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Finance committee forwards enterprise‑zone amendment to let some residential projects qualify
Summary
The finance committee voted to forward an amendment to Chapter 8 of the Winchester City Code that would add residential language to the enterprise‑zone ordinance so some mixed‑use and spot residential projects—including 0 Pack and Winchester Grove—can again qualify for tax abatement.
The Winchester City Finance Committee on a voice vote moved an ordinance amendment out to the full council that would revise Chapter 8 of the Winchester City Code to allow certain residential and mixed‑use projects to qualify for enterprise‑zone incentives.
Jeff Bittner, director of the Economic Development Authority, told the committee the amendment "adds some residential language into it to give us some flexibility to do commercial mixed use, but also spot specific residential." He said both the 0 Pack project and the Winchester Grove project on Valley Avenue had relied on the city’s prior enterprise‑zone language and were disqualified when that ordinance was changed.
Committee members pressed staff on how the measure would treat affordability thresholds and phased projects. Bittner said staff intends to evaluate proposals "on a case‑by‑case basis," including looking at front‑portion phases of larger developments. The committee discussed whether condo or for‑sale projects could be included; Bittner said the amendment would not preclude for‑sale condo projects but that the structure works best for existing structures or condo projects rather than standalone single‑family builds.
A committee member moved to forward the ordinance with a recommendation for approval; the motion passed by voice vote and the item will be scheduled for a future city council meeting for final consideration. Council approval will be required for any individual incentive awards and any abatement would still need to be administered through the EDA.
The committee’s action does not itself change tax abatements; it forwards the proposed ordinance language and asks the full council to consider the amendment and any implementing language staff proposes.
