Council permits reduced parking at Winchester/Valley Equipment site, with landscaping condition

HARRISONBURG, Va. — The City Council approved a special‑use permit June 10 allowing Winchester Equipment Company (operating as Valley Equipment Company) to reduce the required parking at 160 Carpenter Lane from 51 spaces to 28, with a condition that would require street‑tree plantings if the property adds additional parking in the future.

City staff said the property was rezoned earlier to M‑1 industrial to allow sales, rental and service of compact construction and agricultural equipment. Based on the building size and use, the zoning ordinance requires 51 parking spaces; the applicant requested a reduction to 28 spaces and proposed leaving the remaining area as reserved open space. Staff recommended approval and proposed a condition that if the applicant later expands pavement or vehicle maneuvering areas, the landscaping and street‑tree requirements of the zoning code (section 10‑3‑30.1(4)) would then apply.

John Garber, principal engineer for Lineage Architects and under contract with the owner, clarified that the project scope changed after the narrative was prepared and that the domestic water service would be upsized. He thanked multiple city departments for assistance meeting a compressed schedule.

Council approved the special‑use permit and the recommended landscaping condition by roll call; the vote recorded aye from Council member Dent, Council member Robinson, Vice Mayor Fleming and Mayor Dina Reid.

Why it matters: The decision permits an established industrial use to operate with fewer paved parking stalls while preserving the option to require tree plantings and other landscape features if the site later expands parking. The condition is intended to balance operational needs with the city’s tree‑canopy and streetscape standards.

The council’s action closes the public hearing for the item and authorizes staff to record the SUP conditions.