Winchester planning committee advances multiple conditional-use permits and easements, hears housing pipeline update

The Winchester City Planning & Economic Development Committee on April 24 voted to forward a set of conditional-use permit (CUP) requests and three easement ordinances to the full City Council with recommendations for approval, and heard a residential development pipeline update.

The committee recommended approval for: a 472-square-foot classroom addition for Fremont Street Day Nursery at 533 Fremont Street (CUP 25-125); a conditional use permit to allow the Youth Development Center to operate at 302 South Loudoun Street (CU 25-120); a karaoke/entertainment establishment at 1161–1169 Berryville Avenue (CU 25-137); two attached three‑bedroom townhomes on South Works/South Park Street (CP 25-145); and the conversion of a ground‑floor commercial building at 104 South Indian Alley into three two‑level residential units with eight parking spaces (CUP 25-146). Committee members also advanced three easement ordinances related to utility relocations and an ADA ramp and heard a residential pipeline report from city staff.

Why it matters: The permits and easements affect land use and housing supply in Winchester’s central and near‑downtown areas, create new child‑care and youth‑service access points, and authorize utility changes tied to school and private development projects. Many items will next go to full City Council for final action.

Day‑care addition (533 Fremont Street). Staff said Fremont Street Day Nursery opened before citywide zoning and that the current proposal is for a single classroom addition of 472 square feet at the rear of the building. Planning staff noted the structure is in an HR‑1 (limited high‑density residential) district where daycare is allowed only by CUP, and that the proposed addition does not trigger additional parking because it is under the threshold described in the zoning rules (less than 1,000 square feet and under 25% of total building area). A committee member moved to recommend approval subject to general conformity with the submitted site plan and floor plans; the motion carried.

Youth Development Center (302 South Loudoun Street). Planning staff presented a request from the Youth Development Center to relocate from a southern industrial site to downtown, where the use would be conforming but requires a CUP in the B‑1 central business district. Nancy Tilson Simback, representing the applicant, said the move would place services in a more centralized location and that she is “working with the city” on transportation access; she reported seeing three school buses pass the proposed site and said she hopes the city will designate a drop‑off there so fewer children would need to walk. Committee members recommended the application forward to City Council with a positive recommendation.

Studio Lounge & Karaoke (1161–1169 Berryville Avenue). Applicant Delena Barto described plans for three private karaoke rooms plus a front public area, on‑site beverage service and a small outdoor smoking bench. She said the business will install interior sound‑damping measures and that she will “apply for our liquor license” because of the planned karaoke business model, but emphasized daytime, family‑oriented programming (“faith and family first”) and a planned “kiddie oki” daytime offering. Staff noted the property sits within 200 feet of a residential district for measurement purposes, which is why the CUP is required; the committee recommended approval with staff conditions addressing hours and other controls.

Residential conversions and infill (South Works/South Park Street; South Indian Alley). David Stewart presented a Key Construction application to subdivide a South Works Street lot and construct two attached three‑bedroom townhomes; the proposal shows two off‑street parking spaces per unit, consistent with zoning for 3‑bedroom units, and a 31‑foot front setback. The committee recommended forwarding the item with conditions including administrative subdivision and site plan approvals. A separate Key Construction application for 104 South Indian Alley would add a second floor to a former dry‑cleaners building and convert the ground floor to residential, producing three two‑level row units and eight parking spaces; staff noted the Board of Architectural Review has reviewed the exterior changes. Committee members recommended approval with conditions including BAR review and administrative site‑plan approval.

Easements. The committee advanced three ordinance actions: • O‑25‑11: locate water and sanitary sewer easements on property owned by Abrams Crossing LLC at 601 Jubilee Drive; the easements are being relocated as part of townhouse construction and the developer will dedicate new easements after utility work is complete. Recommended to Council with approval. • O‑2025‑12: grant an easement to the property owner at 601 Millwood Avenue to allow construction of an ADA access ramp and handrail within the city right‑of‑way associated with a Sheetz reconstruction; staff said the ramp would not affect the existing public sidewalk. Recommended to Council with approval. • O‑2025‑13: vacate an existing waterline easement at 190 Mustang Lane (Middletown) so the school system can relocate a main for new classroom placement; staff said the existing main is a 6‑inch line serving the school and will be relocated as part of the school project. Recommended to Council with approval.

Residential pipeline report. Senior planning staff Sean Denton told the committee the city has seven projects under construction. Highlights included the completion of most phases at the Creekside lofts (one building remains to receive a final certificate of occupancy), Harrison Plaza II with its three main residential buildings erected and commercial building not yet started, and progress at Laurelwood Commons where early townhomes are serving temporarily as a sales office. Winchester Commons permits were withdrawn for lack of progress; Cameron Square downtown has active building permits. Denton said the Linden Drive PUD near the hospital now has a site plan for townhomes and single‑family portions and that a major subdivision application is anticipated in the coming months. He reported no recent updates on Winchester Grove.

Committee process and next steps. Nearly every agenda item was forwarded to the full City Council with recommendations for approval; committee votes were unanimous in favor where recorded. Staff and applicants will prepare required administrative site‑plan and subdivision materials, BAR approvals where applicable, and the City Council will consider the recommended ordinances and CUPs at its next session. The committee adjourned at the conclusion of the agenda.

Ending: Materials and full applications for each CUP and ordinance will be included in the City Council packet; interested parties can consult the city’s Planning Department for the finalized staff reports and recommended conditions.