The Fredericksburg Planning & Zoning Commission voted to deny a conditional-use permit and associated site plan for a proposed 21-lot townhome and condominium development called Crestview (New Vista Development LLC), citing discrepancies in the resubmitted plans, an expired earlier approval, and unresolved issues including parking, potential subdivision-waiver limits and the status of an existing residence on the site that may have historic significance.

Applicant P.D. McGinn Jr. (representing New Vista Development LLC) told the commission the development team has resolved prior financial issues, has revised plans and intends to proceed in phases. He said an earlier conditional-use permit approved in 2021 had a two-year expiration and that the project did not commence in time.

Staff reviewed the revised site plan against the city’s current zoning code and the 2024 Comprehensive Plan. Shelby, presenting staff findings, said the earlier council approval in 2021 included specific conditions — a subdivision waiver for a street length and maximum lots off that street, site-plan approval, sidewalks, and a historical-review check for an existing on-site residence. Shelby said the applicant’s new plans contained multiple inconsistencies and that, even if the subdivision waiver were granted for a street longer than 500 feet, the code would limit single-family lots on that street to 15 while the applicant proposed 21 lots.

Neighbors and associations — including the Windcrest Patio Homes Association and the Windcrest Townhomes Association — spoke in opposition during the public hearing. Speakers raised concerns about vegetation removal along the shared property line, noise from amenities (tennis courts, pool), water consumption given local restrictions, retaining-wall stability during construction, and general compatibility with the recently adopted comprehensive plan. Several attendees provided written protests to the commission.

Commissioners discussed the expired status of the earlier CUP, the changed zoning and density rules in the updated code, outstanding engineering and parking questions and the absence of required historical review for the existing house. One commissioner said approving an incomplete project without key technical details would not provide adequate assurances to the public or the city.

A motion to deny the conditional-use permit and site plan passed; commissioners recorded the application as denied and noted the denial will be scheduled for final action by city council at its next appropriate meeting. Staff reminded the applicant a council override would require a supermajority.

Why it matters: The denial halts the developer’s immediate ability to build the proposed townhomes and condominiums; it also underscores the commission’s reliance on complete, code-compliant plan sets and on current comprehensive-plan and zoning standards when reviewing resubmitted projects.