Secondary Street Acceptance Requirements (24VAC30-92)

• Connectivity Waivers for Stub Streets: Many development applications require SSAR connectivity waivers where a planned stub street is provided and right-of-way is dedicated but construction cannot reasonably extend fully to the adjoining property line. In many cases, completing construction to the property line would require a temporary construction or maintenance easement from an adjoining property owner over whom the applicant has no control. Requiring a waiver in each such circumstance adds time and expense to the development process.
  • Consideration should be given to allowing stub streets to terminate within a specified distance of the property line where the necessary right-of-way is dedicated and appropriate legal provisions are established to facilitate the future connection. This approach could include reserving or granting the necessary construction rights to enable completion when the adjoining property develops.
  • As an alternative, the regulations could permit the required stub connection to be established through dedicated right-of-way together with funds placed in escrow for future construction. This approach would preserve the planned transportation connection while allowing the interim area to remain as landscaped or open space and eliminating the immediate need to obtain off-site construction easements.
• Multiple Connection Waivers: The criteria for multiple-connection waivers are currently limited and could benefit from additional flexibility. Consideration should be given to allowing waiver requests to account for factors such as locally adopted planning decisions, community considerations, preservation of mature trees or environmentally sensitive areas, site constraints, and other significant locality and public-interest considerations.