Winchester committee forwards Cider Hill rezoning, text changes and comprehensive-plan update after industry concerns

The Planning and Economic Development Committee on Tuesday recommended approval of a package to create the Cider Hill Neighborhood Design District, amend NDD zoning language and update the city's comprehensive plan map for the area.

The committee voted to forward three linked items: a text amendment to the NDD regulations (O-2025-27) that clarifies how existing industrial (M1) users are treated, a city-initiated rezoning of 97 parcels to the NDD (O-2025-17), and a comprehensive-plan amendment (R-2025-37) that would add certain vacant parcels west of the existing district to the Cider Hill concept. The motions carried after extended public comment and discussion among committee members and staff.

The action matters because it changes how longstanding industrial businesses in the northern part of Winchester may expand, while putting a planning framework in place for future redevelopment in a corridor the city identifies as a redevelopment catalyst.

During public comment, Christopher Myers, an associate land-use and zoning attorney with Walsh Colucci representing Winchester Cold Storage, asked the committee to note his client's opposition to any rezoning of its property at 605 North Loudoun Street and to the proposed comprehensive plan change affecting that site. "Our client desires to retain its ability to expand and intensify its use…