The Lovettsville Town Council on Thursday voted to approve the next stage of planning for two one-way street conversion projects in downtown, following two public hearings on the projects.
The roads being considered for conversion from two to one-way are South Church Street, East Pennsylvania Avenue, South Light Street, and South Loudoun Street. The project would also include sidewalks and bike lanes, add lighting for pedestrians and address drainage issues, Kimley-Horn representative Mark Phillips said.
Residents voiced concerns over the change at the Sept. 28 public hearing and the public hearing Thursday citing detrimental effects to local businesses, increased traffic, and higher speeds.
South Loudoun Street resident Martha Fuqua said she thought the change would create more problems than it would solve. She said she did not want to have sidewalks added or hear the construction right outside her house.
“I don’t want sidewalks,” Fuqua said. “I don’t want you to widen the streets. I don’t want you to change the entire infrastructure of the historical part of Lovettsville. I think it’s going to increase speed.”
Back Street Brews owner Maureen Morris said she was worried about the impact on her businesses and thought the change would turn the town into a “one-way maze.” She said she agreed with Fuqua that it would change the historic nature of that part of Lovettsville.
South Loudoun Street resident Stacey Evans said the change would also affect the limited parking in that part of town by removing the option for out-of-town visitors to park along the street shoulders.
“One of the things I love about Lovettsville is it’s a walking community,” she said. “In front of my house you see people walking all the time from the elementary school up to the town whenever we have events. Having curbs and gutters, I don’t think will really be a help.”
The one-way street conversion is divided into two projects. The first will convert South Church Street, East Pennsylvania Avenue and South Light Street. This project was the topic of the Sept. 28 public hearing. Thursday’s hearing focused on the second project, converting South Locust Street to one way.
Phillips said the changes were designed to improve safety, create a safe walking route and reduce speeds along the roadway.
Town manager Jason Cournoyer said the streets currently did not conform to the Virginia Department of Transportation’s standards because they were too narrow.
Lovettsville Project Manager Charlie Mumaw said each lane was required to be at least 10 feet wide with nine feet wide allowed if they were approved for a special permit. Currently, the total width of the roads is 16.5 feet, he said. Expanding that would result in encroaching on private property, something the town wanted to avoid, Phillips said.
The votes to approve the next stage of design planning for both projects passed 4-0-1-1 with council members Jennifer Reed absent and Bobby Merhaut abstaining due to resigning from the council in the coming weeks.
Council member Brandon Davis said he had gone back and forth on whether or not to approve the projects over the past few weeks but had ultimately decided to vote for it when he considered the town over the next few decades. He said he appreciated all the feedback from residents and that they had helped guide the project going forward.
“It’s not lost on anybody here that it’s not a fun or popular choice, but I don’t think sometimes making the right decision is fun or popular,” he said.
Council member Tom Budnar agreed and asked staff to ensure that the public knew that the council was not making the decision lightly.
Mayor Christopher Hornbaker said the plans to improve the roads in the older part of town had been in the town’s plans for several years and over the course of several councils.
“It’s not just this town council that sees the long term benefit, the need from the past and how it’s going to benefit the future. I do believe it will not adversely affect the historic nature and the historical part of town,” he said.
Council member David Earl assured residents that their concerns would be followed up on even after the project was completed.
571-206-3525
Service Areas
