[{"_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",6077134,"mediaKeyId","2965706-afe38b07293fff3de99ceb1acf502027","parentId",2965706,"title","Staff to draft canopy-signs text amendment after Gin Hotel request; architectural review board consultation planned","audioSeconds",193,"startMs",4786000,"endMs",4979000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2965706-afe38b07293fff3de99ceb1acf502027&start=4786&end=4979","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2965706-afe38b07293fff3de99ceb1acf502027/thumbnail_4786000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6077134/Lexington/Rockbridge-County/Virginia/Staff-to-draft-canopy-signs-text-amendment-after-Gin-Hotel-request-architectural-review-board-consultation-planned","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6077134-6cbc9ecd41af68790b7854c5fad36945/orig.mp4?Expires=1775271804&Signature=NQ91AVzenUUSRF0IMI5fiqteirshSV3FWb15ZDmlfgHi4KjWC54fZAzeYwoalWfrdgplNZj4lfeAu-ZHbrjA1mENWUcTvmImZp4XYZ47vLtOdxKdI3PlyvtcecgYRXb-La7PXfnj0OeepyiqXlu0ttG0IRM48PeyhxbQhzT1-eSWB1gEkFqBzvsk6pZ-sUGsjm0HWHI0q3~p8Iqg-NkoVCwUJCtA11PDR-Cuu5O-eGoWO~ZLI1ZNufDBpKWZwbbJAVzeRmkGEik85S6E~U7-zwrxU61houAmxHSC8ljTiQQGaL2zNmxM8p67nauFWLOM1OCzRXF3ECIFrm9g5jsluQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Lexington","date","2025-04-11T10:38:47Z","article","Planning staff told the commission April 10 that they are working on a zoning text amendment to allow canopy signs after a request from the Gin Hotel to place internally illuminated letters on a flat canopy.

Staff said current code allows lettering only on the valance (vertical edge) of awnings, not an illuminated sign mounted on a flat canopy. The hotel owner is working with an attorney to propose draft language; staff will circulate draft text to the Architectural Review Board (ARB) for design guidance before seeking a public hearing at the planning commission.

Commissioners raised lighting concerns, including the city’s dark‑sky standards and whether a foot‑candle limit should be specified or staff should retain discretion to require reduced brightness if a sign disturbs nearby residents. Staff said existing exterior‑lighting standards and restrictions on flashing or distracting signs will inform the amendment and that ARB input will be sought.

No code change was adopted at the meeting; staff will prepare draft language and bring it first to the ARB and later to the commission for public hearing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lexington Planning Commission: April 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Planning staff said the Gin Hotel owner has requested permission for internally illuminated letters on a flat canopy; staff will draft a zoning text amendment, seek input from the Architectural Review Board and then present language to the commission.","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},6077140,"Staff reports multiple short-term rental violations; proposes logbook rules, annual inspections and tougher penalties",1101,3698000,4799000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2965706-afe38b07293fff3de99ceb1acf502027&start=3698&end=4799","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2965706-afe38b07293fff3de99ceb1acf502027/thumbnail_3698000.jpg","/articles/6077140/Lexington/Rockbridge-County/Virginia/Staff-reports-multiple-short-term-rental-violations-proposes-logbook-rules-annual-inspections-and-tougher-penalties","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6077140-8f039b6893b371249b38eb6a9447b958/orig.mp4?Expires=1775271804&Signature=kFfjeVHuzhw~mifDsET~l4DFhv~gGRZUPEh4bTzrHsCBUkRC8B4qjJqJ5eWXMETIcErgyA7KGT3bBhX27346yEM7EKZ8trRlwQ2FJZH56XiwKT-6zdtaThscZ-IdHZCXZwMxMyjtDY5GTeJIvsU-geoOq2eaShP~DTnEd68QGWj4m4j69sUziKp0mKoAlCyFpMgoxgqpjPnY3Mtq1GaIK6Oy8EftRTXKSAA2QrlbUliy6516qeB4wW0rNLX18i7NdIdBo77NOeiDfadO6ITHXBlvJxWKX-4WPNJLh1dFGhRZh9KAIlJZcHDmtx2y~VKP-LllmtFzEKvDrL0yzTExEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Planning staff told the Lexington Planning Commission on April 10 that a spot inspection of three short‑term rentals found repeated compliance problems and recommended code changes and stronger enforcement.

Staff summarized the short‑term rental framework the commission currently enforces: type A rentals (host present) allow up to two rooms and up to 104 nights per year while type B rentals (the whole unit is rented when the host is absent) are limited to 45 nights per year, staff said. The inspections found no on‑site logbooks, advertising of individual rooms rather than consolidated bookings, missing postings for trash/recycling dates and host contact information, and evidence that at least some operators exceeded allowable nights.

Staff said two operators have agreed to pay the existing $200 summons for violations; Virginia state law provides a $500 penalty where a short‑term rental is required to register but has not. Staff noted that existing fines may not deter noncompliance: one property’s Airbnb reports indicated gross revenue above $42,000 for the prior year, staff said.

To address those problems, staff proposed drafting a zoning text amendment and rules that would: require a standardized logbook (or platform data) showing type A/type B nights; specify whether a physical logbook is required or whether platform reports are acceptable; allow the zoning administrator to conduct an annual inspection for short‑term rental zoning compliance (in addition to building inspections by the building official); and revisit penalties and suspension criteria to make enforcement more effective. Staff also noted the administrative burden of pursuing summonses, including documentation, notices of violation and potential court appearances.

Commissioners instructed staff to draft proposed language for review at an upcoming meeting and to consult the city attorney’s office as needed. Staff said minor registration adjustments could be implemented administratively but significant changes to penalties and suspension authority should be adopted through a public text-amendment process.

No new ordinance was adopted at this meeting; staff will return with draft language for commission review in a subsequent meeting.","Planning staff reported spot inspections of three short-term rentals that found missing logbooks, advertising of individual rooms, and apparent overuse of allowable nights; staff proposed drafting code language to require standardized logbooks, permit annual zoning inspections and consider higher penalties and suspension triggers.",{"_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},6077145,"Commission continues land-use chapter review; flags wayfinding, sidewalks, Spotswood Drive opportunity for tax-generating redevelopment",1574,2111000,3685000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2965706-afe38b07293fff3de99ceb1acf502027&start=2111&end=3685","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2965706-afe38b07293fff3de99ceb1acf502027/thumbnail_2111000.jpg","/articles/6077145/Lexington/Rockbridge-County/Virginia/Commission-continues-land-use-chapter-review-flags-wayfinding-sidewalks-Spotswood-Drive-opportunity-for-tax-generating-redevelopment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6077145-003d0f1bb30dce44b7dc743dd81d7922/orig.mp4?Expires=1775271804&Signature=kE8djj5F0KLvJppBYRRNftjuy7k3zRuPexFb2M9WbnuzJYgP4yCzHgTsKnWk7Wpgh-rdCy33gJXN49xoUAEPSBZoFBbpVq4FgK7Kzk9kas~h3eu8D7-6iYuPw-U-ss6ewcOdkxUA2HY2yNSSeKCSHjW9FSeL99GgB~bVVjvEv-TnJwOQsSUS68AGuJ50NGhntsjRZLzK8ayMgbLUr2ZF8cuPmlXwKWzo~lxw5iWEMJmZbGhHe6fCe27k2E69QgdjrJj9x2f6hugxZvFcD5lwncGpk9PLYrO-LICBdxZk~X9xIlY13C8khwYZd7nOY1K5XSZdwXUCjiuZXvjxR9OcJQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lexington Planning Commission continued its comprehensive-plan review on April 10 with the land-use chapter, marking multiple strategies as ongoing and discussing priority opportunity areas, grants and regional coordination.

Staff noted ongoing projects that support LU objectives, including a Transportation Alternatives Program grant administered by VDOT that funds a five-foot sidewalk project that will run from South Main to Wallace Street near Maury River Middle School. Commissioners agreed that sidewalk, shared-path and trail connection strategies (LU 1.3) should remain marked as ongoing.

The commission discussed opportunity-area strategies for city-owned parcels, including Spotswood Drive and a former VDOT parcel. Staff said the city’s stated objective for those parcels is to solicit proposals that increase the tax base and generate revenue, and commissioners reaffirmed that mixed‑use or revenue‑producing proposals are the intended outcome rather than park use.

Commissioners also considered streetscaping, wayfinding and burying utilities (LU 3.2). Staff reported prior work on underground utilities along Randolph Street and said further streetscape projects have stalled primarily for funding reasons. The commission agreed to keep the related items as ongoing while noting the cost and complexity of the work.

Other items discussed included development of small-area plans for opportunity areas, collaboration with the county and regional partners on shared projects, and ongoing coordination with Washington and Lee University and the Virginia Military Institute on campus planning and physical improvements.

A public commenter, Natalie Eger, asked whether historically significant properties such as the Blandon building would be covered by rehabilitation resources; staff responded that historic‑preservation tax credits and the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards may apply, though not all housing‑rehab items in LU 3.1 would be an exact fit.

The commission concluded the land-use discussion and moved to the zoning and planning report.","The commission reviewed the land‑use chapter, marked several LU strategies as ongoing, discussed VDOT and Spotswood Drive opportunity areas, sidewalks at Maury River Middle School and coordination with Washington and Lee and VMI.",{"_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},6077150,"Lexington planning commission marks multiple housing strategies as ongoing, discusses land trust, energy efficiency and rental inspection",1966,164000,2130000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2965706-afe38b07293fff3de99ceb1acf502027&start=164&end=2130","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2965706-afe38b07293fff3de99ceb1acf502027/thumbnail_164000.jpg","/articles/6077150/Lexington/Rockbridge-County/Virginia/Lexington-planning-commission-marks-multiple-housing-strategies-as-ongoing-discusses-land-trust-energy-efficiency-and-rental-inspection","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6077150-abf888bca7531e11e2c30c7ff74d376a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775271804&Signature=RSKemJy9y4LQbyohUh4U4UE1UzGNCT2pxJA4DQ3wikVqPy3APMtiPn3o4PVb75jsmi9S3JhRxDf~KXuY-1gBqzIMbnyT8X4~9mL2nC7q8mPGdRR85TnIIKnXVsYc5CvmzAZuZuQfVzdyQXjJBlq4utvnGnffOAIptc7FzUHMB9iqrrf~YAAowPxnKLaxtfkAC-wFZOciTm11SLMfFCOmhpwtl4a-hG5J5mjQPY8biq-6aqVwcv3cxVPb20Vr2EGNOAi8tdrbS0i5mEAVTaeC~HDyfuG2K9B1Xw6nNx421Ig1s-1RyTrG6bDhbzZF91T0AZTcs8VkIZpvHSrSQxhEpQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lexington Planning Commission on April 10 reviewed the housing chapter of the city’s comprehensive plan and marked several strategies as ongoing, staff said.

Planning staff explained the commission’s implementation spreadsheet and said the city has checked the ongoing column for HO 1.1 (pursue funding strategies) because of progress standing up a homeowner-helper program. Commissioners discussed land trusts as a possible option but heard from staff that the homeowner-helper program is the immediate focus while the regional housing study and other programs remain under review.

Commissioners said HO 1.1 is broadly worded enough to encompass multiple financing strategies, including community development block grants and local revolving loan funds, and did not request a narrower rewrite. Planning staff (Arnie) said the homeowner-helper program is the current priority and other options from the Planning District Commission’s regional housing study may follow as the region’s work proceeds.

The commission also debated HO 2.1, which encourages energy efficiency and green principles in planning, design, construction and rehabilitation of housing. Commissioners referenced existing programs offered by local utilities and nonprofits, including Dominion Power and Rockbridge Conservation, and noted those programs could be counted toward the community-level goal. The commission agreed to mark HO 2.1 as ongoing.

Commissioners discussed expanding the zoning ordinance to allow density bonuses for creation of low- and moderate-income housing. Staff noted the zoning update included a placeholder at section 420-2.3 for incentive zoning; the commission agreed to add incentive zoning to the commission’s list of potential future work to flesh out under that code section.

On protecting existing affordable neighborhoods (HO 3.2), commissioners described the recommendation as largely aspirational. Staff and commissioners said the primary tools available are existing zoning and conditional-use reviews; they cautioned the commission lacks a ready mechanism to fully prevent institutional or commercial expansion in every case.

The commission reviewed the rental housing inspection program (HO 5.4). Staff recounted the city previously operated a rental inspection regime but the program was discontinued after the housing inspector position was lost and council declined to restore the staff. Commissioners agreed it is useful to keep the strategy listed for periodic review, while noting re‑establishing inspections would have staffing and cost implications and would require Council action.

Commissioners also discussed homelessness and temporary shelter options. Staff said the housing study includes shelter-related ideas and that any specific recommendation to develop a shelter would need new, explicit language and likely regional coordination.

At the conclusion of the housing discussion, staff summarized that HO 2.1 and HO 5.2 would be marked ongoing and that other entries would remain unchanged pending future review. No formal ordinance or zoning changes were adopted at the meeting.

The commission closed the housing chapter item and moved on to the land-use chapter review.","On April 10 the Lexington Planning Commission reviewed the housing chapter of the comprehensive plan, marking several implementation items as ongoing and discussing land trusts, a homeowner-assistance program, density bonuses, energy-efficiency outreach and the status of a rental inspection program.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Staff to draft canopy-signs text amendment after Gin Hotel request; architectural review board consultation planned

Staff reports multiple short-term rental violations; proposes logbook rules, annual inspections and tougher penalties

Commission continues land-use chapter review; flags wayfinding, sidewalks, Spotswood Drive opportunity for tax-generating redevelopment

Lexington planning commission marks multiple housing strategies as ongoing, discusses land trust, energy efficiency and rental inspection