Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Rezoning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
City council approves rezoning for 302 West Bruce Street to R‑8
Summary
Harrisonburg City Council unanimously rezoned a small house at 302 West Bruce Street from R‑2 to R‑8 to bring lot area into conformance and allow the owner to complete renovations.
Harrisonburg City Council on June 10 approved a rezoning request for a 5,400‑square‑foot parcel at 302 West Bruce Street, moving the property from the R‑2 residential district to R‑8. The council voted unanimously to adopt the rezoning after a brief public hearing and staff presentation.
The change, requested by property owner Paul C. Reiner, will allow the lot to meet the minimum lot‑area requirement in the R‑8 district (as small as 2,800 square feet for a single‑family detached house) and help bring the renovated house closer to conformity with current zoning rules. Reiner told the council he plans to finish a first‑floor bedroom and bathroom and renovate the house with the aim of selling it as a conforming single‑family home.
Planning staff said the parcel lies at the edge of an area designated Neighborhood Residential in the long‑term land use map, which supports a mixture of housing types and densities. The staff report and the planning commission recommended approval; the planning commission voted 6–0 in favor. The council’s motion carried on a roll‑call vote with all members present voting aye.
Council members praised the renovation and noted the added first‑floor bedroom and bathroom would help accommodate multigenerational households and improve accessibility. No members of the public spoke against the application; the property owner spoke in favor during the public hearing.
The approval does not remove existing nonconforming setback conditions for the house, but staff said the rezoning would bring the lot area into conformance with the zoning ordinance if developed as a single‑family dwelling in the R‑8 district.
Reiner said the work already under way includes new siding and soffits and that the intent is to complete the interior renovations to market the house as a conforming property.
The council’s approval was limited to the rezoning request; any future subdivision or additional building permits will be subject to standard city review and permits.
