[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6527216,"mediaKeyId","3640147-badf70e789ac5a78c333290b0bc057b7","parentId",3640147,"title","Planning staff seeks preliminary approval for Linden Drive PUD residential subdivision; commissioners press for sidewalks, access and traffic calming","audioSeconds",1044,"startMs",1095590,"endMs",2140210,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3640147-badf70e789ac5a78c333290b0bc057b7&start=1095&end=2140","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3640147-badf70e789ac5a78c333290b0bc057b7/thumbnail_1095590.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6527216/Winchester-City/Frederick-County/Virginia/Planning-staff-seeks-preliminary-approval-for-Linden-Drive-PUD-residential-subdivision-commissioners-press-for-sidewalks-access-and-traffic-calming","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6527216-7c5bfb70e389b92867f1073102a94df0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158873&Signature=KirOYwtfOtE0NXd8zHTKqobU61gcB2kbnUDEKv-1n7lxqlvUVo8z0q7v1RIjDnYcfR~UDCC69h~AH6vT0LI93FV~Y8Th2cq7xumAxVOC5KrGia7osxletWpdYbmIVinEPVORWg3sOYYH51D92N3L15MQdXgAt7nZdxV4B7T9QVbOj5ZGKvInL~uWnFVUd80kCftrhs9bpF5sHB-O~Lxjjxdx6hpxcOrn0B8~rjLCh9vWWG~MWaQYAKLgCoO5ehip9r1KiGnIm85SbwqsCv~GnNuKw1vrK6dSh1lh8vFMD~2EhIGsQm6KgZjFOvntGLpAskzM9WSOPMxfxWi4sAwe2w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Winchester","date","2025-06-03T00:00:00Z","article","Planning staff presented a preliminary major subdivision for the Linden Drive portion of a planned unit development (SD 25‑2), a residential component of a larger Linden Drive PUD that was approved by the council in 2020 and reapproved in 2022.

The application, submitted for preliminary major subdivision approval at 441 Linden Drive by Ringway Engineering, would create 91 parcels: 62 traditional townhome lots concentrated along Leatherwood Avenue, condominium parcels in a central bay and single‑family lots facing Linden Drive. The plan includes a proposed city park shown at about 2.29 acres but staff said that acreage may shrink because an underground stormwater detention facility will be carved out of the park parcel. Staff said maintenance of the detention facility would be the responsibility of the homeowners association, and the city does not want that facility located inside the city park boundaries.

Staff said the developer will be responsible for constructing a roundabout at the north end of the public street where Linden Drive turns onto Caroline Street; the active‑adult parcel to the west will construct a second roundabout as part of the larger PUD. The staff presentation noted the preliminary plat meets the ordinance requirements but that minor changes are expected as the site plan proceeds, including adjustments to eliminate narrow remnant strips between parcels and the possible extension of Leatherwood Avenue to provide a hammerhead turnaround for refuse and emergency vehicles.

Why it matters: the subdivision adds a range of housing types — townhomes, condos and single‑family homes — adjacent to major employers and transportation routes, and includes public infrastructure changes (roundabout, park dedication, sidewalk extensions) that affect connectivity and safety.

Commissioners asked technical and design questions and offered guidance. Commissioner Bloom urged staff to avoid creating a long dead‑end that could create backing maneuvers and suggested preserving rear access for townhome maintenance, noting the difficulty that stormwater easements place on homeowners' ability to put up fences. Staff suggested a narrow open‑space maintenance easement shared across property lines as one approach. Bloom and other commissioners pressed for continuous sidewalks to Amherst Street, suggested additional traffic calming measures (reducing corner radii, possible crosswalk at a future Persimmon Street), and recommended consideration of narrower local streets if on‑street parking is not intended.

Environmental remediation was discussed: staff said DCS oversaw cleanup of arsenic‑impacted soils on the site and that the state also signed off on the remediation. A commissioner who asked about cleanup received confirmation that the site had a clean bill of health.

Staff said the plan will return with modifications at the next meeting cycle; the commission was asked to act on preliminary subdivision approval and to forward a recommendation on the final plat to city council once outstanding technical items are resolved.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Winchester - Planning Commission Work Session - 3:00 PM - Jun 03 2025 - Jun 03, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Planning staff presented a preliminary major subdivision for the Linden Drive PUD (SD 25‑2), a 91‑parcel residential plan that includes townhomes, condominiums, single‑family lots, a proposed city park and required roundabout and sidewalk improvements.","taxTitle","Winchester City, Frederick County, Virginia","taxId",5107,"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},6527221,"Winchester Medical Center seeks permission for 30‑foot light poles; staff recommends downcast fixtures and 30‑foot cap in CE district",177,783640,961580,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3640147-badf70e789ac5a78c333290b0bc057b7&start=783&end=961","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3640147-badf70e789ac5a78c333290b0bc057b7/thumbnail_783640.jpg","/articles/6527221/Winchester-City/Frederick-County/Virginia/Winchester-Medical-Center-seeks-permission-for-30foot-light-poles-staff-recommends-downcast-fixtures-and-30foot-cap-in-CE-district","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6527221-036e65a052eae2763dc424ceabbb2c54/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158873&Signature=druyPRFLF57ytQmrWwzDM7UEuHcSzrROnsmorQ2RnNd0XsMhtzV6fI5KRyOcgYjptcbkP4AEDvQJFWx8gsnuKfV~6Y0VlJl~mQEXtlACBwYnaYwYdK4Hszyg~MCnTSlQhPC1oNpY9Rzap1sAIKLHa84FevvclJGag5D58VWko9KQrdULqIsIF4tiYVB0vHKNwEmCgDR1CtnYz5JDvlvZI069IQrvA5yhL0EiHUK0aS3F2gv-y~16BkuDJzrEFBb~eUrUelR87qXhblsDTFcVKQDDCr2nEX-TpFeWyeXdcfVKQ1vntOYQ3l650EsY~iLeGYLiKixwrK4eWhVbta1kkg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Valley Engineering, on behalf of Winchester Medical Center, asked the Winchester City Planning Commission for a conditional use permit (CUP 25‑227) to allow 30‑foot ornamental light poles within the Amherst Street Corridor Enhancement (CE) District at 1840 Amherst Street.

Planning staff said the site's approved January site plan showed 20‑foot poles; the applicant now seeks 30‑foot poles for the same area. \"The poles should not exceed 30 feet in height. The fixture shall be downcast design,\" staff said, recommending those conditions and an administrative review requirement for any future replacements within the CE district.

Why it matters: the request departs from the CE district's usual street‑scale lighting standards and would align a small section of the corridor with 30‑foot lighting already used elsewhere on the hospital campus.

Staff and the applicant both noted reasons for the change. Planning staff said the small section under review is tucked behind 1840 Amherst Street and is not highly visible from Amherst. An applicant representative explained that using taller poles can reduce the number of poles required and better match existing campus lighting; \"the number of light poles decreases by going to the 30 foot pole,\" the representative said, noting a 30‑foot pole offers broader light distribution.

Commissioners asked technical and design questions. One commissioner recommended improving illumination at the pedestrian crossing at the parking lot entry, saying that while taller poles reduce the count of fixtures, the crossing itself might need an added or adjusted pole to improve pedestrian safety. Another commissioner asked why the CE overlay limits fixture height; staff said the overlay favors a pedestrian scale and that 30‑foot poles are not characteristic of the historic corridor design.

No formal vote was recorded in the transcript. Staff said the recommended conditions are: cap poles at 30 feet, require downcast fixtures, and require administrative review for replacement of lights within the CE district. The item will return with any additional materials at a public hearing.","Valley Engineering, for Winchester Medical Center, requested a conditional use permit to increase parking lot light poles from 20 to 30 feet within the Amherst Street Corridor Enhancement District. Planning staff recommended poles be capped at 30 feet, have downcast fixtures, and require administrative review for replacements.",{"_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},6527226,"Planning staff: CSX requires 8‑foot fence between new residences and railroad; chain‑link, vinyl‑coated option recommended",205,491960,697220,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3640147-badf70e789ac5a78c333290b0bc057b7&start=491&end=697","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3640147-badf70e789ac5a78c333290b0bc057b7/thumbnail_491960.jpg","/articles/6527226/Winchester-City/Frederick-County/Virginia/Planning-staff-CSX-requires-8foot-fence-between-new-residences-and-railroad-chainlink-vinylcoated-option-recommended","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6527226-5cf1dc0ebfc2e8c07ad8ed9ba9bcf02f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158873&Signature=GNOZjLZ7c7rBBlCxZzGTLV3GLLHFaWb-QPN0cib6PZwn3K9Gi9dAufDaVdrD8ELhtY6Gx3k44m7~b9~nGidd6gtoh8EeX7RA9JdcQ2FCsJRaROvOkEiXpE4RxDty2YaUWFLx4PfEazTMVs0rtxYYOIhEci1OL3TAyGu0d2U4YFtZrdHf6Pwglrw4RGi7pAbkH9quXx669ddMHmFFIvhBU0oHZFzy7ia52qy1o6xArWqKYV918c-gGlH62P3jnu-~lw35JHh1c143J7U2sseEUExEPlsnn9RRp5HU8yjgq45TmMATDsfBOqgUNVhotiCurjzteRtc1BPTiU3a3XMOYQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Planning staff told the Winchester City Planning Commission that CSX requires an eight‑foot fence between residential developments and the railroad and recommended conditions if a conditional use permit is granted.

The recommendation would require the applicant to obtain a zoning fence permit, limit the eight‑foot fencing to the exact linear distance shown on the submitted plan and make the fence permanent while it remains in that location. \"The fence shall not exceed 8 feet tall, and that in perpetuity, as long as it is within that exact linear distance that they're proposing today,\" planning staff said during the meeting.

Why it matters: the requirement affects how a proposed residential project adjacent to the railroad will be built and maintained, could affect how visible walls read from different street grades, and could require the applicant to return for another conditional use permit if they seek to expand the fenced area.

Planning staff said the fence would be located at the parking‑lot level rather than at street level in the area under discussion and that final height could vary where the grade changes; staff said they will check the site plan and provide clearer drawings for the public hearing. Commissioners asked whether the fence would be permanent; staff replied it would.

Applicant representative David Frank, identified as with Pinone, confirmed that CSX insisted on chain‑link fencing during earlier negotiations. \"But in the meantime, yes, the chain link is dictated by CSX,\" Frank said, adding the project team plans to use vinyl coating on the chain link \"to make the chain link look as good as it can.\" Frank also said the conditional use permit would be enforceable only while a short segment of Wick Street remains a public street and said an eventual abandonment of Wick Street could remove the need for the CUP.

Planning staff noted alternatives would require further review: if the applicant sought to expand the fenced area or change the fence height beyond the approved linear distance, the commission would require a new CUP. Staff also said they would require a separate zoning fence permit and that administrative checks would be needed for any future changes.

Next steps: staff said it will pull the site plan to confirm exact fence placement and height changes and present updated materials at the public hearing so the commission can make an informed decision.","Planning staff told the Winchester City Planning Commission that CSX requires an eight‑foot fence between residential development and the railroad, recommended a zoning fence permit and limits on the fence location, and that the chain‑link fence would be vinyl‑coated to improve appearance.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Planning staff seeks preliminary approval for Linden Drive PUD residential subdivision; commissioners press for sidewalks, access and traffic calming

Winchester Medical Center seeks permission for 30‑foot light poles; staff recommends downcast fixtures and 30‑foot cap in CE district

Planning staff: CSX requires 8‑foot fence between new residences and railroad; chain‑link, vinyl‑coated option recommended