[{"_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",6536635,"mediaKeyId","3755119-805a366a4932ad4d840d1c2ff729b075","parentId",3755119,"title","Residents raise child‑welfare concerns and transit complaints during public comment","audioSeconds",244,"startMs",260000,"endMs",504000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3755119-805a366a4932ad4d840d1c2ff729b075&start=260&end=504","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3755119-805a366a4932ad4d840d1c2ff729b075/thumbnail_260000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6536635/Winchester-City/Frederick-County/Virginia/Residents-raise-childwelfare-concerns-and-transit-complaints-during-public-comment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6536635-c9afa9e1d2cb881acc820ddb4e103861/orig.mp4?Expires=1777547780&Signature=GqC66NTA0LPVyfMtll5tae0z26X2wNQ7QxiAP0U1YDY17yv-7yGwrMU6RGY~FB8hJdsLuNL8iwqIAX7Sii9g3VR9c~MTtQvTusso7g2N-PWLYn96r2NrndygthblkWG8wt3dG9ty6SgboC2Azze0YKI-5vHBJbCZSdXMyG8XnWXGjWcpMP4fB80-EUV0xvic7U4N2aq8hiIDt~cnVJae~n5X6w5W~yVOZr2OSW6A8YC-U9VLkY7p9li6F5e8f8HAJfWX2KzkNJIFRsY76s2Il5f9CJjc92ee8NBjPj623mXiEcATMgwoUY3qD78cMxwlQwL-WEqHpFTV11hg-1OTDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Winchester","date","2025-06-10T00:00:00Z","article","During public comments, Arthur Christian (resident of Tremont Avenue) and Claire Connor (resident, Berryville but referencing Winchester CPS) spoke to the council.

Christian said he provided a list of transit system issues and urged the council to end free rides for 18‑year‑olds, claiming some people abuse the system and block paying customers. He also raised longstanding stormwater and sewer noise concerns affecting Fairmont Avenue and questioned how mapping for stormwater charges was done, urging ground surveys rather than relying solely on aerial data.

Claire Connor said she has been separated from her child for 551 days and alleged ties between Winchester CPS, Winchester Police Department and the Department of Social Services contributed to wrongful removal; she said the case was transferred to the state police. Connor invited council members to a rights rally on June 22 at Frederick Douglass Park and asked them to meet affected families and advocates, including NAACP investigators. She asked councilors to attend to learn more than the three minutes allowed in public comment.

Councilors did not take formal action on either public comment during the meeting; both topics were raised for the council’s information and possible future engagement.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Winchester - City Council Regular Meeting - 6:00 PM - Jun 10 2025 - Jun 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Two residents used public comment to raise separate civic concerns: one urged changes to youth free‑ride transit policy and raised stormwater complaints; another asked councilors to attend a June 22 rights rally about alleged wrongful child‑welfare actions involving Winchester agencies.","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},6536639,"Reading on Hope Drive remnant right‑of‑way; staff to draft deed restriction for green/recreational use",124,2915000,3039000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3755119-805a366a4932ad4d840d1c2ff729b075&start=2915&end=3039","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3755119-805a366a4932ad4d840d1c2ff729b075/thumbnail_2915000.jpg","/articles/6536639/Winchester-City/Frederick-County/Virginia/Reading-on-Hope-Drive-remnant-rightofway-staff-to-draft-deed-restriction-for-greenrecreational-use","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6536639-b8a443d0ef8d5c2570d80ecc2416ca76/orig.mp4?Expires=1777547780&Signature=jArvSwCoc-l-H4kOFppRh5uVY3dnJgKTkxZArNpIMLGeA7mxH04VF7lYd6TdbzGVxXgPuy7yMObDLy9V7b6Xb4DjjJ6Og13Dl1O8z7wE~wZRo6-pzzJRL48B4N0exnLiH34SnmyZUNMQXHbnHH1KGW5noKYWlkQXkI6cM6LJBuvpTWu6bqu3YzEykJq1IUmxJZurj3Cg3JsslvysbTrB3PhMkNdgN1m20o0Gv7bj43OaXaaQ1bor4tioreNZCe9n5hZ4H8k-7vuzNO-ZYnQQd5sBDsX4UY1aueiSzuHVk5G28KaaY8bR9aOAGZGD~d0~2P49I3YpgpTZDaT3kwVoCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The council received a reading of ROW‑25‑1, a city‑sponsored request to vacate and convey roughly 0.22 acres of surplus right‑of‑way along Hope Drive to be consolidated with the Ward Plaza development parcel. David Stewart described the remnant as the leftover curve of the former Hope Drive alignment; the parcel lies behind a Wells Fargo branch and adjacent to the Ward Plaza site where townhomes are planned.

Staff told council the remnant is encumbered by multiple utility easements and that the intent is to convey the surplus right‑of‑way to the Ward Plaza developer while preserving easements. Planning commission members had asked whether the remnant could be used for additional dwelling units; staff said the PUD for Ward Plaza fixes unit counts and that any new density would require rezoning and PUD amendment. Public services staff drafted deed language to restrict use to green or recreational purposes, though council asked staff to allow non‑habitable features such as an entrance sign if the developer desires.

Councilors at Ped and in the full body voiced support for the conveyance with deed restrictions limiting structural development; staff said they will draft language that preserves utility easements and allows minor non‑habitable features. No final vote was required at the reading.","Council heard a reading to convey about 0.22 acres of surplus Hope Drive right‑of‑way to the Ward Plaza development; staff said the parcel is encumbered by utilities and will be conveyed with easements and deed language restricting future use to green or recreational space unless a rezoning occurs.",{"_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},6536643,"Reading held on alley vacation near West Whitlock; adjacent owner objects",193,2781000,2974000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3755119-805a366a4932ad4d840d1c2ff729b075&start=2781&end=2974","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3755119-805a366a4932ad4d840d1c2ff729b075/thumbnail_2781000.jpg","/articles/6536643/Winchester-City/Frederick-County/Virginia/Reading-held-on-alley-vacation-near-West-Whitlock-adjacent-owner-objects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6536643-f24c113c98f3ed08c17d55d2c59a97f4/orig.mp4?Expires=1777547780&Signature=mj1t64B9VzlO2vv7RrN8I-iXav6sddLZ5LiY6DBBS1vStkvjTJe8TmeyXaoYeyEDwnaKzNqSVcxpHJujHM~~O0yq7eK~uJs0wr8rPXoFsCriy6xDqp-Cuau4XkA3iEue0I-9BkOdXHV8skaA3r2xnlIkJSluS-W8KI0L3IuDhpWMHzhxTHwcKSvFjOcmgclIMG2J~KQi67FaRZ0pApv6Hlb91B1jCOaFT49D9XvG1uWdiYhbsGd4OmquIyccrFwVNRr~YDJDRUUqRUUVz0guW5HbCDocehyxEaRPkNvlJDN-Qso8e6uwVCgAK5sHkgnm4vUgkxiyL9JNrps5bJ5avA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff presented a reading of OW‑25‑206, an ordinance to vacate and convey an 89‑foot section of a 14‑foot alley behind properties on West Whitlock Street. David Stewart (city staff) explained the request is a revisit of a prior council approval that expired after one year because the applicant did not complete required consolidation steps. The current proposal would convey about 1,200 square feet of the alley to the homeowner at 22 West Whitlock; the adjacent owner at 36 West Whitlock (a doctor's office in a former school building) objected prior to the planning commission meeting.

Stewart said the planning commission recommended denial of the current proposal. Councilors asked whether any unimproved alley would remain under city ownership (staff: yes, some remnant would remain) and discussed the prospect of a modified application targeted only to resolve the shed‑in‑the‑alley zoning violation. Stewart said even a smaller conveyance would require confirmation from the other adjacent owner at 1314 South Braddock Street that they had no interest in the half of the alley that would remain.

Councilor Herbst said it would be “highly unlikely” to approve the request over the objection of the adjacent property owner, and other councilors expressed similar reservations. No vote was taken at the reading.","Council heard a reading of Ordinance OW‑25‑206 to vacate and convey a portion of a 14‑foot alley behind 22 and 36 West Whitlock Street. Planning commission recommended denial and an adjacent property owner objects; councilors signaled reluctance to approve over objection and took no action at reading.",{"_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},6536647,"Council holds reading on Cedar Valley rezoning to create neighborhood design district",88,720000,808000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3755119-805a366a4932ad4d840d1c2ff729b075&start=720&end=808","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3755119-805a366a4932ad4d840d1c2ff729b075/thumbnail_720000.jpg","/articles/6536647/Winchester-City/Frederick-County/Virginia/Council-holds-reading-on-Cedar-Valley-rezoning-to-create-neighborhood-design-district","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6536647-a345edf7c52841cd3bdc223098843bfb/orig.mp4?Expires=1777547780&Signature=cc9rUPwiZ-hN8vC-UyEegTJcfBRBBDYfnFr8XVmlF78SJ82BWt7Pm36CqP2r5MU7a6RvMVd-MnxZYhtx6jwMMqMFa6uJ-JVggeWrMqJdsmOlR5TVmOqu-oXQvgCZLqKgC~Y3SwhQI6WObcFfs7-sHj6BZTfAreafjTVek9sInzqG-hZX6Vnyl8lfFjDXFVpUdcXxKUI3iyS0~RRaD31UZgz1Z6pSFsGdErJ5yKuUxkpuXdIdWvr2jhCLEUh-ew2hjhlUyvWAv5Mejp4YPd0KGT01j7L2M2ZfE5UILg0viD-0OLA3OTJ-hd6z8YR5KsUmhyh0060L1swwYVWIEF5eqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Winchester City Council received a reading of RZ-2025-010/2025-16, a city‑sponsored rezoning to change the zoning of roughly 93 parcels (about 92 acres) in the Cedar Valley area to a Neighborhood Design District (NDD). The parcels lie near Valley Avenue, Pulp Drive, Ballard Drive, Weems Lane, Hillman Drive, Cedar Creek Grade and adjacent streets.

Mike Ruddy presented the item as the final step to implement a previously approved comprehensive plan amendment and a zoning ordinance for neighborhood design districts. Ruddy said notifications to property owners were sent and the matter has been advertised; the rezoning would map the parcels into the NDD to implement the Cedar Valley vision in the comprehensive plan. Ruddy offered to answer remaining questions and said Sidehill and Berryville NDD work will follow.

Councilors expressed support for the work to date. No formal action was taken at the reading; staff indicated the rezoning will return for council action at a subsequent meeting after required procedures are complete.

The council’s discussion emphasized that the rezoning covers more than a single parcel or plaza and aims to enhance the broader area with a walkable, mixed‑use, neighborhood‑design approach. Councilors thanked staff and advisory committees for their work and were told the Berryville Neighborhood Design District advisory process begins next week.","Council heard the reading of RZ-2025-010/2025-16, a city‑sponsored rezoning to apply a Neighborhood Design District to about 93 parcels (approximately 92 acres) in the Cedar Valley area; the item was presented as a final step following earlier comprehensive plan and ordinance amendments and will return for action at a future meeting.",{"_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},6536652,"Council approves changes to Winchester Transit: keeps one loop bus, shifts one to on-demand service",386,989000,1375000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3755119-805a366a4932ad4d840d1c2ff729b075&start=989&end=1375","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3755119-805a366a4932ad4d840d1c2ff729b075/thumbnail_989000.jpg","/articles/6536652/Winchester-City/Frederick-County/Virginia/Council-approves-changes-to-Winchester-Transit-keeps-one-loop-bus-shifts-one-to-on-demand-service","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6536652-527633baa80680f98575b1fd8067c4ff/orig.mp4?Expires=1777547780&Signature=GwEmFjeI-bxk-GIxxbGVhxRfJjH0jCUTbr4xdcniwW8FWsA~~3Uo8obsCMjxA9QuG7yJZMMRuQBdTx6Vr4hJZvikMc~~~W5w6rUoleFryZ0eLarHpQMaE0eQNgqWbP-Pz~GH3qnGX8Rfjpo6JVZWlpxtvAOBbpVE6fcfGO5TRIgaK0i9-~et2wBLg1gxKPD310RqTD0OEYR5hVyV0OshAwudJn1azjze7jVd6W5marUF-5vK0aOjFncT2fslnW6PS3jgwfwaeLOnoXEGdC~8l9Hdu6yyhX8~UInThsY0zgWrOJD6FpgmELUD1JsSSchWpWxTqSTmjYBacL7rPxJSMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Winchester City Council on a voice vote approved Resolution R-2025-21 on modifications to Winchester Transit, adopting option 2 with option A to keep one fixedloop vehicle in service while reallocating the other loop bus to the WinReady on-demand system.

The vote, moved by Mayor Beach, came after a lengthy presentation by Perry Eisenach, director of public services, and follow-up detail from Kenny, transit operations manager. Eisenach told the council that WinReady demand has outstripped capacity: during April, 1,700 ride requests could not be served; the first part of June already showed about 444–477 unserved ride requests through the Monday–Saturday period. He said shifting one of the two loop buses to WinReady would reduce the number of unserved requests while preserving a predictable fixed route for riders who prefer it.

The resolution also endorses changes to the Laurel Ridge route: to discontinue Bridal (a low‑use stop) and to suspend Friday service during the summer term beginning in summer 2026. Eisenach said implementing option 2 with Laurel Ridge changes would leave an FY26 budget shortfall of about $28,500 after an estimated $15,000 in savings from Laurel Ridge changes and a $43,500 additional operating cost to keep a loop bus running all day. He said the city could pursue a future fare adjustment to help cover that gap; raising the loop route fare from $1.00 to $1.50 was estimated to yield about $12,500 annually but would require a separate 30‑day public comment period before implementation.

Council members asked for regular reporting back on performance and rider feedback. Councilor Fox and others supported the one‑bus loop plus more WinReady capacity with a follow‑up report in a few months. Councilor Newton and others asked for data on wait times and effect on riders; staff said they would return with usage and geographic hotspot data drawn from the WinReady app and dispatch records. Mayor Beach made the motion to approve option 2 with option A; no second was recorded in the transcript. The motion carried by voice vote.

Eisenach and Kenny described additional details the council heard during discussion: WinReady currently operates about six vehicles at peak and the FY26 budget includes funds for additional WinReady vehicles; the city budgeted to add vehicles so peak WinReady capacity could reach nine buses when fully deployed. A new WinReady vehicle is budgeted at about $145,000; staff said future vehicles will be smaller, ADA‑accessible units rather than large buses. Staff also said roughly 30% of total WinReady rides are paratransit riders (door‑to‑door required under ADA whenever fixed routes operate), and that paratransit riders will continue to be served. Staff reported that about 60% of bookings still occur by phone and that dispatchers can text or call app users when needed to resolve booking issues.

Council discussion covered potential partnerships and revenue sources: members asked whether local institutions (colleges, hospital, major employers, retailers) might contribute funding or student activity fee support as happens in some university towns. Eisenach said the city has had early conversations with Southern University (SU) and Laurel Ridge and that hospitals could partner to subsidize rides to medical appointments. Councilors and staff also discussed potential policy changes to address no‑shows for free youth rides during peak school periods.

The council directed staff to bring a followup on fares and financial options to finance committee and to return with operational data and rider feedback after the service change is implemented.","Winchester City Council voted to adopt a resolution (R-2025-21) to modify Winchester Transit services, keeping one fixed loop bus in service while reallocating a second loop bus to the WinReady on-demand system; the council also approved changes to the Laurel Ridge route with a future fare review promised.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents raise child‑welfare concerns and transit complaints during public comment

Reading on Hope Drive remnant right‑of‑way; staff to draft deed restriction for green/recreational use

Reading held on alley vacation near West Whitlock; adjacent owner objects

Council holds reading on Cedar Valley rezoning to create neighborhood design district

Council approves changes to Winchester Transit: keeps one loop bus, shifts one to on-demand service