Lynchburg council backs boundary amendments to two enterprise zones to focus incentives on developable parcels

Lynchburg City Council on a voice vote voted to adopt a resolution authorizing staff to submit amendments to the city's Enterprise Zone boundaries for Zones 2 and 46.

Marjette Upsher, director of Economic Development and Tourism, told the council the changes are the result of "several years of analysis to ensure the zones remain aligned with our economic development goals and state program requirements." She said the city is removing publicly owned parcels that are ineligible for incentives and adding private properties positioned for redevelopment, while staying within the statutory limit that enterprise zones may not exceed 7% of the city's land area.

Upsher said the Enterprise Zone program functions as "an incentive overlay and does not impact land use or zoning," and that the adjustments follow a "take one out, put one in" approach for mature zones. She told council the proposed changes add about 15 acres to Zone 2 and 37 acres to Zone 46 and will support applications for state funding programs such as Smart Scale.

Council discussion focused on neighborhood distribution and the removal of a large Economic Development Authority parcel on Wigginton Road from Zone 46; Upsher said the parcel's topography and likely residential outcome make it a poor fit for zone incentives. Council members expressed support for the changes as a tool to spur private investment, citing examples of recent private investment tied to the program.

The motion to adopt the resolution and submit the amendment package to the Department of Housing and Community Development passed 6 to 0 with one member absent.