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Council hears first reading on B‑1 ground‑floor conversion text amendment to reduce CUP burden
Summary
Planning staff presented a text amendment intended to limit conditional use permits (CUPs) required when historically single‑family structures in certain B‑1 areas revert to residential use; councilors asked about the burden of proof and mapping corrections and were told the packet will be updated before the next meeting.
Council held a first reading of TA‑26‑4, a planning‑commission‑initiated text amendment to sections 9‑1 and 9‑2 of the Winchester zoning ordinance that would narrow the scope of ground‑floor conversion CUP requirements in B‑1 zoning areas.
Planning staff described the intent: where a building was originally built for residential use and is outside a defined commercial corridor, the owner should be able to revert to residential use without a CUP. "If a said property was outside of a commercial corridor, it could go back to residential use without a CUP," planning staff said.
Council questions focused on implementation details: how staff will determine historical residential construction (burden of proof), which parcels are included on the map, and how to treat small parking‑lot parcels mistakenly included; staff said maps prepared that morning will be updated in the agenda packet prior to the next meeting.
Next steps: This was a first reading; no final action was taken. Staff will revise maps and clarify procedural details for the next council meeting.
