[{"_1":2,"_94":-5,"_95":-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",6461761,"mediaKeyId","5822924-6618ceb86730ad0c2c6e1377219c0a8b","parentId",5822924,"title","Winchester City Council approves series of ordinances, easements and land-use actions","audioSeconds",195,"startMs",821000,"endMs",1016000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5822924-6618ceb86730ad0c2c6e1377219c0a8b&start=821&end=1016","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5822924-6618ceb86730ad0c2c6e1377219c0a8b/thumbnail_821000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6461761/Winchester-City/Frederick-County/Virginia/Winchester-City-Council-approves-series-of-ordinances-easements-and-land-use-actions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461761-c0fb3b37d30420d108c76a9bbd6b6776/orig.mp4?Expires=1770921251&Signature=fes9CV~4-qvW1Dkl73Cuw8IW4u3OZOLl2o1MuFkK5rozXatHCGSWGwgE6bqWQohbjjh7aNhcAM~SAVqjuaYApnWmpH0gjl0znq1oqJZlyJZDVZT76UjuM~iTy9X74ufYB7pFFbh0m9RHxKtBec~xBpMuSGc-9Puk7bFm9kfItcUCwkuunZXJg5v~yOj3esKzuhErI9WMbesDbSX3vf3ZIOGrHbG82mifbGNVSFHvhbIjnwLqtDfj1QsGiMfuTeMw15nJrPDeTW0ETh6NtHQ-Cqn8UHHlLcrQPK4umhsjLzfUxQImipEnSfeSHjup3~OnchwSLPWyiJXYGPNEVyxvGw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Winchester","date","2025-09-23T00:00:00Z","article","Winchester City Council approved a package of ordinances, easements, zoning changes and bond authorizations during its Sept. 23 meeting, voting by roll call on a series of second readings and companion resolutions that city staff said reflected no substantive changes since prior briefings.

The actions approved included an amendment to the city’s enterprise zone, second readings of easements for a stoop and a trail across city parcels, conditional use approval for an 8‑foot screening fence at the CSX storage yard, a conditional rezoning for properties on Cedar Creek, amendments to subdivision and zoning administrative procedures and authorizations to issue general‑obligation public improvement bonds and refunding bonds.

Why it matters: The measures adjust the city’s land‑use and development rules, clear title/uses on several parcels and set the city’s near‑term borrowing plan. City staff said the bond sale timing and borrowing costs had improved since the previous briefing.

Among the items approved were:
- Resolution (2025‑31) to amend the City of Winchester’s enterprise zone program; presented by Jeff Bittner of the Economic Development Authority; motion carried on roll call. (Second reading/public hearing closed; no public speakers.)
- Ordinance O‑2025‑24, second reading, granting a stoop easement at 222 South Kent Street to allow construction of a stoop in the city right‑of‑way; presented by Kelly Henshall; council confirmed the easement will not affect Americans with Disabilities Act access; motion carried on roll call. (One public commenter asked about ADA impacts; staff confirmed no impact.)
- Ordinance O‑2025‑25, second reading, granting a trail easement to Frederick County across city‑owned parcels at tax map numbers 548‑119, 548‑121 and 548‑122; presented by Kelly Henshall; no public comment; motion carried on roll call.
- Ordinance O‑2025‑26, second reading, authorizing the issuance and sale of general obligation public improvement bonds in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $26,000,000 to finance capital projects; presented by Mary Blow; staff updated council that interest cost estimates moved from the prior 4.1–4.3% range into roughly 3.8–4.0% as of the previous day; motion carried on roll call.
- Conditional use permit to allow installation of an 8‑foot screening fence in the front yard of the CSX railroad storage yard and two adjacent city‑owned lots on North Kent Street; presented by Sean Benson; the fence will include precast concrete panels and is planned for a community‑designed mural; council approved the CUP on roll call.
- O‑2025‑23 / RZ‑25‑3, second reading and approval of a conditional rezoning of approximately 1.32 acres at 616 and 632 Cedar Creek (map numbers provided in staff materials) with use restrictions and signed proffer statement from the applicant; presented by David Stewart; motion carried on roll call.
- TA‑25‑1 (O‑2025‑21), second reading to amend the city subdivision ordinance to authorize the planning director and designees to review preliminary and final plats, shorten review periods for certain resubmittals, and update procedures to reflect recent Virginia law; staff noted language allowing an applicant to petition the circuit court if staff does not act within 90 days for a preliminary plat; motion carried on roll call.
- TA‑25‑2 (O‑2025‑22), second reading to amend sections 19‑6 and 19‑7 of the Winchester zoning ordinance regarding administrative approval of site plans to reflect Virginia code; motion carried on roll call.
- Resolution (regular agenda, 2025‑30) providing for issuance and sale of general obligation public improvement bonds not to exceed $26,500,000 and refunding bonds not to exceed $1,500,000 and related bond details and continuing disclosure; presented by Mary Blow as the companion to prior ordinance actions; motion carried on roll call.

All items were approved on voice or roll‑call votes recorded during the meeting. Councilors who moved or seconded motions on the record included Vice Mayor Tagnisi, Councilor Fox, Councilor Newcomb and Mayor Beach, among others; clerks conducted roll calls for each ordinance and resolution. Staff indicated no substantive changes to the measures since they were last before the relevant committees or prior meetings.

The consent agenda was also approved without items removed. Council concluded the meeting after receiving routine monthly departmental reports.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Winchester - City Council Regular Meeting - 6:00 PM - Sep 23 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council unanimously approved multiple second‑reading ordinances, easements, a conditional use permit and companion bond resolutions at its Sept. 23 meeting; items include enterprise zone updates, property easements, zoning amendments and bond authorizations.","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},6461751,"Public speakers push stormwater concerns and campaign finance reform; sheriff reports rising workload",432,1636000,2068000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5822924-6618ceb86730ad0c2c6e1377219c0a8b&start=1636&end=2068","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5822924-6618ceb86730ad0c2c6e1377219c0a8b/thumbnail_1636000.jpg","/articles/6461751/Winchester-City/Frederick-County/Virginia/Public-speakers-push-stormwater-concerns-and-campaign-finance-reform-sheriff-reports-rising-workload","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461751-63664346a549202b8369afe462aa82bd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770921251&Signature=fhiO7Y50fgWJ~pMHF5GlTLq-anmsaivWEdzBkqzNjEd52XjOP4BTVCLaocdNh-ci3B7e1NT0zkAm4FZFLy9vj9qewNmebSktXQ3uFM8dp6Cx2taVp72D1~7VMm741YYzCZNRA5Jw79nIL~5yx4iIb5wjR9-n8zSeW2b11DLIcADizJiKGF~11bHfwzKHm11W59Cvm6QHK3BNs9x1CoM9N8MrJQl88XtrlZeIK~IiBk9PA8ipp72~QLskKKTZtHvXzXUTD6zqBBkiH3N9C-TmaZRKPKUEtbXSp9t6Q3ezE-poPdIpfewAmwIJGSsWjmpnHQBnwsEI8UrM74wGOp4hmA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several members of the public spoke during the council’s public‑comment period on Sept. 23, raising neighborhood impacts from stormwater work, urging campaign finance reform and offering tributes to outgoing city manager. Winchester City Sheriff William Sales also used his time to give a midyear operational update.

Resident Arthur Cristiano of Fairmont Avenue said stormwater construction between North Avenue and Wick Street has disrupted transit access to his house, led to missed deliveries and resulted in a missed trash pickup. Cristiano said drivers detouring around the construction appear to be traveling much faster and that stormwater originating on a nearby commercial property has repeatedly entered his backyard. He also said he is ineligible for a stormwater fee discount because his parcel zoning does not meet the discount criteria and expressed opposition to a proposed development called “Cider Hill,” saying the ground and infrastructure do not support four‑story buildings and alleging long‑term illegal dumping by a nearby commercial operator. Those claims were presented as his assertions to the council; councilors did not take immediate action during the meeting.

Jackson Kidwell, a resident of Cross Junction, urged the council to support a forthcoming local campaign finance reform resolution. Kidwell argued that unlimited contributions undermine voter influence and said he hoped the council’s action would encourage broader change at the state level; the resolution was not on the Sept. 23 agenda and would be presented separately.

Sheriff William Sales offered a midyear report during the public‑comment segment and noted increasing operational demands. Sales said the office served roughly 7,000 papers in 2023 and about 10,000 in 2024; with four months remaining in the year, the office had served more than 8,000 papers and projected it may serve 14,000–15,000 papers for the year. He reported more than 22,000 transport miles for inmate and custody transports, 44 arrests originating from bench warrants at the courthouse, and that the courthouse had processed large volumes of citizens. Sales said his office had conducted multiple extraditions — to Puerto Rico, Georgia, Florida and Texas — and that court sessions had run over 93 times, producing overtime and operational strain. He said a more detailed statistics presentation will be provided later in the year.

Jenny McDonald offered remarks praising outgoing City Manager Dan for his leadership and for connecting city programs and neighborhoods; her remarks were presented as personal appreciation.

The council did not take formal action on the public comments during the meeting. Several speakers asked only for council attention or future action; staff or councilors did not announce specific follow‑up measures during the Sept. 23 session.","During public comment at the Sept. 23 Winchester City Council meeting, residents raised stormwater construction impacts and development concerns, a speaker urged local campaign finance reform, and Sheriff William Sales gave a midyear operational update citing rising service volumes and extraditions.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":90,"_53":91,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":92,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":93,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6461754,"Council approves 8‑foot screening fence, North End mural committee to shape design","/articles/6461754/Winchester-City/Frederick-County/Virginia/Council-approves-8foot-screening-fence-North-End-mural-committee-to-shape-design","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461754-2e2813706378cc96c7971ef262a8a0b9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770921251&Signature=FCD--jS~G5pEYgMZYBY3gmOkW6Ux7onoY5LHXieafH5KBmsPbraUgA4ydg3qckzdMrwUx1DTIgdeVmsxFLO1oAvaoC-oos8RPPX6zGDf4pH7k1Q-sMWqEvcfd-2R-kG1uTGW63ka8VaO685T~-zzbFV7gLeADd6zGu0CS5mLYHiaVmpB4cGCnxPmnikCTqh7xGV-yRxFgp3V0K9TjbFcdNhr9E8aanR9VvI1uSKMmNTKgfYaXfeaya8-7YgNvg2yn-xlTu0o-Cahkpn-CxyMchvTk9mxGZJV~NykvoUVrNTDUOV2wAKdpbY4pA84~3rWODzC~wjtldR98DWXJLD6Rg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Winchester City Council approved a conditional use permit on Sept. 23 to allow an eight‑foot screening fence in the front yard of the CSX railroad storage yard and two adjacent city‑owned lots on North Kent Street. The city’s planning staff said the fence is intended to screen a railroad storage area from surrounding properties while allowing a community mural on a portion of the fence.

Why it matters: The fence requires a CUP because eight‑foot fences are not permitted in front yards under current zoning. Council approval allows the city to proceed with a final zoning permit and the mural committee’s design work.

Planning staff described the proposal as part of stormwater projects in the northern end of the city and said two stormwater retention ponds are nearing completion. The fence will use superior precast concrete panels with a stucco design that staff said would better facilitate painting for the mural. Staff said the fence would not affect the functioning of the stormwater facilities or city operations on the lots.

Staff presented four proposed conditions attached to the CUP: a zoning fence permit will be required; staff and the project committee should consider varying the height below the 8‑foot maximum to break up a monotone façade; the fence shall not exceed 8 feet; and any future repair that changes the fence height would require a new CUP. Council approved the permit on roll call after a public hearing with no speakers.

The project team said the fence design is being coordinated with a committee made up of North End community members to design and paint the mural. Staff listed as next steps finalization of the fence design, coordination with the mural committee and securing a zoning fence permit. The planning department will return required permit documentation to the council clerk and proceed with public‑facing coordination per the CUP conditions.

Speakers at the meeting who presented or answered questions on the item included Sean Benson of the planning department and members of the city council. The motion to approve was made and seconded on the record; the council clerk called the roll and the motion carried.","Council granted a conditional use permit to allow an eight‑foot screening fence along the CSX storage yard and adjacent city‑owned lots; staff outlined four CUP conditions and said the fence will be designed to accommodate a community mural.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Winchester City Council approves series of ordinances, easements and land-use actions

Public speakers push stormwater concerns and campaign finance reform; sheriff reports rising workload

Council approves 8‑foot screening fence, North End mural committee to shape design