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Council adopts Berryville Avenue Neighborhood Design District in first step toward rezoning
Summary
After extensive public comment and staff explanation, the council approved the comprehensive‑plan amendment adding the Berryville Avenue Neighborhood Design District; rezoning and text amendments to implement zoning changes will follow with further public hearings and traffic studies.
Winchester — The City Council on June 23 approved a comprehensive plan amendment to include the Berryville Avenue Neighborhood Design District (NDD), advancing a long‑range vision for the Berryville Avenue corridor while leaving future rezoning and text amendments to later proceedings.
The public hearing drew a mix of residents and property owners. Supporters urged pedestrian safety, denser mixed‑use development and public investment; Tony Landa and Delia Delgado urged approval and asked council to protect the NDD vision during upcoming rezoning. Other speakers, including property owners and a commercial broker, asked for a text amendment to allow auto‑spas (car‑wash/auto‑service uses) in the interim because existing B‑2 zoning currently permits those uses and the NDD would require a conditional use permit for car‑focused businesses.
Planning staff (Sean Bentz) and other council members repeatedly clarified the process: this council action amends the comprehensive plan only, not the zoning map. If the plan is adopted, staff will then pursue text amendments and rezoning actions (expected in the fall) that will include additional public hearings at the Planning Commission and city council and allow for detailed traffic studies and use‑specific accommodations. Staff emphasized the NDD is a 20–30 year vision that depends on property owners, market forces and future public investments; short‑term circulation improvements adjacent to the I‑81 ramp were described as planned.
Council members acknowledged community concerns about traffic, truck movements, parking and the potential impacts on long‑standing neighborhood businesses. Several councilors said the advisory committee kept resident priorities — especially pedestrian safety and affordable grocery access — at the forefront. After discussion and with the understanding that zoning text amendments and rezoning will follow with separate hearings, the council moved, seconded and approved the comprehensive‑plan amendment on roll call.
The vote advances the NDD to the rezoning phase; council and staff said there will be opportunities for property owners and residents to comment on text amendments and rezoning proposals that will determine permitted uses and any conditional‑use processes.
