Planning staff: CSX requires 8‑foot fence between new residences and railroad; chain‑link, vinyl‑coated option recommended

Planning staff told the Winchester City Planning Commission that CSX requires an eight‑foot fence between residential developments and the railroad and recommended conditions if a conditional use permit is granted.

The recommendation would require the applicant to obtain a zoning fence permit, limit the eight‑foot fencing to the exact linear distance shown on the submitted plan and make the fence permanent while it remains in that location. "The fence shall not exceed 8 feet tall, and that in perpetuity, as long as it is within that exact linear distance that they're proposing today," planning staff said during the meeting.

Why it matters: the requirement affects how a proposed residential project adjacent to the railroad will be built and maintained, could affect how visible walls read from different street grades, and could require the applicant to return for another conditional use permit if they seek to expand the fenced area.

Planning staff said the fence would be located at the parking‑lot level rather than at street level in the area under discussion and that final height could vary where the grade changes; staff said they will check the site plan and provide clearer drawings for the public hearing. Commissioners asked whether the fence would be permanent; staff replied it would.

Applicant representative David Frank, identified as with Pinone, confirmed that CSX insisted on chain‑link fencing during earlier negotiations. "But in the meantime, yes, the chain link is dictated by CSX," Frank said, adding the project team plans to use vinyl coating on the chain link "to make the chain link look as good as it can." Frank also said the conditional use permit would be enforceable only while a short segment of Wick Street remains a public street and said an eventual abandonment of Wick Street could remove the need for the CUP.

Planning staff noted alternatives would require further review: if the applicant sought to expand the fenced area or change the fence height beyond the approved linear distance, the commission would require a new CUP. Staff also said they would require a separate zoning fence permit and that administrative checks would be needed for any future changes.

Next steps: staff said it will pull the site plan to confirm exact fence placement and height changes and present updated materials at the public hearing so the commission can make an informed decision.