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Fredericksburg planning board denies STR occupancy increase, tables Tanner case, approves one variance and launches unified code work
Summary
At a special meeting the Fredericksburg planning board denied an STR occupancy increase for 106 W. College, tabled a Tanner STR appeal to allow homeowners to attend, approved a setback variance for Krista Ditterstat, and heard a director's report launching a unified development code RFQ.
The Fredericksburg Planning and Zoning Commission at a special meeting took several actions on short-term rentals and variances and authorized staff to pursue changes to reconcile zoning and historic-preservation rules.
The board denied ZBA2025-09, an applicant request by Maxwell Morrison to increase STR occupancy at 106 West College from eight to ten occupants. Staff noted the property has five bedrooms and is surrounded by several STRs; a board member moved to deny, citing occupancy higher than neighborhood averages and the residential character of the area. The motion carried on a voice vote.
Case ZBA2025-02 (Charles and Beverly Tanner, 209 S. Elk) was presented but the homeowners were not in the country; the applicant’s representative explained the permit history and that about half of nearby properties operate as STRs. Discussion highlighted a change in management company and that the permit had lapsed. A motion to approve failed and the board later voted to table the item so the homeowners can appear in person at the next meeting.
The commission approved ZBA2025-07, a setback variance requested by Krista Ditterstat to reduce a 15-foot side-yard requirement to 5 feet for a Portland Beach College project; the historic review board had recommended approval and no public opposition spoke.
In the director’s report staff announced the initiation of a unified development code process to resolve conflicts between historic design guidelines, zoning, parking and signage rules. Staff said an RFQ for consultants will be published around the 22nd, with a 50–60 day response window and consultant work expected to take 18–24 months; short-term ordinance amendments will also be pursued to address immediate code disconnects.
Procedural items included approval of the minutes and adjournment. Several public speakers and commissioners emphasized that permit holders are responsible for maintaining active STR permits and that absentee ownership and management changes can lead to lapsed permits and enforcement consequences.
The board closed the special meeting after the reported actions.
