Committee recommends approval for conditional use permit to convert 214 S. Braddock to four-bedroom rental

The Winchester City Development Committee voted to recommend approval of a conditional use permit to convert the ground-floor nonresidential unit at 214 South Braddock Street into a single-family rental with four bedrooms.

The application, identified in the meeting transcript variously as “CUP 205230” and later as “CUP 25-230,” was described by applicant David Lohman. Lohman said the structure has housed offices and other nonresidential uses for many years and that recent attempts to secure retail tenants have failed, prompting the owner to pursue conversion to a single-family rental. Lohman said the building is set back a few feet from the street with a covered porch, the other half of the duplex has been residential for many years, and there is room for off-street parking in the rear on gravel accessed from South Indian Alley.

Lohman told the committee that a 10-foot easement crosses the rear of the property to provide neighbor access to parking, which limits space for additional green area. He also said the site sits in a transition area between commercial and residential uses and cited the nearby Children’s Discovery Museum and 50 50 Tap House as examples of adjacent commercial activity. He said the proposal follows the comprehensive plan’s guidance for neighborhood stabilization.

Committee members asked no substantive follow-up questions at the hearing. A committee member moved to recommend approval of the conditional use permit for conversion of the ground-floor nonresidential use to residential in the B‑1 District at 214 South Braddock Street; the motion carried by voice vote.

Votes at a glance - Approval of minutes (September 25 meeting):…