City Council approves vacating Hope Drive green space for Ward Plaza redevelopment

During the recent Winchester Planning Commission meeting held on May 20, 2025, a significant discussion centered around an ordinance to vacate and convey a 0.22-acre portion of Hope Drive. This area, located along the north side of the street between Valor Drive and Valley Avenue, is currently a remnant of green space left over from a previous realignment of the roadway.

The proposed ordinance aims to transfer this land to the property at 330 Hope Drive, which is part of the Ward Plaza redevelopment project. The commission noted that while the land is primarily green space, it is encumbered by several utility easements, limiting its potential for development. The intent behind the vacation is to relieve the city of maintenance responsibilities while allowing the area to remain as green space, potentially incorporating recreational amenities like walking trails.

Commissioners expressed a desire to ensure that any future use of the land would maintain its status as public green space. There was a consensus that the land should not contribute to the density calculations for the Ward Plaza project, which is governed by a Planned Unit Development (PUD) agreement. This means that any increase in dwelling units would require a revision of the PUD, triggering a lengthy rezoning process.

Several commissioners recalled a similar situation in downtown Winchester, where a remnant parcel was successfully integrated into a residential development while preserving its green space for public use. They advocated for a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to ensure that the newly conveyed land remains accessible to the public and is maintained as a park-like area.

The meeting concluded with a general agreement among commissioners that the ordinance could move forward, provided that the necessary amendments are made to protect the land's green space status and public accessibility. This decision reflects the commission's ongoing commitment to balancing development with the preservation of community spaces in Winchester.