The Winchester City Council held a regular meeting on September 9, 2025, addressing several key agenda items, including financial updates and a proposed zoning change.

The meeting commenced with a discussion on the city's bond ratings, highlighting the successful sale of a triple-A rated geo bond. City officials expressed gratitude for the loyalty of bondholders, indicating a strong financial position for Winchester. This item concluded with no questions from council members, and the bond matter will return for further consideration in two weeks.

Following this, the council moved to agenda item 12.7, which involved the first reading of an ordinance to conditionally rezone approximately 1.32 acres of land located at 6616 and 632 Cedar Creek Grade. The proposal seeks to change the zoning from Residential Office (RO1) with a Corridor Enhancement (CE) overlay to Highway Commercial (B2) with a CE overlay. This change is intended to facilitate the development of a bank on the site.

Representatives for the applicant, including Tim Stow, presented the case for the rezoning. They noted that the current zoning restricts bank uses to conditional permits, prompting the request for a change to B2 zoning. The applicant initially proposed a list of restricted uses to ensure that the property would only be used for banking purposes. However, following feedback from city staff and the Planning Commission, the applicant revised the proposal to allow for additional potential uses in the future, should the bank vacate the premises.

The site is surrounded by single-family zoning to the north and has a history of conditional rezoning in the area. The council reviewed renderings of the proposed structure and discussed access points to Cedar Creek Grade, including a potential entrance opposite a private street that serves an adjacent office complex.

The meeting concluded with a summary of the discussions, emphasizing the importance of the proposed zoning change for future development in the area. The council will revisit the bond matter and the zoning ordinance in upcoming meetings, continuing to engage with community stakeholders on these significant issues.