Panel Recommends Jail Property Rezone Posted: September 18, 2013 By VIC BRADSHAW The Winchester Star A city planning panel has recommended that the former downtown Winchester jail property be rezoned as a Central Business District. (Photo by Jeff Taylor/The Winchester Star) WINCHESTER — A city planning panel has recommended that a former downtown jail property be rezoned as a Central Business District, a move that could result in a building rising as high as 75 feet. The Winchester Planning Commission voted 5-0 Tuesday to recommend approval of a rezoning for the property at 317 S. Cameron St. — which is currently in a Residential Business District. The request advances to City Council, which could vote on it as early as its Nov. 12 meeting. A building on the 0.46-acre lot formerly was used as a jail for the city and Frederick County. It most recently was operated by the localities as the Starting Point/Public Inebriate Center. The rezoning was requested by the Winchester Economic Development Authority. The EDA owns the land but has a contract to sell it to OakCrest Cos., whose officials have said a residential redevelopment project is planned. If approved, the zoning change would allow the development of up to 20 units by-right on the site instead of just nine. However, that number could rise if density bonuses were used. No proffers are attached to the rezoning, so a structure could be built as tall as 75 feet instead of the 35-foot maximum allowable height in a Residential Business District. Planner Will Moore, however, told the commissioners that one of two other entities would have to sign off on the building’s height before any work is done. Because the property is in the city’s Historic District, the Board of Architectural Review would determine whether the height of a proposed building were appropriate if historic tax credits were not used for a project. If they were used, the Virginia Department of Historic Resources would determine how tall a structure could be. Jim Vickers, president of OakCrest Cos., has said the company likely would convert the circa 1848 front section of the building to apartments but would demolish the late-20th century rear addition. A multistory housing structure then would be built behind the historic building. However, Moore noted that if OakCrest decided not to buy the property, a another developer with a different plan could wind up with it. “You really need to look at this rezoning without that in mind,” he told the commissioners. The only question raised during a public hearing related to parking. Barbara Swink, who lives two blocks away at 516 S. Cameron St., said she often has trouble finding an open space on her block. “You could have 40 vehicles or more flooding surrounding streets,” she said. Moore said the parcel is on the southern border of an area that City Council has deemed exempt from having to provide off-street parking. Responding to a question from Commissioner Carroll “Beau” Correll Jr., Moore said residents can petition the police chief to designate an area for permit parking only. The commissioners also voted 5-0 to initiate an ordinance that would amend city policy related to rezonings and text amendments. The proposal would amend the Winchester Zoning Ordinance to extend the period the commission has to act on a request to 100 days from 90 days. The extra 10 days would allow the commissioners to table a request twice instead of once so any issues can be resolved. The changes also would stipulate that the case is considered to have been referred to the Planning Commission when the application is complete. Attending the meeting at Rouss City Hall were Chairman William Wiley and commissioners Carroll “Beau” Correll Jr., Kevin McKannan, Martha Shickle and David Smith. Vice-Chairman Stephen Slaughter Jr. and commissioner Jennifer Beatley were absent.
Posted on: Wed, 18 Sep 2013 22:06:23 +0000
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