[{"_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",6709711,"mediaKeyId","5065547-6950a2ab77555282deb4099795659756","parentId",5065547,"title","Council grants conditional use permit allowing 6-foot privacy fence in front yard at 404 Circle Drive","audioSeconds",312,"startMs",338000,"endMs",650000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5065547-6950a2ab77555282deb4099795659756&start=338&end=650","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5065547-6950a2ab77555282deb4099795659756/thumbnail_338000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6709711/Winchester-City/Frederick-County/Virginia/Council-grants-conditional-use-permit-allowing-6-foot-privacy-fence-in-front-yard-at-404-Circle-Drive","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6709711-3e9b35a69dc2efd6a8aa9cddab4f8a3c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180390&Signature=XTJFOgJXnzbk9dC9oVf-F8pTEY0I72ttGC~GU-3ddg~iDoaL9apY5EwporT6u1ERE1zdrixnRLm8UmYrUSHDepQWWu1W5zj-B7ZAMzbhyASNk8Urr4tPRlszC4MpU-IUEjYu1GXh6LzcqgaihYxkgZBYYKNuxr8QQ5spC4IbY6vVFgmiXulr2ytrfgnkj5kn0oE-lM0FVYpApiXzs3uQODT41PyeKdzTY2bG1YZ6nQ~pR3frcTJ3e39~9U7wEI11m2Qc-1SUEoG5lu2jU1YTFLXj4B7JfF4T5nUx7Isp42G8bVTRtvJQcc8rFrsJiqHDuyRbk2l5oXanZNTPtgl24Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Winchester","date","2025-06-24T00:00:00Z","article","Winchester City Council on Tuesday approved a conditional-use permit that allows a six-foot-tall, 100% privacy fence in the front yard of 404 Circle Drive, despite the city zoning ordinance’s typical front-yard limit of four feet and 25% openness.

Zoning staff (presenter Aiden Davis) said the lot is roughly 0.21 acres and features a continuous front yard that wraps from front to side, making it technically all front yard. Staff reported that a fence was installed without a permit and that a zoning violation prompted the conditional-use permit request. The applicant cited the safety of a child with learning disabilities as a reason for installing the fence.

Why it matters: Winchester’s zoning ordinance restricts front-yard fences to 4 feet in height and 25% openness; the CUP grants an exception for an additional 2 feet of height and full opacity in this specific case. Council discussed opacity and setbacks, and staff clarified that fences can be on the property line and that corner side-yard rules also require 4 feet and 25% openness unless different standards apply.

Council action and conditions
Council approved the CUP with conditions recommended by staff: the applicant must submit and receive a zoning fence permit; the fence shall not exceed six feet in height; and any future changes to the fence that exceed the ordinance standard (greater than 4 feet or more than 25% opacity) would require a new CUP. Councilors who spoke described the fence as improving safety for the applicant’s children and said it did not appear to negatively affect neighboring properties.

What the vote did
The motion to approve the conditional-use permit passed during a roll-call vote. The council record shows approval; staff will process the required zoning permit paperwork and monitor compliance with the CUP conditions.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Winchester - City Council Regular Meeting - 6:00 PM - Jun 24 2025 - Jun 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A conditional-use permit to allow a six-foot, fully opaque fence in a front yard at 404 Circle Drive was approved after staff explained the property’s unusual continuous front-yard layout and a zoning violation stemming from installation without a permit.","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},6709715,"Council clears vacation and conveyance of 0.22-acre Hope Drive remnant; viewers committee named",240,1020000,1260000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5065547-6950a2ab77555282deb4099795659756&start=1020&end=1260","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5065547-6950a2ab77555282deb4099795659756/thumbnail_1020000.jpg","/articles/6709715/Winchester-City/Frederick-County/Virginia/Council-clears-vacation-and-conveyance-of-022-acre-Hope-Drive-remnant-viewers-committee-named","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6709715-7295c43737190e4d431d144e9b444dd4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180390&Signature=KVoGVzhqF4SGrczV8tdXAoio76dG4jA~SQtn4NCviQc3bXPYV3m4IsZW~W9Izsz1acrlqXEtruFb-f0AAw4CCyNpLCGRGE-H-Ygm7RnPGfKstAugRxFIn-RBSZLIAmcNDZudXxAu7KSL-OKxbjEDdT4ahh0QqDzuspXRyeIP91CkFm851d0rDljaBF-RUIc1rYHJcDCldCuahO5ufnJUwIjtfmyMIxU4OTlkBlZb8s9z2Dyqocq7HYnXygmeJyaI1IOgMhsLYaItKIc~oqE-sywkz1b6nrUdbVeOdGezeqf~CFX6QLpb072HA1ixY9MN8UAlmwUaFtPGvLvmXhZ3tw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Winchester City Council voted on Tuesday to proceed with an ordinance to vacate and convey an approximately 0.22-acre portion of Hope Drive, a remnant created when the road was realigned. Council also appointed an on-site viewers committee to inspect the property and report back.

The parcel sits behind the Wells Fargo property along Valley Avenue and adjoins the Ward Plaza development site, staff said. Planning and site exhibits shown to council indicated the remnant could be tied into the developer’s townhouse portion of Ward Plaza and maintained as additional green space.

Why it matters: Conveying unused right-of-way to adjacent property owners is a common municipal process but can permanently remove public land from the right-of-way inventory. Council conditioned the proposed conveyance on retention of required public utility easements and a deed restriction that would limit future land use to green space, passive or active recreation only.

What staff and council said
David Stewart, presenting the item, described the area as a remnant from a realignment of Hope Drive and showed an exhibit from the Ward Plaza site plan that shaded the conveyance area in green. Planning staff told council the parcel contains significant public-utility easements that encumber parts of the site but that some portions could be improved for small amenities if conveyed.

Council moved to approve the ordinance with conditions that include preserving public-utility easements, administrative approval of a minor subdivision consolidation plan and a deed restriction limiting future use to green space, with or without recreational use. Council then appointed Chief Lewis, Chief Savage and Gary Eisenach as the viewers committee to inspect the site and prepare a report for the next council meeting.

What the vote did and next steps
Council’s action advances the ordinance; staff said the item will return for a subsequent reading along with the viewers committee report. If conveyed, the developer would be responsible for maintenance and any future improvements, subject to retained easements and the recorded deed restriction.

","Winchester City Council approved moving forward on vacating and conveying a 0.22-acre remnant of Hope Drive to adjacent developer, with conditions including preservation as green space and retention of easements; a viewers committee was appointed to inspect the site and report back.",{"_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},6709720,"Council adopts Cedar Valley neighborhood design district rezoning covering roughly 92 acres",188,790000,978000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5065547-6950a2ab77555282deb4099795659756&start=790&end=978","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5065547-6950a2ab77555282deb4099795659756/thumbnail_790000.jpg","/articles/6709720/Winchester-City/Frederick-County/Virginia/Council-adopts-Cedar-Valley-neighborhood-design-district-rezoning-covering-roughly-92-acres","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6709720-4470cffbc9bb1decb286158cc75d685b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180390&Signature=LVcy4dMB2VuKAIoVqwoKopC97IzbcgyIb2uIc8w0EsRA1Yljv1uUAkAR0IfzZYdxKJ3uQ76XA1tdV62jR4hKy6Gy4dh7CqdRPyHuvIezKmAWpIfrSlS5B6D2JrSnCMHaopN-~eiqnl9Cle2tpSJwGg2shOPvCRXMt2fPQ~z1FORie9zPcbZkujzndLcwW6cSgRPt4thU48oEYh7wzmeGLwzOxZ38rJpi6N1qx~vT81EnJRZCjrNAsYGFSQQeq52Z4fdvH2xxta-tEQlvTTNylSAm6W0AWn~v~sKK9z4teSTZyJbuNhHVUTu67cDN79ast1FgM5ew1K1yEcrdB1frcA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Winchester City Council voted Tuesday to adopt a multi-parcel rezoning that converts 93 parcels totaling approximately 92 acres in the Cedar Valley area to the Neighborhood Design District (NDD).

The ordinance reclassifies parcels along Valley Avenue, Holtz Drive, Ballard Drive, Weems Lane and other nearby streets from several existing districts — including Highway Commercial (B-2) and various residential districts — into NDD zoning. City staff and the applicant said the zoning change implements a neighborhood design overlay established in the comprehensive plan.

Why it matters: The NDD designation was created to carry out neighborhood design district policies in the comprehensive plan. Rezoning to NDD will change allowable uses and design standards for the affected parcels and guide future development consistent with the plan’s neighborhood design objectives.

What staff and council said
Planning staff described the rezoning as the final step in the Cedar Valley neighborhood design district effort. Mike Ruddy, on behalf of staff, told council the rezoning follows prior council approvals: the comprehensive plan amendment last November and the NDD zoning ordinance earlier this year. Ruddy acknowledged an extensive public-notification and vetting process that included a neighborhood advisory committee and multiple public reviews.

A single public comment from a local business, Malloy Toyota, was included in the agenda packet and recognized in the record. Council members who spoke in support praised the lengthy public process and moved the ordinance to final adoption.

What the council approved and next steps
The rezoning ordinance (O-2025-16 / RZ-2025-01) was approved on second reading and adopted at this meeting; staff said the action completes the neighborhood design district application for Cedar Valley. The zoning change will take effect according to the ordinance’s effective date and will be applied when permits or proposals for affected parcels are considered.

","Council gave final approval to a city-initiated rezoning that will change 93 parcels totaling about 92 acres to the Neighborhood Design District (NDD) to implement the comprehensive plan’s neighborhood design objectives for the Cedar Valley area.",{"_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},6709725,"City Council approves HUD annual action plan; staff and nonprofits to shape proposed shelter at former YDC site",928,2468000,3396000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5065547-6950a2ab77555282deb4099795659756&start=2468&end=3396","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5065547-6950a2ab77555282deb4099795659756/thumbnail_2468000.jpg","/articles/6709725/Winchester-City/Frederick-County/Virginia/City-Council-approves-HUD-annual-action-plan-staff-and-nonprofits-to-shape-proposed-shelter-at-former-YDC-site","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6709725-2de79434ebb0010a7936114463579a42/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180390&Signature=OMI1LTHRjPmmMeHpeYyAnF~4SPzJjxE7dJxc3fXWkIzarbdUPHxswoCG6zFrnJqdnfdSw~xsxtglYLWUwboYI4-KLL5UrDlXiCVM8HI1dnXm5jlBAAKryOyS0j2UtyumzTigg2izHn5ZikXO2Y~GhZH~ry-~2dNnGTRy2mw1xAgngFnYfiDbSGCogSyWpK3eiaXycgjCAgR5-4l74yR0FTWqTLDDbxY2i61TikB7PM9LEC5y5ULGzmVt9oWLVW03pzbtBnjyvqz8NWCNcXWbmkIjOHsfjIN5wbS5a3eu2Xbph3WHg3qt6wZJ6xXLO1vJKBJ4Lw7l9UxTi5oKCwq5Gg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Winchester City Council on Tuesday approved the HUD-mandated 2025–26 Annual Action Plan, authorizing staff to submit the city’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME program allocations and to begin a procurement process for proposed homelessness services at the site council has discussed previously.

The plan sets out how the city intends to use federal CDBG and HOME funds in the coming program year. City staff told council the city’s entitlement for the coming year is approximately $249,133; the HOME consortium that covers the broader Northern Shenandoah Valley is expected to receive about $603,000. Council approved the resolution after staff and councilors discussed deadlines and the risks of missing HUD’s summer submission window.

Why it matters: HUD deadlines and program rules are strict; failure to submit an annual action plan can risk funds. Council members said approving the plan now preserves the city’s eligibility while leaving room for amendments later in the year.

What the council approved and next steps
Staff recommended submission now and the use of a competitive request-for-proposals (RFP) process to determine how federal funds might support nonprofit-operated shelter and services at the former YDC site if council later chooses that direction. The RFP will ask nonprofits to outline how they would operate emergency shelter, medical services and workforce development at the site and to explain programmatic and financial sustainability. Council members said the proposals will be reviewed publicly and that any subrecipient work remains subject to federal rules and city oversight.

Several councilors and members of the public urged prioritizing existing providers and local nonprofits—Watts, Lowell Center, Rescue Mission and Blue Ridge Habitat were cited by speakers—rather than creating a city-run shelter. Staff and the city attorney explained that CDBG and HOME funds carry federal requirements (for example, CDBG generally requires that a large share of funds benefit low- and moderate-income persons) and that the city retains responsibility for compliance even when funds go to subrecipients.

A public commenter raised concerns about whether CDBG/HOME money should be used to purchase or operate a shelter, advocating instead that the city fund existing nonprofit services or capital projects such as sidewalks. Councilors said the action they took preserves flexibility: the plan can be amended later, and the RFP process is intended to let nonprofits propose detailed operational plans.

What the vote did and did not do
The adopted resolution approves submission of the annual action plan to HUD and authorizes staff to proceed with administrative steps, including issuing an RFP for nonprofits if council decides to pursue programming at the site. Council discussion made clear that final program decisions, potential property acquisition or long-term commitments would return to council for separate approval.

Looking ahead
Staff said they will issue the RFP to nonprofit organizations, accept proposals, then return any recommended subrecipient agreements and proposed site uses to council with public hearings. Councilors emphasized that the city must balance urgency to secure federal funds with careful review of nonprofit proposals and program safeguards to avoid federal compliance problems.

","Winchester City Council voted to approve the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) 2025–26 Annual Action Plan, securing Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME funding and moving forward a process to solicit nonprofit proposals for a possible emergency shelter/ services campus at the former YDC site.",{"_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},6709706,"Council holds first reading of zoning text amendment to define shelters and charitable service centers; nonprofits consulted",554,4258000,4812000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5065547-6950a2ab77555282deb4099795659756&start=4258&end=4812","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5065547-6950a2ab77555282deb4099795659756/thumbnail_4258000.jpg","/articles/6709706/Winchester-City/Frederick-County/Virginia/Council-holds-first-reading-of-zoning-text-amendment-to-define-shelters-and-charitable-service-centers-nonprofits-consulted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6709706-8de3f39395c202ea6974c7e8a62538f5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180390&Signature=XEi9nehkm1LwayqD5IIyjHJGTgexOn8AR0YVvODRIYNgm3lFByPbExW1J-sThOkW0lRzB9IUX4BqkPx8lCpjryMmhg0Eo8LoESHIleosCwB-A-vjn0pN2Hdn63mm9Iu1RIZgsgNoM5xCFeXo5EBwMS~N4EalXeCjgAU~1ZmfJazRTGqxN2DrG5peH2bkb1zX6k~VPj0Rql9OaPlc3ljazQaKyH8oZ-JyF4kkPJYEqSMT3tzgjCT7qKbr17pRq19m5UX7U2247b0RqKfvL2P0Q5Ub353D4RYGdIA64HF4RhVWrGAO3mL4CrOZ3R7px93Wrh7MFUoIL8woaRqqT6LZAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Winchester City Council held a first reading Tuesday of a zoning text amendment designed to create clearer rules for shelters and philanthropic/charitable service providers.

The proposed amendment would add a definition for “humanitarian service facility” (shelter) and separate that use from what the draft calls a “charitable provision center,” which would cover food distribution, clothing and similar services. The change aims to let service providers continue by-right operations in districts where distribution of goods is appropriate while keeping shelter uses subject to case-by-case review.

Why it matters: Council previously discussed the idea of permitting shelters and service providers in different locations and zoning districts. Nonprofits asked staff to separate the uses so that organizations that provide food or clothing are not unintentionally restricted from downtown or other service-oriented locations when shelters require a conditional-use process.

Key provisions discussed
Zoning staff (Zoning Administrator Alfredo Gutierrez Velasquez) described several substantive changes made after staff met with local nonprofits: (1) create a distinct category for charitable provision centers (food/clothing distribution) that can operate by right in appropriate districts; (2) define humanitarian service facilities (shelters) and keep them subject to conditional-use review (CUP) with council oversight; (3) set a maximum standard length of stay for shelter guests—staff said 12 months was used as a benchmark while allowing nonprofits to administer programs and request flexibility when warranted; (4) simplify guest documentation requirements to address privacy concerns and reduce administrative barriers.

Nonprofits and several councilors participated in the process, staff said, and recommended language changes were incorporated. Staff noted that because the changes reflect substantial edits from the prior draft, the public hearing process had to restart. The item is scheduled for a subsequent public hearing and second reading in July.

What the vote did and next steps
This was a first reading only; no final action was taken. Council members and staff agreed to continue refining language where necessary and return the amendment for second reading and public comment at a future meeting.

","On first reading council reviewed a zoning text amendment that creates separate definitions and rules for humanitarian-service facilities (shelters) and charitable provision centers (service providers). Staff said the change followed meetings with local nonprofits and will return for a second reading in July.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council grants conditional use permit allowing 6-foot privacy fence in front yard at 404 Circle Drive

Council clears vacation and conveyance of 0.22-acre Hope Drive remnant; viewers committee named

Council adopts Cedar Valley neighborhood design district rezoning covering roughly 92 acres

City Council approves HUD annual action plan; staff and nonprofits to shape proposed shelter at former YDC site

Council holds first reading of zoning text amendment to define shelters and charitable service centers; nonprofits consulted