Planning Officials Could be Allowed to Search Homes Without Owners' Permission

The Manassas Park Planning Comission held its monthly meeting at city hall Monday night.  On the agenda were several suggested changes to city zoning code. The board members spent time reviewing the affected codes and discussing the impact on the city.

First up was a change to a city code that would allow Manassas Park Planning Director Vanessa Watson to apply for a warrant to check inside or around a residence for code violations.

“Currently, I can only go to the door of a residence, not inside the home without the owner’s consent,” Watson said. “I can document zoning violations from the street, but I am not allowed to walk around the outside of the residence.”

By rewriting section 31-44 of the zoning laws, Watson would be allowed to appear before a magistrate and make a case for a warrant, allowing her or a board agent to go inside a home without the owner’s permission. Right now, zoning violators within the city are called or sent a letter.  Watson said most of the time people comply with the codes once they realize that they are in violation.

“A lot of what I do is public education; usually people are willing to fix the problem once it is recognized,” said Watson.  “Getting a warrant is a last ditch effort when communication cannot be established any other way.”

Next on the agenda was a proposed change to the application process for land use.  In the future, land use applicants would be required to show proof of paid real estate taxes on all parcels of land before the permitting process begins.

“So this applies to any property the person owns, not just the one in question?” Manassas Park Planning Commissioner Bryan Polk said.

Board members unanimously agreed that the legislation applies to any parcels owned by an applicant and the board voted to change the law.

Finally, the board discussed notice requirements for public hearings. In Manassas Park, when an application is made for a permit that requires a public hearing, the board posts two newspaper ads, mails certified letters and places signs around the city in specified locations 15 days prior to the meeting as is mandated in the state of Virginia. The change to the city codes moves the notification responsibility to the applicant.

“The city would not be blamed for a missed notification and it reduces work for zoning office staff,” said  Manassas Park City Attorney Dean Crowhurst. “It saves the city time and money.”

All of the amendments to the city zoning codes passed. Next month’s agenda will include: Site plans for two new bus shelters and site plans for Manassas Park Station phase II.