In 2004, Virginia signed into law a bill to limit the ability of local areas to implement restrictive ordinances preventing automobile collectors from pursuing their hobby. Under the law, at least TWO inoperable vehicles (or more, if a locality permits) being actively repaired or restored on private property would be exempted from any local ordinance if shielded or screened from public view. The law defines "shielded or screened from view" as not visible by someone standing at ground level from outside of the property on which the inoperable vehicles are located.
This year, legislation (A.B. 2570) has been introduced to allow the City of Newport News to change the rules of this fairly negotiated compromise. Under the bill, the city can adopt an ordinance prohibiting any person from keeping more than ONE inoperable motor vehicle on private property except within a fully enclosed building. Further, the bill requires that the one vehicle now be shielded from view by the "installation of an opaque fence."
We Urge You to Contact All Members of the House Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns, Subcommittee 1 (List Attached Below) Immediately to Request Their Opposition to A.B. 2570
For those interested in attending the hearing to show your opposition, the subcommittee will meet tomorrow, Wed., Feb. 4 at 7:30 a.m. at the following address:
House Room D, General Assembly Building Richmond, VA
* A.B. 2570 reneges on the fair compromise negotiated in 2004. The current law provides safeguards for hobbyists to maintain and work on valuable collector vehicles on private property; establishes reasonable provisions that vehicles be shielded or screened from public view and demonstrated a real effort by legislators and hobbyists to enact reasonable and fair compromise legislation.
* A.B. 2570 would only apply to Newport News if the bill is enacted, but would likely be applied to other localities in years to come.
* A.B. 2570 ignores the fact that many individuals rely on the ability to repair their own vehicles, as they cannot afford to pay for repairs any other way.
* A.B. 2570 ignores the fact that Virginia is home to thousands of car hobbyists whose families indulge in the past time of classic car restoration. These people take vehicles which were previously unusable and restore them to fine examples of America's automotive heritage. These vehicles are displayed at city and county fairs and festivals across the state as well as charity fundraisers.
* A.B. 2570 ignores the fact that other code sections address the issue of junkyards. In fact, those who do not keep vehicles out of public view will suffer the consequences of fines and confiscation of their vehicles. Owners of junk vehicles that are neighborhood eyesores will continue to be prosecuted.
House Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns, Subcommittee 1
Delegate Anne Crockett-Stark - Chairman
Phone: 804/698-1006
Email: DelACrockett-Stark@house.virginia.gov
Delegate Robert Marshall
Phone: 804/698-1013
Email: DelBMarshall@house.virginia.gov
Delegate Robert Orrock
Phone: 804/698-1054
Email: DelBOrrock@house.virginia.gov
Delegate Salvatore Iaquinto
Phone: 804/698-1084
Email: DelSIaquinto@house.virginia.gov
Delegate Charles Poindexter
Phone: 804/698-1009
Email: DelCPoindexter@house.virginia.gov
Delegate James Massie
Phone: 804/698-1072
Email: DelJMassie@house.virginia.gov
Delegate Franklin Hall
Phone: 804/698-1069
Email: DelFHall@house.virginia.gov
Delegate Charles Caputo
Phone: 804/698-1067
Email: DelCCaputo@house.virginia.gov
Delegate Albert Pollard
Phone: 804/698-1099
Email: DelAPollard@house.virginia.gov
Delegate Delores McQuinn
Phone: 804/698-1070
Email: DelDMcQuinn@house.virginia.gov
Please e-mail a copy of your letters to Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org