Planning Commission recommends zoning change to preserve some nonconforming single‑family homes in B‑2 and M‑1 districts

The Harrisonburg Planning Commission voted Jan. 8 to recommend a zoning ordinance amendment that would allow certain nonconforming single‑family detached dwellings in the B‑2 (general business) and M‑1 (light industrial) districts to continue as residential uses under specified limits.

Planning staff told the commission the amendment would let an otherwise nonconforming single‑family detached dwelling that has been converted to contain multiple dwelling units or increased in occupancy remain a nonconforming single‑family dwelling provided the total square footage of the structure is unchanged and the occupancy is limited to one family or two unrelated individuals. Staff recommended approval and said the change was intended to address a small number of existing properties — including a property on North Liberty Street considered at an earlier meeting — while maintaining the city’s land‑use goals.

The measure matters…