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Harrisonburg council approves rezoning at 302 West Bruce Street to R‑8
Summary
City Council voted to rezone a 5,400‑square‑foot parcel at 302 West Bruce Street from R‑2 to R‑8 after a staff presentation and one public comment from the property owner; planning staff and the Planning Commission had recommended approval.
HARRISONBURG, Va. — The Harrisonburg City Council voted unanimously June 10 to rezone 302 West Bruce Street from the R‑2 residential district to R‑8, a change city staff and the Planning Commission said would bring the parcel closer into conformity with current zoning and the city’s long‑range plan.
City planning staff presented the request at the council meeting, describing the parcel as roughly 5,400 square feet at the corner of West Bruce and Academy streets and noting the applicant’s proffers tied to sidewalk easements and right‑of‑way dedication. The Planning Commission had recommended approval 6–0.
The applicant, Paul C. Reiner, told council he is renovating the structure and intends to add a first‑floor bedroom and bathroom, bringing the house to three bedrooms and two bathrooms. “Really, the goal here is just to come more into conformity with where the house sits on the lot,” Reiner said.
The rezoning to R‑8 would allow smaller minimum lot areas—R‑8 permits single‑family lots as small as 2,800 square feet—so staff said the change would reduce the site’s nonconformities and align the parcel with the neighborhood’s land‑use designation, described in the staff report as “neighborhood residential.” Staff also noted proffers from the applicant to dedicate easements or right‑of‑way for sidewalk construction when the city requests them.
Council discussion was brief. A council member noted the value of the added first‑floor bedroom for multigenerational households and described the application as a renovation that would help preserve housing stock. The council then approved the rezoning by roll call vote: Council member Dent, Council member Robinson, Vice Mayor Fleming and Mayor Dina Reid recorded aye votes; the motion passed unanimously.
Why it matters: Rezoning to R‑8 will allow the renovated house to be more consistent with zoning and could simplify future sales or permits tied to lot‑area requirements. The record shows staff and the Planning Commission supported the change.
The city’s staff report and Planning Commission recommendation are part of the public record for the item; council approved the rezoning at the meeting and closed the public hearing after taking applicant comments.
Votes at the meeting on this item were recorded during the council roll call and are part of the official minutes.
