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Neighbors press commission over selective downzoning; commissioners consider map refinements for several parcels
Summary
Residents asked the commission to convert streets and parcels to RS to preserve single‑family character; commissioners debated whether to apply RT (like‑for‑like) or allow RX/R2 transitions for specific larger parcels and decided to withhold a recommendation while staff and neighbors continue outreach.
Multiple residents and property owners used the UDO public hearing to contest proposed map changes affecting Southeast/East Street, Gardner Street, Broad Street, Sperryville Pike and other parcels; the commission discussed several property owner requests and did not finalize map changes.
Residents of Southeast and East Street asked the commission to reclassify their blocks as RS to reflect the current single‑family character and to block potential townhouse development. Jessica Amos, speaking for Southeast Street, said the street "is a very important street, especially for tourism" and that many houses are single‑family homes that should be protected. Several petitioners had signed requests to have portions of Southeast Street rezoned to RS; staff said properties whose owners did not sign would come in as RT (like‑for‑like) under the current proposal.
Property owners near Broad Street and Sperryville Pike asked that larger R2 parcels be rezoned RX to preserve the ability to develop multifamily or higher‑density projects in the future. Planning Director Andrew Hopewell described specific parcels off Broad Street (one identified as 1810 Broad Street) and an area between Colonel Jamieson Boulevard and Sperryville Pike where owners requested RX. Commissioner discussion weighed contiguity, floodplain constraints and access; commissioners noted constraints such as floodplain coverage and the need for traffic impact analyses if future development increases trips more than 15 percent.
Commissioners debated a consistent approach: several members said the broader R2 areas should be mapped to RT as a like‑for‑like transition and allow individual rezoning requests later, while others supported retaining RX for particular large parcels with known development intent. Commissioner Fitzsimmons said he favored bringing the larger R2 areas in as RT (like‑for‑like) and treating the one large parcel as an exception; another commissioner recommended making all comparable parcels consistent to avoid disparate zoning "in the middle of a residential area." Planning staff noted one contested parcel is about 1.81 acres and that site constraints (rear‑loaded townhome requirements and curb cut limitations) would naturally limit density.
Residents and commissioners asked for more time for neighbors to reach consensus; the commission agreed to defer a recommendation and forward the draft and public comment to town council while staff pursues additional outreach and posts updated maps on the department site. Hopewell said staff will double‑check that the online map matches the planning commission's work session changes and will bring map refinements back for review.
