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Council approves conditional use permit for three-unit conversion on Campbell Avenue
Summary
Lynchburg City Council approved a conditional use permit to allow an existing Campbell Avenue building to operate as a three-unit multifamily dwelling, with conditions that the structure meet applicable building codes and permitting after a prior stop-work order.
Lynchburg City Council approved a resolution granting a conditional use permit to allow an existing building at 2810 Campbell Avenue to be used as a three-unit multifamily dwelling. The council voted by voice, recorded on the agenda as 7–0 in favor.
Planning staff (presented by Ms. Verschaisen) told council that the property is zoned B-1 limited business and that multifamily uses require a conditional use permit in that zone. The property’s future land use is listed as "mixed use," and staff reported that the site contains a structure previously used for commercial purposes, adjoining residential uses and parking. Work converting the building was stopped by a city stop-work order on June 28, 2024; at that time two dwelling units had been completed and a third was in progress.
Amy Sipe of AccuPoint Surveying and Design, representing the applicant, described the project and said the owner had sought professional services after the stop-work order. Sipe said the completed work was of "very good construction" and that recommended corrections include architectural plans, stabilizing steep slopes, improving ingress and egress, finishing a partially built deck and cleaning overgrown vegetation. "This building has been somewhat of a blighted building in this area. It would bring 3 additional dwelling units to an area that has struggled to provide affordable housing," Sipe told the council.
Council member Reid asked whether windows or additional egress openings would be required for fire safety. Sipe and staff replied that the conversion must undergo a full building-code review and that the inspections process could require windows or additional doors to ensure each unit has an independent means of escape if a primary access point is blocked.
The council approved the conditional use permit without changing the zoning, a decision staff said would preserve future commercial use options for the site. The vote on the motion was recorded on the record as passing 7–0.
Staff and the applicant must complete required building-permit submissions and inspections before the units may be occupied.
