[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-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],{"_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",6482866,"mediaKeyId","5602163-e143bccfd57af05cd8c5e857a29ca86a","parentId",5602163,"title","Planning commission approves zoning updates, forwards rezoning with proffer revisions for Cedar Creek Grama site","audioSeconds",298,"startMs",1036000,"endMs",1334000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5602163-e143bccfd57af05cd8c5e857a29ca86a&start=1036&end=1334","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5602163-e143bccfd57af05cd8c5e857a29ca86a/thumbnail_1036000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6482866/Winchester-City/Frederick-County/Virginia/Planning-commission-approves-zoning-updates-forwards-rezoning-with-proffer-revisions-for-Cedar-Creek-Grama-site","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6482866-4d71412d29a3cf1c23032cd78cd3ca45/orig.mp4?Expires=1771024238&Signature=V30Qxzdi8oyfgtYKJj2udpWRE6TXK00A1VA41J3bZSvNqtGS52-pY7G3C7qkrl2zS85ada-lkjRO-RItxApyipnMG5kSyLPWcepn-qzXjLWJPnbdzDQ6sUDaMFcFaLvcUbXmVQyTdADcWGvshTl2XLHHfJyYKgg4JpccX~mV8nIdgRHNAc9TfkXaNRAepuNUYaXFpbNp~K4x8WSt3Vfo5IuZiOR-eMVbGhvvG1~x7CtBFvhXGJsJ-wNhfHyAfwKwtmkBQ4vshWyfHtSU2cPPD9WCAv4LmCHYO3cOO8DRzTxCECJiBKrDLvzL5vgvG15TFF14vQoIYgM-zZfbItxIRA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Winchester","date","2025-08-19T00:00:00Z","article","The Winchester City Planning Commission on Aug. 19 approved two zoning-related ordinances, initiated a broader zoning-text amendment and forwarded a conditional rezoning for a former bank site with a recommended change to its proffer statement.

The commission unanimously approved TA-25-1, an ordinance amending and reenacting the city’s land subdivision ordinance, and TA-25-2, amendments to sections 19–19.7 of the zoning ordinance that allow administrative approval of certain site plans and align city procedures with changes in Virginia law. Planning staff said many of the changes reflect state-code updates and procedural clarifications; staff noted the September work session will review the batch text amendments in greater detail before a public hearing.

Separately, the commission considered a conditional rezoning and proffer statement for roughly 1.32 acres at 616–632 Cedar Creek Grama to allow a highway-commercial B-2 use within the Corridor Enhancement (CE) overlay. Mr. Stewart, planning staff, reported that the applicant narrowed the list of permitted uses in the proffer statement but that commissioners and staff sought flexibility for future reuse. A homeowner’s letter identified past retaining-wall failures and steep slopes behind homes on Hillman Drive; staff said a 50-foot rear setback and proposed on-site stormwater connections to an existing 60-inch pipe would be used to manage runoff and protect neighboring homes.

Commissioners debated a long list of excluded uses in the applicant’s proffers. Several commissioners, noting the city’s inventory of vacant commercial space, urged the applicant and City Council to be more flexible so the building can be repurposed if a bank vacates. Many commissioners specifically questioned the exclusion of convenience and personal service establishments (for example, barbershops, beauty parlors, laundries). The commission voted to forward the rezoning to City Council with a recommendation to remove section 3(e) of the proffer statement (the convenience/service exclusion) from the August 12, 2025 proffer package and otherwise recommend approval; the motion and second were recorded and carried.

The commission also voted to initiate TA-25-4, a batch zoning-text amendment for general cleanup and to align several sections of the Winchester zoning ordinance with state law. Staff said more detailed review will occur at the September work session and that most changes are technical or required by state code.

The planning staff provided a residential pipeline update at the meeting, noting active projects including Laurelwood Commons townhomes, a six-unit conversion above a former Rite Aid on Amherst Street, Abrams Crossing lot activity and other multi-family construction. Staff said an interactive GIS map of residential and nonresidential projects is in development and will allow the public to filter projects by status and ward.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Winchester - Planning Commission - 3:00 PM - Aug 19 2025","oneSentenceSummary","On Aug. 19 the commission approved two zoning ordinances updating subdivision and site-plan review procedures, initiated a batch zoning-text amendment, and forwarded a conditional rezoning for 616–632 Cedar Creek Grama to City Council with a recommendation to remove a proffer exclusion for convenience and service establishments.","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},6482871,"Planning commission recommends approval of 8-foot screening fence at CSX storage yard",801,207000,1008000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5602163-e143bccfd57af05cd8c5e857a29ca86a&start=207&end=1008","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5602163-e143bccfd57af05cd8c5e857a29ca86a/thumbnail_207000.jpg","/articles/6482871/Winchester-City/Frederick-County/Virginia/Planning-commission-recommends-approval-of-8-foot-screening-fence-at-CSX-storage-yard","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6482871-681672833fae2039173ffbcce230786a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771024238&Signature=k0Jzp65CgtNVVrrjmDt6W5WG1Jz17XDKssVzAmfFMBDOOPAbslMXwV4OR0KXvlEjEFha5go0hyuD92NDBn-Cw70~NRJ6ZH0FZfCQsF9kPumD9NmSN7hTU1aRbA7CqzFYsuHhoxZ4q-azCRdqicYE8J0vLGhPWgU9N5vc8H6aKLqC22x08qDD2cjNxcS4s4HdqObPEG5GTtr7dVQ32qDtlaLTwwElqd0shl9rnn~GpwXfR~Nz7C1-E-g11zAgr73THQvQN0gGH8Pt1fIjBbvAAcbl5WZYRZP5IuHyCVW8PWR7ATGAfB9PgxOklkPlLXwKXNUU0t6KFPkQXzr9paeDTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Winchester City Planning Commission on Aug. 19 recommended approval of Conditional Use Permit CP25231 to allow an eight-foot screening fence in the front yard of a CSX railroad storage yard and two adjacent city-owned parcels at 421–501 and 521 North Kent Street.

Mr. Benson, a planning staff member, told the commission the proposal would place an eight-foot screening wall where front-yard fencing normally is limited to four feet. The main stated purpose is to screen the CSX storage yard from a new retention-pond green space the city is building nearby. Benson said staff added conditions after a work session to require the city to work with the North End community committee on varying the wall’s height and adding vertical reveals to avoid a long, monotonous appearance. He also said any repair or replacement that results in a height greater than eight feet would require a new conditional use permit.

The motion to recommend approval included those conditions and was seconded. Commissioner Piper raised multiple objections during discussion, saying she worried the city’s approval could set a precedent that would be cited by private property owners seeking similar eight-foot fences. Piper also asked whether the city had sought cleanup or enforcement from CSX and whether the railroad’s storage use was permitted under the property’s CM-1 zoning. Planning staff said CM-1 allows outdoor storage and that parts of the CSX site appear to have existed before current zoning; they also warned that federal preemption affecting railroads limits local land-use control over CSX property.

Other commissioners described the site as untidy and said a screening wall would improve views from the new park. Commissioners and staff repeatedly emphasized the planned collaboration with the North End community for mural artwork and periodic setbacks in the wall design to reduce the pedestrian-scale impact.

A name vote was recorded. Commissioner Piper voted no. Commissioners Ramirez, Williams and Joan Burnett voted yes. The motion carried and the commission recommended approval of CP25231 subject to the stated design and replacement conditions.

The action directs that if the fence ever must be repaired or replaced resulting in a height greater than eight feet it will require a new conditional use permit. Staff also recorded that the city will coordinate with the North End community committee on final design details and height modulation.","On Aug. 19 the Winchester City Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of Conditional Use Permit CP25231 allowing an eight-foot screening fence along the CSX storage yard and two adjacent city-owned lots on North Kent Street, subject to design and replacement conditions and community coordination.","actionData","errors"]

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Planning commission approves zoning updates, forwards rezoning with proffer revisions for Cedar Creek Grama site

Planning commission recommends approval of 8-foot screening fence at CSX storage yard