[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6115116,"mediaKeyId","2739873-acbb6b8781f61a6771a9411a377071a3","parentId",2739873,"title","City adopts cottage-housing ordinance to enable small-lot clustered homes","audioSeconds",1035,"startMs",8213000,"endMs",9248000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2739873-acbb6b8781f61a6771a9411a377071a3&start=8213&end=9248","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2739873-acbb6b8781f61a6771a9411a377071a3/thumbnail_8213000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6115116/Lexington/Rockbridge-County/Virginia/City-adopts-cottage-housing-ordinance-to-enable-small-lot-clustered-homes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115116-856e0fd16fa04c4d25a0b822837a59fc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771095253&Signature=Y-Hf5N7csy9tCMVvTdGNMuCcuamrGzkekAxAuYVpba1XZS2HLwQ0zK1JOP1A2oD7GQZd63Weg~fdaqCHSIBz~ILSzru0qdSQOb3UXyDE7eFNVxg98BYhTFwYDFfS1WseqbHwXl23lcsABQ~zmKk5mJxuZmX6WhzJlXvRHBZ25kHESfYSfWR~ElyW~3BKvJ80e31b2ey0Kh~pbAYSXGRhJaZIt2Z2nPxNQkIJ~x70oHfZ6HQl5xJcKQVTZDC3s3KH-CXxOClVNIgBGPhLsc1tQ~oWvrXoP4dcUS7IX~PMaiztURqIhyQfKNihamveoo39uNY8tahp2juD9k9-qRZK6w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Lexington","date","2025-03-21T14:21:29Z","article","Lexington — The City Council unanimously adopted a zoning ordinance amendment March 20 allowing cottage housing developments, a zoning tool that permits clusters of smaller detached units around shared open space and consolidated parking.

Planning Director Arnie Glaser described cottage housing as “a nontraditional zoning tool characterized by increased density, smaller units, shared common areas, corralled cars, and layered public and private spaces that foster a sense of community.” The council packet included example diagrams and draft design standards developed over roughly a year of Planning Commission work.

Under the ordinance, cottage units are limited in size and the draft includes a maximum of three bedrooms per cottage; parking is calculated on an aggregate basis similar to multifamily standards (for example, 1.25 spaces per one-bedroom unit in the city's multifamily parking formula). The draft also anticipates a homeowners association to manage shared open areas and site maintenance.

Council and planning-commission members said the ordinance is designed as an optional tool, applied via conditional use permit, and not appropriate for every location. Planning Commission materials and staff noted cottage housing can be suitable for first-time buyers or downsizing residents and that at least one property owner had explored the option during the drafting process.

The council’s motion approved the zoning ordinance amendments (Ordinance 2025-02 and related zoning text changes) with a unanimous roll call vote: Mr. Betts, Mr. Ziegler, Mr. Driscoll, Mr. Strawn, Mr. Smith and Miss Alexander all voted aye.

Ending: The ordinance provides a new locally tailored option for increased housing density and a regulatory pathway (CUP and design standards) for developers to propose clustered cottage developments; staff and Planning Commission will continue outreach to potential developers.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lexington City Council: March 20, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council unanimously adopted an amendment allowing cottage housing developments—clusters of smaller homes with shared open space—intended to increase site density and provide more housing choices.","taxTitle","Lexington, Rockbridge County, Virginia","taxId",56190,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6115121,"Council approves Grand Building conditional-use permit for university administrative use after heated public comment",4676,3534000,8210000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2739873-acbb6b8781f61a6771a9411a377071a3&start=3534&end=8210","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2739873-acbb6b8781f61a6771a9411a377071a3/thumbnail_3534000.jpg","/articles/6115121/Lexington/Rockbridge-County/Virginia/Council-approves-Grand-Building-conditional-use-permit-for-university-administrative-use-after-heated-public-comment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115121-5eb7396cb82c35f9b23d065772513eb9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771095253&Signature=IVMPsd2oOVqpfpoeKoMKZ6dF8Mgz2DJbmdGy0Y22CE5MxOyoFw2XZBMt~BMrCS6shSiBmJmwIMIpElORV8WD4QvWAAXGHXwjIfgPT5DqH5s--59qfpWhoo07Td-5Gj3ioLyiKZnF4cefxes3uX7J4JanmTooHzJMUeZpPYa2r0Q3whmnbhd3kplyoJw~WG0XNklEbfih6z4vDy8TmLDwC0w1J4zPIIsce5znX58lDWahLi3U2U1fzKt-6RLK2Z159qg5MU4LJLJxZbiPJEZ0m8Oe3UTm7a7rr-Plz9j-pjypVUmd32wj9qzCPMP72uv9lWc13QtYm1-QrAAVdexuXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lexington — The Lexington City Council voted unanimously March 20 to approve a conditional-use permit allowing portions of the Grand (formerly Grama) Building at 1–9 South Main Street to be used for administrative facilities related to an educational facility, college or university use, with conditions recommended by staff and the Planning Commission.

The applicant, John Adamson, explained the proposal involves basement-level space below Main Street storefronts and a space behind the storefronts and above a prospective Washington Street storefront. Adamson said the work will update and modernize storefronts along Main and add a new retail storefront on Washington Street while using rear and below-grade spaces for administrative or support functions. \"We are updating storefront spaces in the former Grama Building, appropriately sized with all new modern life safety, fully sprinkled, fully accessible,\" Adamson said.

The two staff-recommended conditions restrict the administrative use to specific areas (basement level below Main Street storefronts and the portion behind Main Street storefronts above Washington Street storefront) and exclude the Main and Washington Street storefronts from the CUP. The Planning Commission added a third recommended condition: the CUP shall remain in effect only as long as the property remains on the tax rolls.

The public hearing drew multiple speakers. Resident Michael Perry criticized council members’ participation and argued renting space to a nonprofit university reduced taxable activity. \"That's a bunch of malarkey,\" Perry said in reference to the council's stance on recusals and conflicts of interest. Resident Will Mackie urged the council to “focus on the use and not the user,” saying the ordinance requires the body to evaluate impacts of a college-university use; he argued the specific uses proposed — a copy center in the basement and administrative offices in rear upper spaces — could be acceptable under the zoning criteria.

Dr. Patrick Ramey, a resident, pointed to the comprehensive plan language that directs the city to avoid removal of viable commercial activities from downtown and said rental of sizable commercial floorspace to an institution effectively removes that commercial capacity whether the university buys or leases.

Council discussion addressed parking concerns, building access and the cumulative impact of university uses downtown. Adamson said Washington and Lee University had indicated it would encourage employees to use campus parking rather than downtown spaces and that the basement-level copy center would not be a high-parking-demand use; he described the proposed retail spaces as a downtown benefit. Council members said the city and the applicant had discussed the availability of campus parking and that parking management measures would be available if issues arise.

After discussion the council approved the CUP with the two staff conditions and the planning commission’s additional condition. Roll-call recorded ayes from Mr. Ziegler, Mr. Driscoll, Mr. Betts, Mr. Smith, Miss Strawn and Miss Alexander; the motion carried unanimously.

Ending: The council approved the permit for specific below- and behind-storefront administrative uses while excluding street-level storefronts and adding a tax-roll conditionality; several speakers urged the council to address town–gown planning and cumulative institutional impacts in future policy work.","Council approved a conditional-use permit allowing portions of the Grand (Grama) Building at 1–9 South Main Street to be used for administrative facilities related to an educational institution, a decision that drew public debate over parking, tax base and the role of Washington and Lee University in downtown.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6115126,"Council approves Yellow Brick Road satellite daycare at Lexington Presbyterian Church",4189,2024000,6213000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2739873-acbb6b8781f61a6771a9411a377071a3&start=2024&end=6213","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2739873-acbb6b8781f61a6771a9411a377071a3/thumbnail_2024000.jpg","/articles/6115126/Lexington/Rockbridge-County/Virginia/Council-approves-Yellow-Brick-Road-satellite-daycare-at-Lexington-Presbyterian-Church","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115126-621e596b9a38be0283100a48a7074a3b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771095253&Signature=B7LLcDBT-iguEP7ic017oG8s8XJJsCzJSK9VauZx9ZZa64Psusa-LzmYuemXAgz7b8QOC4VC2rjspbr2dKmgy24cSeDGwBeNBvUaidICpBeKO8Ta-UZBmi5ou1vrf-baqfiTa6vxn8sIGvu-npT9v12TcNKxYUlmtGRLvYLdfgEg-82pYj3SvT4HD~VN-jreVOmWR1rFptsbpoUq9b9qYkwl5N8~0ARK3zO6VF7SBblRsSu9zeSSxpVcLBaID1TtX5XU6-lR5mI7A36~Wm33sKx2qZVS0Nc4f~9cczDMYbQbdbDl-US2T-cfH9b3VjxLe2I89dkZ8tNrSu7u9~7IXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lexington — The Lexington City Council voted unanimously March 20 to approve a conditional-use permit allowing Yellow Brick Road to operate a satellite daycare for up to 34 children at Murray Hall, the rear portion of Lexington Presbyterian Church at 120 South Main Street.

Misty Camden, executive director of Yellow Brick Road, told the council the organization currently serves 88 children and has worked to add capacity but remains constrained by space. \"Originally, when I submitted this permit, there were 97 children on our waitlist. Today, we have a 13,\" Camden said, adding that some families had delayed moves or were unable to accept employment because of child-care shortages.

City planner Arnie Glaser presented the staff recommendation and conditions, noting the facility would serve children 6 weeks to 5 years with 11 adult staff, operate Monday–Friday from 7:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. and use the South Randolph Street entrance. Staff recommended limiting occupancy to 34 and requiring the building to meet the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code and the Virginia Statewide Fire Protection Code. Planning Commission recommended the same conditions and suggested one of the four on-street spaces just behind the entrance be designated 10-minute parking all day, with the other three signed as 10-minute during drop-off/pick-up and otherwise two-hour parking.

Council discussion centered on safety and parking logistics. Council members and staff said the city manager has authority to manage on-street parking on Randolph Street and could implement and monitor signage and enforcement. Camden said the daycare intends to use the enclosed courtyard at the rear of Murray Hall for outdoor play and that staff would park in nearby municipal lots.

The council’s roll call on the motion to approve the conditional use permit recorded six ayes: Mr. Driscoll, Mr. Ziegler, Mr. Betts, Miss Strawn, Mr. Smith and Miss Alexander. The motion carried unanimously.

Ending: The council approved the conditional use permit with the staff-recommended conditions and the planning commission’s parking suggestion; the city manager will coordinate parking signage and enforcement under existing city authority.","Council unanimously approved a conditional-use permit to allow Yellow Brick Road to operate a 34-child satellite daycare at Lexington Presbyterian Church’s Murray Hall, with conditions and a parking plan to accommodate drop-off and pickup.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6115131,"Lexington Police expand detective unit, launch lethality assessment for domestic violence",373,867000,1240000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2739873-acbb6b8781f61a6771a9411a377071a3&start=867&end=1240","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2739873-acbb6b8781f61a6771a9411a377071a3/thumbnail_867000.jpg","/articles/6115131/Lexington/Rockbridge-County/Virginia/Lexington-Police-expand-detective-unit-launch-lethality-assessment-for-domestic-violence","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6115131-3f47089dadee040feeeea37562d39bbf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771095253&Signature=OVYDtgb2ghc0L8ejR82RMft5isF73UCMlMaApFBVBZBBzCpYotEpgkhjS~4-tfTaVd1dAYb8WxmgahY-U05cdMR3drI3K6RCMchUiBHxhSYAWkDZiwtH9R~SBX-sirov1bBeXSW-Y6FHwr5D9UTPREPXL1wIGq86tqIUrL-UxSvk9W8fV1Cgn-J1gWgfD0Y8zb7fbjEajZq12ezo5QMPSpeCXjQhJx4eTazuKyt9bADG4uq8I3E27AUvydwPxHWgygYJiQt3J7dVb9OjQXrrs~ubpwKd~gs8tXcqWLBe-x2RKu6LOyhtE27enm8bxez8W-ezlDHLSk5jomgGoP8HuQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lexington — Lexington Police announced the expansion of its detective unit from a single investigator to a three-person team and outlined plans to introduce a lethality assessment program for intimate-partner violence.

The department’s detective unit will now include Detective Sergeant Jessica Burks as a grant-funded detective focused on domestic and intimate-partner violence and data analysis; Detective Lewis, who will handle major crimes and background investigations; and School Resource Officer Curry, whose role has been expanded to youth and family crimes detective. Chief Green said the additional staff will improve the department’s ability to “assess crime patterns and community concerns in their area to quickly solve any issues.”

The department presented the lethality assessment program (LAP) as an “evidence-based on-scene assessment administered by law enforcement to a survivor of intimate partner violence to assess lethality after law enforcement leaves that scene,” Detective Sergeant Jessica Burks said. “The whole point is the safety of that survivor after law enforcement leaves, what's gonna happen because we can't always make an arrest. So we want to make sure that later we're not working a homicide.”

Burks said the LAP follows an 11-question Maryland model and that, when properly implemented, studies show LAP can reduce intimate-partner homicides by 35–45 percent. She added that the program immediately connects survivors with Project Horizon and other advocates so the survivor has a path to services even if they decline assistance at first.

Detective Lewis described the investigative and community-outreach duties he will continue to handle, including violent crime, fraud, high-tech crimes, hate crimes and support for patrol officers. School Resource Officer Curry described youth-focused work such as teaching a Virginia roles class at Lexington Middle School, leading a junior police summer camp and operating Operation Blue Elf, a holiday program serving local children.

Council members asked about routine follow-up and resource availability. Burks and Curry said officers provide every domestic-violence caller with information and immediate contact to Project Horizon’s legal and advocacy services. Burks also said regional law-enforcement partners — Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office and Buena Vista Police Department — have agreed to participate in the regional LAP rollout.

The department plans to complete internal training and policy posting, then allow about six weeks for partner departments and Project Horizon to train staff before implementing the program in Lexington.

The department also said it will post crime statistics and make reports available on request and through the department’s usual media contacts.

Ending: Council did not take formal action at the meeting; the announcement and implementation plan were presented for information and council questions.","Lexington Police on March 20 announced a three-person detective unit and rollout plans for a regional lethality assessment program to connect domestic-violence survivors with Project Horizon and other services.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City adopts cottage-housing ordinance to enable small-lot clustered homes

Council approves Grand Building conditional-use permit for university administrative use after heated public comment

Council approves Yellow Brick Road satellite daycare at Lexington Presbyterian Church

Lexington Police expand detective unit, launch lethality assessment for domestic violence