Staunton Council approves rezoning of Dunsmore Building for 15 affordable senior apartments

The Staunton City Council unanimously adopted a resolution Feb. 12 to rezone 912 West Beverly Street, the historic Dunsmore Building, from R‑4 (high‑density residential) to B‑5 (mixed‑use business conditional), clearing the way for its adaptive reuse as 15 low‑income senior apartments.

Tim Hartless, the city’s senior planner, told council the property sits on a roughly 16,500‑square‑foot lot and that current R‑4 density would cap development at seven units because of lot‑size rules. Under B‑5 zoning the number of units will be driven by how many on‑site parking spaces can be provided; for senior housing the city’s parking calculation is one space per two residential units. Hartless noted that off‑site parking is not available in the surrounding R‑4 neighborhood, so the applicant must demonstrate required parking on the property before site plan or building permits are approved.

Applicant Stuart Armstrong and project architect Carter Green described a 15‑unit program with community space on the lower level, ADA access and an internal elevator, reuse of historic materials, and a two‑level parking deck behind the building. Green said the upper deck will provide eight required spaces and the lower level contributes additional covered spaces; he described three extra spaces shown on their plans to provide flexibility. Habitat for Humanity’s Jenny Hill, speaking during the public hearing, supported the housing but asked how the eight available parking spaces would be allocated and enforced to prevent spillover onto Anderson Street; the applicant said the design aims to meet the parking standard for senior housing (1 per 2 units) and that some additional covered spaces exist on the lower level.

Vice Mayor Arrowood moved to adopt the rezoning resolution; Councilor Overholtzer seconded. Roll‑call votes recorded each council member as voting “Aye,” and the motion carried.

The planning commission had unanimously recommended approval on Jan. 15, 2026, after two residents raised concerns about on‑street parking on Anderson Street. Hartless told council that approval of the rezoning is only the first step: the applicant must submit a site plan and, later, building permits that demonstrate the ability to meet parking and access requirements.

Next steps outlined by staff include submittal of a site plan to show how the parking deck and access easement will function and subsequent building‑permit review. The applicant said he hopes to include the rezoned property in a March application cycle and proceed with financing that uses low‑income housing tax credits and historic tax credits.

The council’s action enables a redevelopment pathway for a long‑vacant landmark building but leaves technical matters—parking access, final site design, and permit approvals—to the administrative process.