Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Site Plan Keydet topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Keydet General Motel site plan approved; developer will seek historic photos to guide renovation
Summary
The Rockbridge County Tourism Corridor Review Board approved a site plan for the Keydet General Motel at 325 West Midland Trail, allowing a renovation that includes a new backlit freestanding sign, replacement windows and columns, a new roof, and an updated color scheme; the applicant said the property has 53 rooms and 16 are currently rented.
The Rockbridge County Tourism Corridor Review Board approved a site plan for the Keydet General Motel at 325 West Midland Trail (tax map 60‑A‑A7) during its Feb. 4, 2026 meeting.
Neil Whitmore of county planning introduced the application from Welcome to Virginia Inc. / Audeo Partners LLC. Maddie Ford, representing the applicant, reviewed exterior and signage changes: an updated color scheme, a new backlit freestanding sign (the existing brick base will be repaired), new windows for most openings, replacement of rotted architectural posts with the style shown on the elevation drawings, and replacement of the existing black asphalt roof with roof tiles. Ford said the property contains 53 rooms and that 16 rooms are currently rented; the applicant said they expect the property to re‑open with more rooms available in the fall.
Applicant Michael Meres said he plans to consult archivists at Washington and Lee University and Virginia Military Institute to locate historic photos of the hotel to inform design decisions. Board members asked technical questions about visibility of the rear building, roof color and materials, and sign lighting; Ford confirmed the sign will be backlit but not projection‑lit. Board members expressed general support for the renovation and the motion to approve the site plan passed unanimously.
The board’s approval allows the applicant to pursue required permits and proceed toward renovation; no financing or specific permit dates were discussed at the meeting.
