RICHMOND, Va. – A Richmond City Council member has introduced a measure to ban indoor furniture from being outside.
The measure is sponsored by Council Member Parker Agelasto, 5th District, said it is mainly aimed at reducing the amount of abandoned furniture left in alleys. The disposal of such “hang out” couches taxes the city, creates obstacles and safety hazards.
Agelasto said it is also meant to address the city's Bed bug problem.
"I don't remember how it got here," Richmonder Andrew Carter said, commenting on the black leather couch outside his abode.
"It's better than buying porch furniture,’ he said with a chuckle.
The freedom for city citizens to put any type of furniture anywhere they want could soon change.
In the Museum District, resident Mara Winters said she supports the proposal if it's meant to clean up the alleys near her home.
"This furniture has been out here a while; I know that couch has been out here more than a month," Winters said.
"You need to give us an option for where to drop off; myself I wouldn't know where to drop off a couch," Winters added.
City paperwork suggests the administration supports the measure, and that it is modeled after a similar measure in Henrico.
Richmond City Council votes on the measure next month.
