demographics because the Census has not released that information yet, however she said she would discuss it at the next meeting. She added at while nothing was definite yet, voting precincts withing the city would not change because of the population's growth. However she said population increases in Prince William County might change Manassas Park's state and national representative districts.k City Planner Vanessa Watson spoke about the population. She said that based on the 2010 Census there were 14,273 residents in Manassas Park. This was a 38.7 percent increase from the 2000 Census. She did not want to discuss the demographics because the Census has not released that information yet, however she said she would discuss it at the next meeting. She added at while nothing was definite yet, voting precincts withing the city would not change because of the population's growth. However she said population increases in Prince William County might change Manassas Park's state and national representative districts.

Several Capitol Improvement Programs were discussed at Monday's planning commission meeting.  Manassas Park Public Works Director James Johnson asked that the the funds mentioned on the Capitol Improvements Program (CIP) for 2012-2017 for the installation of solar path lighting be taken off, as the work must be completed by this June and cannot be considered. Johnson also asked that the Storm Water Management plan not be considered in the CIP because it gets funding from a separate enterprise fund.

Johnson said that public works is continuously working hard to add new sidewalks as well as to repair and maintain existing sidewalks. He said that they are aware of the bad condition of the sidewalks by the high school and they are working to correct it, however it must go through an inspection process before any work can be done.

Johnson also spoke about the conditions of the city's streets. He said that he would be attending a meeting with Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Tuesday to discuss signal timing, as there have been a lot of complaints not only from Manassas Park residents, but from some of the surrounding communities as well. Manassas Park Planning Commissioner Chairman Ed Rishell Jr.  asked when some of the damaged roads in the city would be fixed. Johnson assured the board that the department was well aware of the problems and that roads would be repaired after scheduled work on the waterlines and meters were complete. After the work is completed and the weather breaks, Johnson said that the department would request additional funding to fix the streets.

At the next meeting the CIP recommendations will be presented to the Manassas Park governing body and a public hearing will be held. It is scheduled for March 7.