Proposed NDD rewrite would 'expressly grandfather' M1 uses in Sider Hill; commissioners debate expansion caps and sign, setback and parking rules

Winchester City planning staff on Sept. 2 presented TA‑25‑5, a package of Neighborhood Design District (NDD) ordinance updates and a companion comprehensive‑plan amendment focused on the Sider Hill area and related NDDs such as Cedar Valley. Staff said the package is intended to clarify inconsistent language, preserve neighborhood design goals and respond to concerns raised by large property owners and nearby residents.

The most consequential policy proposal would “expressly grandfather” certain preexisting M‑1 (light industrial) uses inside the Sider Hill NDD so those uses would be permitted rather than treated as legally nonconforming. Under the draft language, an existing M‑1 use established by the ordinance’s effective date (as discussed, staff used the Sept. 2 meeting date as the reference) would be allowed to continue and, by right, to expand up to 10% of gross floor area. Expansions beyond that up to 20% would be possible through a conditional use permit (CUP). The staff presentation and subsequent discussion made clear that the 10% and 20% figures are under active consideration and that property owners and the PED committee have advocated for greater flexibility.

Commissioners pressed staff for more data and clearer thresholds. Several commissioners said a 10% by‑right cap may be too small relative to the very large…