Commission approves rezoning and build‑to modification for Waynesboro high school expansion; adds setback condition for Pine Avenue

The Waynesboro Planning Commission approved a zoning map amendment to rezone multiple Waynesboro School Board parcels along West Main Street to the Central Business (CB) District and granted a conditional use permit to modify the CB district’s build‑to line requirement for the high school’s second‑phase renovation.

Staff told the commission the rezoning is necessary to permit planned three‑story classroom wings and connector buildings that exceed height and dimensional standards in the property’s current residential and local‑business districts. Staff said the main classroom wing and connector will be roughly 50 feet tall; RG‑5 and LB districts limit building heights to about 35 feet, while CB allows up to 100 feet. The school division has voluntarily proffered a 75‑foot height cap for the site to limit potential scale.

Staff also described the CB district’s 70% minimum build‑to requirement — a rule that encourages buildings to “hug” the sidewalk — and explained the school’s concept plan cannot meet the build‑to line in all places. The school’s concept shows a one‑story media center set back roughly 3 feet from the back of sidewalk and a three‑story classroom wing set back about 17 feet. Staff recommended approval of both the rezoning and the CUP with the school’s volunteered commitments, including maintaining existing parking.

Commissioners heard neighborhood concerns about the character and scale facing Pine Avenue and the VPAS building. Kayler Kennedy, a Pine Avenue resident, asked whether the VPAS and administration buildings (included in the rezoning) would be redeveloped; staff and representatives said the voluntary proffer limiting uses to the Waynesboro City Schools would prevent non‑school uses unless a new rezoning or CUP was later requested.

Dr. Castle, speaking for the school, told the commission the division supports the rezoning and said there were no immediate plans to redevelop the VPAS/administration buildings but acknowledged residents’ concerns. Engineer Ryan Bossard requested clarity on drafting a setback condition; commissioners and staff agreed to add a condition to the CUP requiring that any new building or addition fronting Pine Avenue not be closer to the sidewalk than the existing front‑facing building(s) on Pine.

The commission approved the rezoning request; the transcript records that Commissioner Stuart abstained on that vote. The commission also approved the conditional use permit modifying the build‑to requirement with the added Pine‑Avenue setback condition; one commissioner later recorded an abstention during the CUP vote as well. Staff will forward the recommendation and documentation to City Council for final action.