Despite safety concerns, Town granted EDA project road exceptions

Last November, the Front Royal-Warren County Economic Development Authority road exception request for its workforce housing project was made to allow extension of the access street, Royal Lane, beyond the 800-foot maximum for a dead-end street.  The EDA will also not be required by the Town of Front Royal to extend Royal Lane to a second entry-exit point on Remount Road (Route 522 South), eliminating the necessity of the dead-end road exceptions.

The view down Royal Lane from the dead end at edge of workforce housing parcel that was originally gifted to the EDA. Photos/Roger Bianchini

Prior to that final November 14 vote authorizing the road exceptions, four residents of Royal Lane, Charles and Sharon Jackson, Clarence Tanks and Theresa Norman, spoke in opposition to the exception.  They cited safety concerns at what they said was an already dangerous intersection of Royal Lane with John Marshall Highway (Route 55 East) as it enters town.

One of those residents, Charles Jackson, wondered at the balance between need and danger.  As we reported at the time, he told council, “My concern is for the safety of those who are there now.  Is there a demand for this type of housing or is it just to line someone’s pockets?”

Since that question was posed there has been one pedestrian fatality on the 800 block of John Marshall Highway, within a block of Royal Lane.  Royal Lane lies near the point John Marshall Highway (Route 55 East) goes from two lanes to five entering Front Royal.

Single-family homes on Royal Lane.

At the time of the approval, Councilwoman Bébhinn Egger said she thought council was “putting the cart before the horse” in facilitating additional residential units before requiring road improvements that even those supporting the request admitted would eventually be needed.

There are currently 99 exiting residential units along Royal Lane, 9 single family homes and 90 apartments.  There are also three commercial buildings, including a daycare center and medical building along Royal Lane.

Apartments on Royal Lane

Despite the neighborhood concerns and Egger’s comments, on November 14, 2016 the special exception was granted final approval by the Front Royal Town Council by a 5-1 margin, with only Egger dissenting.

Read the related story here.