[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6261115,"mediaKeyId","3124567-38d9e37d22b8911e67b667cc54fce72a","parentId",3124567,"title","Planning staff previews canopy-sign amendment, sprinkler incentive and homeowner-help programs","audioSeconds",201,"startMs",2911000,"endMs",3112000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3124567-38d9e37d22b8911e67b667cc54fce72a&start=2911&end=3112","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3124567-38d9e37d22b8911e67b667cc54fce72a/thumbnail_2911000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6261115/Lexington/Rockbridge-County/Virginia/Planning-staff-previews-canopy-sign-amendment-sprinkler-incentive-and-homeowner-help-programs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6261115-9e65e90951cbb995e4ae5c98a24460f7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170451&Signature=i28iXLMmlnIwzcvIbe9u2uI-jBlfDiBX23ruSI-YFmhW-nKjk9pOx88RY3iyPMU7aWV6NoEfezTCwhdaBxD5Cb5VA6SF~HCnjkmJNFMxpDNUf~egEbPshJOg-HYQWUDmX7GyJU76ZLIv6wSWGIioZ2IDg9HjDDW3Ftfy-qHU7p1zsEjJkXCxIrWCBg4VfIqqMz9vr6Qn~ykrBQYNnlhM0MM54BVtxlz48vy6LnRQEZr9dvyO29oLHn4v1G3dQH00-GuoGNMuF6FStXUmCc5kJosf-nc6PEBbtoXpl-L6p5645SKa97y1-ByrTKNJ9CbmEnk6OsLpHs7WJCyrfLFXmw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Lexington","date","2025-04-25T17:02:13.003Z","article","Planning staff told the commission Thursday that several non-legislative and legislative items are moving forward: a zoning-text amendment for canopy signs at the Gin Hotel, revisions to short-term rental standards following spot inspections, a sign and entrance-corridor application for Waddell Street, a homeowner-helper program being developed in partnership with the Economic Development Authority, and a downtown sprinkler-incentive program that is now accepting applications.

Staff said the canopy-sign amendment — prompted by the Gin Hotel owner’s request to allow internally lit letters up to 10–12 inches mounted on the hotel’s entrance canopy — will be presented first to the Architectural Review Board because the property is in the historic district and then come to planning for a public hearing as a zoning-text amendment. Staff noted the draft is not yet formally submitted and the applicant plans ARB review first.

On housing programs, staff said the homeowner-helper program is under development with EDA collaboration; council has already set aside funding and staff expects it will take several months to stand up. Separately, the city’s new sprinkler-incentive program has an application posted on the fire marshal’s web page and the EDA web page; staff said brochures and mailed materials were recently sent to downtown property owners to publicize the program. The incentive is intended to improve life-safety and encourage reuse of vacant upper-floor space in downtown buildings.

Staff also said they continue drafting short-term rental use and design standard updates in response to recent inspections; a draft will be brought back to the commission at a future meeting. The commission was told a sign and entrance-corridor application for Waddell will appear on the next meeting agenda.

No formal action was taken on these informational items at this meeting; staff will return with ARB feedback on the canopy sign proposal and formal drafts for zoning and code changes when they are submitted.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lexington Planning Commission: April 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Staff reported on a proposed zoning amendment for canopy signs at the Gin Hotel, updates to short-term rental standards, a downtown sprinkler-incentive program with outreach completed to property owners, and a forthcoming homeowner-helper program backed by council funding.","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},6261120,"Commission reviews transportation chapter: traffic studies, wayfinding and streetscape among topics raised",328,1675000,2003000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3124567-38d9e37d22b8911e67b667cc54fce72a&start=1675&end=2003","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3124567-38d9e37d22b8911e67b667cc54fce72a/thumbnail_1675000.jpg","/articles/6261120/Lexington/Rockbridge-County/Virginia/Commission-reviews-transportation-chapter-traffic-studies-wayfinding-and-streetscape-among-topics-raised","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6261120-a57f2da814bd346e09f588bc3edc18af/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170451&Signature=GQM6CRrltHRsh0oGBoe4lCo4AjemRlG~8iH-jm3fi7jK5mJaEY~Ot01jSCFkWBqHeW5vAa9izGIboVxdau8TDO6y-7ZEoMjHXmcSgwufXWINWGunV1LWBlDKhPZCxN47vFBu1u4m7IaY7KOBMBhjHq5AAuiHK-6Daz6R23MchpaZ56KjefVSbbBYwFYy7nwowp43NFVjrWfRMS5mauUXcC5~2NbLFFyiLxhs1fqEvddQ87U~RLUcRIPwX7Ioda-O0JrnLPXxxdNNZEAJpjhULjnXYX73L-OmfEE07iRlaw6jp~T4OawilNznSrzqWxU1mRK1nxOsykd3EnhbyYW-qg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioners spent substantial time Thursday reviewing the transportation chapter of Lexington’s comprehensive plan and raising questions about how the city applies traffic-impact requirements, implements streetscape and entrance-corridor standards, and advances pedestrian, bicycle and wayfinding projects.

Planning staff noted the city uses established thresholds to determine when a traffic-impact analysis is required for a proposed development; the Spotswood apartment proposal, the staff said, did not meet that threshold. “I think even by bedrooms, it didn’t even come within a half or maybe a third of the threshold,” staff said when describing the Spotswood project and why a traffic study was not required.

Commissioners discussed whether the comp-plan language asking for “identification and mitigation of initial and long term transportation impacts” implies a mandatory study for all developments; several members said it does not and that any requirement would need clearer thresholds written into construction standards or the zoning code. Staff suggested traffic-impact requirements are typically triggered for larger projects and could be included in construction standards if the city chooses to adopt them.

Other items discussed included:

- Entrance-corridor and streetscape standards: Commissioners agreed the city will likely develop detailed streetscape standards for key corridors such as East and West Nelson and North and South Main; North Main Street reconstruction may help set a standard. Staff said an entrance-corridor overlay conversation that includes inter-parcel connections is forthcoming.

- Wayfinding: Staff said a comprehensive wayfinding plan by Frasier and Associates exists on the shelf (built previously with regional partners) but funding to implement signage was not secured; the commission noted the plan remains an unimplemented resource.

- Pedestrian and bicycle network: Commissioners proposed marking the item ongoing, noting existing sharrows and planned improvements on North Main as parts of a broader, interconnected on-street network linking neighborhoods to downtown and parks.

- Regional transit and broadband: Commissioners and staff referenced support for regional efforts such as ride-sharing and transit connections (including a Virginia Breeze stop) and noted the city’s participation in RANA (Rockbridge Area Network Authority) to expand broadband as relevant to telecommuting goals.

Staff and commissioners characterized many recommendations as consistent with regional best practices and noted several items will require additional, separate projects or funding to implement.

No formal action was required on the transportation chapter review at this meeting; the commission marked several items as ongoing and identified follow-up work for staff and future agenda items such as entrance-corridor streetscape work.","Commissioners reviewed the transportation chapter of the comprehensive plan and discussed when traffic-impact analyses are required, the status of a shelved wayfinding plan, entrance-corridor streetscape standards, and coordination with regional partners on transit and broadband.",{"_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},6261125,"Planning commission recommends prohibiting mini-warehouses, offers design standards if continued conditionally",435,1196000,1631000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3124567-38d9e37d22b8911e67b667cc54fce72a&start=1196&end=1631","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3124567-38d9e37d22b8911e67b667cc54fce72a/thumbnail_1196000.jpg","/articles/6261125/Lexington/Rockbridge-County/Virginia/Planning-commission-recommends-prohibiting-mini-warehouses-offers-design-standards-if-continued-conditionally","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6261125-450199f5c2f60f198234bbb09c821446/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170451&Signature=a8Ad7~0PnQ4QdhJlo9eGaQ~u-Gyx2HfDEmtAu7yMxhiS~DjaUB84yr5xEVsAHEYi82TQH4aKDZU~ZmJTmI9bezo6Wylnn2sx4Gt4ETDDGkkSupXKWBoLjnu~SguF0kTHeK7ch9-uUiwHK1e3dtgPIsE7JR2eNQ4709ibacDSilt8-UiaxiWYTWVzNqRx2LS0A3B0klCqPuWOm6U9UGyfj0mPD7syH3ONA3JPDpAlKrYawITf~8yW5RV-~6zYNWTooBbk8jke7HWGaKVgVgyCmlySX71Z0YrtmgDGWU9inHGAdxGeklQmsJQhQD3bDLEWYNy2-K89f6idZs~XnwlvkA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lexington Planning Commission voted to recommend that city council prohibit mini-warehouse (self-storage) uses in the city. The motion passed unanimously at Thursday’s meeting.

Planning staff presented a final draft of use and design standards prepared after multiple revisions and public outreach; the packet included a proposed change to the municipal definition of “mini-warehouse” to require multi-story structures. Staff described the standards as intended to prevent large, blank-walled storage buildings and to ensure that, if permitted, facilities would meet higher design expectations.

Key elements of the proposed design and use standards include restricting outdoor storage and auctions, prohibiting motor-vehicle servicing and storage of flammable liquids, requiring a designated contact person for the property, forbidding tenant identification signs for advertising, and encouraging a multi-story building form that resembles commercial, office or residential architecture rather than a monolithic storage warehouse. The draft also specifies primary exterior materials such as brick or masonry veneer, stone, textured concrete block and fiber-cement panel siding.

Some commissioners said they expect few such facilities will be proposed in Lexington but that the standards would raise the bar for any future proposals. “If somebody were to do it, it would be a nice facility,” one commissioner said, noting the city’s history of few applications for this use.

The commission’s motion directed that mini-warehouses be prohibited in Lexington; it also recorded that, if city council decides to continue allowing the use conditionally in the C-2 zoning district, the commission’s recommendation is that council adopt the staff-recommended use and design standards enumerated in the report. Staff noted council can consider the ordinance amendment after the required advertising period, with the earliest possible council consideration one month later.

The planning commission’s recommendation will be transmitted to city council for its public hearings and final decision.","After several reviews, the commission recommended prohibiting mini-warehouse (self-storage) uses in Lexington but asked that, should city council allow them conditionally in C-2 zoning, the council adopt detailed use and design standards developed by staff.",{"_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},6261130,"Planning commission approves amended conditional-use permit for Blue Ridge Outdoor School daycare",593,567000,1160000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3124567-38d9e37d22b8911e67b667cc54fce72a&start=567&end=1160","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3124567-38d9e37d22b8911e67b667cc54fce72a/thumbnail_567000.jpg","/articles/6261130/Lexington/Rockbridge-County/Virginia/Planning-commission-approves-amended-conditional-use-permit-for-Blue-Ridge-Outdoor-School-daycare","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6261130-c2b72844f89879e5425c51c1c596d549/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170451&Signature=ZJn5oCVRp4pbz8637CPYy5nJw~Y9dOQDSAIm2EPOEsshvuM9avnPJzrPu--wWyH5LxSnN9Lp0gxwf8NkbieWmwPIKRILQe7p2rt-VxKPGklpv733hsqmq2paygdPvrcl~hU~y8qh4hdbzvbI2UBimsUnACQ3KQeEDCfIGsmS~YDCEABHxDlwPGsCuSaL~EjMcuzCxy4xvJRNW9cvh9IZ5MThs-CLQ~zbSblbVKNkiAQahrzA~N7-uVTVTwQclDs5l3P~7XuSnYsTLMIJekMLRoCkCBLfQvICF3ZXGBqt8lEv1~LRwO2MqGmZqL-MUbUFFm-mfcV2pw5AZf7quZluVw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lexington Planning Commission unanimously approved an amendment to a conditional-use permit Thursday that will allow Blue Ridge Outdoor School to expand operations at Grace Episcopal Church.

Planning staff said the original permit, approved by council in July, limited enrollment to 13 students and hours to 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The applicant asked to amend the permit to allow operations between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., a maximum of 20 students and four adult staff, beginning in August. “That approval was made with conditions that limited the number of students to 13 in total and limited the hours of operation to between 9AM and 3PM,” Arnie told commissioners.

The applicant, who identified herself as Rhianna Schleif and described herself as owner and director of Blue Ridge Outdoor School, told commissioners demand for part-time (two- and three-day) options motivated the change. “We have a limit of 10 kids on a given day,” Schleif said when describing how she manages class sizes and van capacity for field trips.

Commissioners questioned drop-off and pick-up logistics. Schleif said parents generally park in the church lot or on the street, that some staff walk children in from nearby employers, and that she uses a van to visit parks and local attractions including Natural Bridge State Park, the library and Boxerwood. She said the van’s capacity limits field trips to 10 children at a time.

Commissioners also raised building-occupancy questions; staff and the applicant clarified that the daycare uses two rooms in the church complex and that the proposed 20-child limit aligns with the intended classroom configuration. Commissioners requested and the motion to approve the amended conditional-use permit included minor typographical corrections to the draft conditions (removing an extraneous comma, deleting a duplicated word, and similar edits).

A commissioner moved to approve conditional-use permit CUP 2025-04 for a daycare center at 123 West Washington Street with the staff-recommended conditions and the typographical changes; a second was recorded and the motion carried unanimously.

Key permitting details in the record: amended maximum enrollment 20 students, hours of operation 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m., four adult staff, and continued use of the Jonathan Daniels community room at Grace Episcopal Church. Staff will enforce the conditions of the permit and follow up on the administrative edits recorded during the motion.","The commission approved an amendment allowing Blue Ridge Outdoor School to expand hours, increase enrollment to 20 children, and add staff; the applicant will continue to use Grace Episcopal Church’s Jonathan Daniels community room and an on-site van for field trips.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6261135,"Planning commission approves door decal for Evolve Hair Studio on Walker Street",219,306000,525000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3124567-38d9e37d22b8911e67b667cc54fce72a&start=306&end=525","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3124567-38d9e37d22b8911e67b667cc54fce72a/thumbnail_306000.jpg","/articles/6261135/Lexington/Rockbridge-County/Virginia/Planning-commission-approves-door-decal-for-Evolve-Hair-Studio-on-Walker-Street","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6261135-0205b062cd7ed342352ef14dda64c699/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170451&Signature=OjvPUmpYvw-HBMmEpFYUFYqXrHfXsGarmHHFQOrp98-7jFojaelBYD25icGVmqQ~SHSopeD-F~aT3FaDtrUnSXw3~CaFt4OmGBAuMuQy6LgbXC2oOkEjXtDbUm~Lzr3aV2CARFqk-SJK7FAwThpXQlbcDkvSXUL5MspLMgE0jRuU0khw94vy0ZC-Kk8vIfGH2bsMZ01tYdV4gJGAXawlpaF~jZeBxHGR58eYeGHIWynChh~82CSekzjNrR4H7un9ZC0FZVwB2FN5HAM~n-OORztBQDqK7aM5JtTxKFOxiR2Gc-52B5uxZtrTZkYkJ~zGWi6WHKy0k7Bx-HjeQq6CZw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lexington Planning Commission voted unanimously Thursday to approve a certificate of appropriateness for new signage for Evolve Hair Studio at Walker Street.

The decision allows a 19-inch-by-8-inch vinyl decal of the business logo to be applied to the studio’s entry-door glass in the city’s entrance-corridor overlay. “Staff does find the proposed improvements meet the zoning criteria,” Planning Department staffer Arnie said during the meeting.

The application packet initially listed the business at 178 Walker Street and included wall sign graphics to be removed; in the staff presentation Arnie also referenced the address as 170 Walker Street. The applicant, who identified herself at the microphone as Sydney Dunn and described herself as the owner, told the commission both of the previous exterior signs had already been removed.

Commissioners asked only clarifying questions about which existing signs would be removed and the proposed decal size. Commissioner Lehi moved to approve the entrance-corridor certificate of appropriateness (ECCOA 2025-05) “for new signage for Evolve Hair Studio at 178 Walker Street as proposed by the applicant.” A second was recorded and the motion carried unanimously.

The installation is subject to the city’s entrance-corridor and sign regulations as provided in the application packet; staff will carry out any final compliance review before the sign is installed.

Details noted in the record: the proposed decal size is 19 inches by 8 inches, the sign will be applied to the door glass, and all prior exterior signs for the former studio name will be removed.","The Lexington Planning Commission unanimously approved an entrance-corridor certificate of appropriateness allowing a 19-by-8-inch vinyl door decal for Evolve Hair Studio, with staff finding the proposal meets applicable sign and entrance-corridor criteria.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Planning staff previews canopy-sign amendment, sprinkler incentive and homeowner-help programs

Commission reviews transportation chapter: traffic studies, wayfinding and streetscape among topics raised

Planning commission recommends prohibiting mini-warehouses, offers design standards if continued conditionally

Planning commission approves amended conditional-use permit for Blue Ridge Outdoor School daycare

Planning commission approves door decal for Evolve Hair Studio on Walker Street