Is A Parking Garage in Front Royal’s Future? Town Council Discusses Prospective Parking Study

Nothing is set in cement yet. But at a June 1 work session, the mayor entertained discussion of a potential parking garage to relieve downtown congestion. This exchange occurred as Purchasing Manager Michelle Campbell presented the expense for a parking study on the Town’s horizon. Multiple levels of Town government chimed in as what could have been a footnote to a housekeeping measure grew into something larger. Planning Director Lauren Kopishke affirmed the study’s importance and that it will be conducted in stages. Town Manager Joseph Petty spoke in tandem with Kopishke, likewise affirming that this issue has many moving parts.

In the absence of Bruce Rappaport and Wayne Sealock, the Town Council met for a work session on June 1. Royal Examiner Photo Credits: Brenden McHugh

As Petty made clear, a potential parking garage is just one part. He is seriously considering options to relieve congestion, including, but not limited to, paid parking and time limits. Everyone always seems to find a place to park, but considering Front Royal’s ongoing evolution, one would not want to take luck for granted. One of the concerns on his radar is: “What is the future of the courthouse?” Always a hub of activity, the development of that County building may strain the Town’s parking capacity if proactive measures are not taken. Thus, détente between Town and County is required on this issue.

Purchasing Manager Michelle Campbell presented two housekeeping items for the June 22 consent agenda.

And if a parking garage did come into play, it would likely have two paid levels open to the public, and a third, top level for Town and County personnel, covered by a yearly fee. Also at the work session, Kopishke presented highlights from an overhaul of the subdivision ordinance, which has been underway over several years with assistance from a consultant, with the goal of aligning the ordinance with state code. This includes but is not limited to an instance where state code has transferred a specific task to an administrative framework, that being final plat approval, which would no longer be processed through the planning commission, but would rather be handled by staff, provided the new subdivision ordinance is approved by the council.

Planning Director Lauren Kopishke presented highlights from an overhaul of the subdivision ordinance.

Having taken action to renew an encroachment license and reappointing Kopishke as the non-elected representative to the Northern Shenandoah Valley Regional Commission, the council transitioned into a closed meeting after finishing its open business in forty-five minutes.

Royal Examiner will post the video when made available.