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Middleburg council adopts zoning text amendment to clarify 'private banking' use
Summary
The Middleburg Town Council voted unanimously to adopt an amendment to Article 2 of the town zoning ordinance to distinguish private banking as a professional office use and clarify which operations are regulated as financial institutions.
Middleburg Town Council voted unanimously to adopt an ordinance amending Article 2 of the town zoning ordinance to clarify the definitions for "financial institution" and "professional office," council members said. The measure passed after a short public hearing and one public comment in favor.
The amendment, introduced by staff and presented to council by Will (staff member), removes ambiguous wording that had made it unclear whether private bankers should be treated the same as branch banks and credit unions. Will told the council the only substantive change was to remove instances of "and/or" for clarity and to treat private banking as a professional office use rather than automatically classifying it as a financial institution.
The clarification drew brief public support from Carter Wiley, who identified himself as owner of Piedmont Properties at the corner of Marshall and Peloton. Wiley told council the change "would afford us a great more tenants" and would help properties zoned for professional use adapt after COVID-19 weakened demand for traditional office tenants.
Council member John Kevin Daley moved adoption of the ordinance; the motion was seconded. Rhonda North, town clerk, recorded a roll-call vote with all members present voting "aye." Vice Mayor Chris Bernard, Council members Pam Curran, John Kevin Daley, Bud Jacobs, Peter Leonard Morgan and Cindy Pearson voted in favor.
The ordinance amendment will change how private banking uses are categorized for zoning purposes; it does not itself alter where any particular bank or office may operate. Will said the change is intended to reduce confusion in interpreting existing zoning language.
Council discussion was brief; no amendments to the draft text were proposed during the meeting. The council meeting packet included the revised draft text and a memo summarizing the minor editorial corrections suggested by the town attorney.
The council adopted the ordinance at the meeting and thanked staff and community members for their input. Staff said they will update zoning guidance documents to reflect the clarified definitions.
