ordinances

A citizen complaint has led to a complete re-evaluation of Appomattox County's current noise ordinance.  As it exists, the County Attorney believes it to be unenforceable and possibly unconstitutional based on previous rulings by the Virginia Supreme Court.

The current ordinance states the following: "The creation and continuation of any loud, disturbing and unnecessary noise is prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person to cause, make or contribute to creating any loud or disturbing noise of such character, intensity or duration as to be detrimental to the life or health of any individual or such noises as to disturb the quiet and peace of any citizen."

Such noises can be defined noises from pets or vehicles.

Read the full Times-Virginian story...

A week-old ban on public displays at Loudoun County Courthouse has been reversed due to protests from residents, according to the Washington Post.

The ban would have prevented the Nativity scene and Christmas trees that have decorated the courthouse lawn for decades, in efforts to protect the century-old building from any attacks that might fall on the religious holiday decorations.

"Bowing to an outpouring of protests from residents, the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors reversed a week-old rule Tuesday that had banned public displays, including Nativity scenes and Christmas trees, at the county courthouse.

Supervisors voted 7 to 1 to allow community groups 'equal access' to the courthouse grounds. The supervisor who voted to keep the ban, James Burton (I-Blue Ridge), said he feared that extremist groups would turn the century-old courthouse in downtown Leesburg into a 'public circus.'

Dozens of residents carrying signs and wearing Christmas red showed up at a county meeting Monday night to protest the rule, saying that it would ruin the county's holiday parade, set for Dec. 12. A decorated Christmas tree and a Nativity scene have been seasonal fixtures on the courthouse lawn for decades.

More than 1,000 people signed a petition against the policy, and several members of the Leesburg Town Council, including the mayor, voiced opposition to it.

A resident-led county committee that handles issues related to Loudoun grounds and facilities voted unanimously last week to bar any structures, religious or otherwise, from the lawn of the courthouse, citing the increasing number of requests by residents to use it as a public meeting space."

Read the full story.

According to GoDanRiver.com, Danville City Council approve an ordinance that will limit the amount of time a pet can be chained outside, which pets can not be chained oustide, and the proper collars, halters or harnesess required.

The ordinance will go into effect on July 1, 2010.

"Danville City Council unanimously approved an ordinance that will strictly limit the amount of time a pet can be chained outside, effective July 1, 2010.

Chaining will be banned altogether for sick or injured animals, animals under four months of age or when the outside temperature reaches — or falls below — freezing.

When chained outside, animals must have proper collars, halters or harnesses, and it cannot be tethered to a fixed point — the animal will have to be chained to a runner or swivel that will allow it greater movement.

Animals can also be kept in dog lots, or kennels."

Read the full story.

The Daily News Record has reported the much anticipated results from last night's Harrisonburg city council meeting in which council members were to vote on an ordinance to allow chickens on single-family residential properties.

Homeowners should have the right to do pretty much as they desire on their own land. However certain activities, especially in densely populated areas where homes are in relatively close proximity to each other, can contribute to a negative affect on neighboring properties.  There's certainly a place to meet in the middle on this issue. As the Daily News Record reported, many of Harrisonburg's homeowners attended last night's meeting to make their voices heard.

"City Council adopted an ordinance Tuesday to allow chickens on single-family residential properties of at least 2 acres in size.

The council voted 3-2, with Vice Mayor Richard Baugh providing the deciding vote on whether the city would allow chickens.

The council's vote followed a public hearing of about 90 minutes and featured nearly 50 speakers, who split in their views on permitting chickens in the city.

The council's approval is preliminary and needs a second vote to go into effect."

Read full story.

The Daily News Record has been covering Harrisonburg's city council discussions about preventing residents in single-family homes from having backyard chickens. The discussions have, and will likely continue to be, focused on residents desiring an organic lifestyle and residents concerned about property values.

"The City Council on Tuesday set July 28 for a public hearing on the future of chickens in Harrisonburg. The hearing's venue is to be named later. The council will be seeking comment on whether backyard chickens should be allowed with single-family homes and, if so, on two proposals that would determine how the egg-laying hens are to be governed.

The hearing is likely to highlight the debate between residents who are part of a growing organic food movement and want the birds for their eggs and as pets, and others who have concerns about the spread of disease and the impact backyard poultry would have property values."

Read full story.

Also, check out WHSV's account of the council's previous hearing on the issue.