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Planning staff propose batch zoning-text amendments covering M1 uses, ADA parking, cottage housing and short-term rentals
Summary
Winchester planning staff presented TA-25-4, a batch zoning-text amendment proposing targeted changes to M1 permitted uses, cottage housing rules, ADA parking references, short-term rental provisions and landscape-area wording in the zoning ordinance.
City planning staff presented a batch zoning-text amendment labeled TA-25-4 that would bundle several relatively small amendments to the Winchester Zoning Ordinance and related sections for initiation and public hearing.
Staff described several components of the batch amendment. The M1 industrial permitted-uses section would be amended to explicitly prohibit asbestos manufacturing (staff said federal law effectively prohibits such activity and the local code should reflect that). Cottage housing language would be clarified to remove ambiguous cross-references and provide a clearer list of the ordinance’s requirements.
Staff also proposed removing local language that suggested the planning director could waive on-site ADA parking requirements if required ADA spaces existed in the public right-of-way; planners said ADA parking is governed by federal law and the city’s building official should coordinate on ADA issues rather than the zoning administrator unilaterally waiving requirements.
On short-term rentals, staff outlined changes to align local rules with recent state code updates. Virginia code now provides exemptions in some cases (for example, certain licensed real-estate professionals) from local registration/licensing requirements, but exempt units must still meet local zoning standards. Staff also noted a state change clarifying that subleasing for short-term rentals is permitted with explicit property-owner permission, and the city’s code will be updated to reflect that.
Staff characterized the batch amendment as procedural and mostly ministerial; several sections also include language cleanups to landscape-area provisions and other housekeeping matters. Planning staff said the commission will be asked to initiate the amendment at the commission’s next regular meeting and proceed through the normal resolution and public hearing process.
Commissioners had few substantive questions and were informed the neighborhood-design-district (NDD) ordinance changes will be handled separately and are expected back for additional minor adjustments later in the fall.
