Winchester City Council voted Tuesday to adopt a multi-parcel rezoning that converts 93 parcels totaling approximately 92 acres in the Cedar Valley area to the Neighborhood Design District (NDD).

The ordinance reclassifies parcels along Valley Avenue, Holtz Drive, Ballard Drive, Weems Lane and other nearby streets from several existing districts — including Highway Commercial (B-2) and various residential districts — into NDD zoning. City staff and the applicant said the zoning change implements a neighborhood design overlay established in the comprehensive plan.

Why it matters: The NDD designation was created to carry out neighborhood design district policies in the comprehensive plan. Rezoning to NDD will change allowable uses and design standards for the affected parcels and guide future development consistent with the plan’s neighborhood design objectives.

What staff and council said
Planning staff described the rezoning as the final step in the Cedar Valley neighborhood design district effort. Mike Ruddy, on behalf of staff, told council the rezoning follows prior council approvals: the comprehensive plan amendment last November and the NDD zoning ordinance earlier this year. Ruddy acknowledged an extensive public-notification and vetting process that included a neighborhood advisory committee and multiple public reviews.

A single public comment from a local business, Malloy Toyota, was included in the agenda packet and recognized in the record. Council members who spoke in support praised the lengthy public process and moved the ordinance to final adoption.

What the council approved and next steps
The rezoning ordinance (O-2025-16 / RZ-2025-01) was approved on second reading and adopted at this meeting; staff said the action completes the neighborhood design district application for Cedar Valley. The zoning change will take effect according to the ordinance’s effective date and will be applied when permits or proposals for affected parcels are considered.