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Board approves George Street lot split with stormwater condition
Summary
The Charles Town Board of Zoning Appeals voted to allow two George Street lots to be subdivided into four dwelling lots, approving a variance to the zoning district width:depth ratio while requiring compliance with the city’s stormwater rules (Article 13‑34). Public commenters raised concerns about neighborhood character and traffic; a realtor urged more affordable homes.
The Charles Town Board of Zoning Appeals on the evening approved BA 2024‑08, a request to subdivide two lots on George Street into four lots in the Old Town Mixed Use zoning district, subject to a staff condition requiring stormwater mitigation under Article 13‑34 of the subdivision and land development ordinance.
Planning staff told the board the applicant seeks relief from the ordinance's 2:3 width:depth ratio because of the parcel’s topography. Staff said the property is “just under an acre in size. It’s 0.97 acres,” and warned that the proposed development will likely require fill and grading and that disturbance of 3,000 square feet or more would trigger stormwater management requirements. The staff presentation also noted that the access drive will require separate review by the planning commission because it does not meet the standard prohibiting a driveway within 100 feet of the nearest intersection.
The applicant, David Alwitsch, described plans to site four single‑family homes near the flatter front portions of the lots and said each unit would include a basement. He told the board the houses would comply with the applicable front and side setbacks and that the state highway authority had limited points of access, requiring a shared driveway for the subdivision.
A written public comment from resident Robin Rhodes urged the board to “consider approaches that balance growth with the preservation of our neighborhoods' character,” citing concerns about smaller lots, property values and increased traffic near Mornington Avenue and George Street. Christy Edwards, a local realtor, spoke in favor of the proposal, arguing that “the market is, in desperate need of affordable housing” and that smaller homes could help address local demand.
After questions about minimum lot sizes, setback requirements and access spacing, a board member moved to approve BA 2024‑08 as applied for, adding the staff‑recommended condition that development be subject to Article 13‑34 stormwater regulations (staff corrected a typographical error in the report, clarifying the mitigation threshold as 3,000 square feet). The motion passed with the ayes prevailing; staff will follow up with the applicant on permitting and recording requirements.
The board’s action permits the subdivision but leaves site‑specific design, stormwater mitigation and the planning commission review of the access drive to subsequent stages of the approval and permitting process.
