Council approves Trellis short-term rentals on split votes, tables action on HEPTAD proffer amendments

As noted in our lead story on its June 26 meeting, the Front Royal Town Council tackled seven public hearings, including three involving the multi-unit Trellis Short-Term Rental/Events Center project of Cook Realty on the eastern entrance into town off the 1100 block of John Marshall Highway, among other business that evening.

All the Trellis CUPs were approved, though on a series of split 4-2 votes, Councilmen Rappaport and Rogers dissenting despite overall support for the project over a disagreement over a one-year review/renewal requirement recommended by the town planning commission. The Trellis CUPs were approved by that 4-2 margin without the one-year review for renewal. Amber Morris led the majority and argued that a one-year review for renewal wasn’t generally imposed on Short-Term Rental permitting approvals. However, the minority contingent of Rogers and Rappaport noted that most such permitting applications did not involve multiple units and use as this one did, in urging their colleagues to approve with all the conditions recommended by the planning commission.

Shelley Cook

But the overall personal trust in the applicant, Shelley Cook, with her history in this community, to make the project a positive one, including for all its neighbors, held the day. Four people spoke at the initial public hearing on Trellis, all expressing their support. The same group noted their support for each CUP application at the two subsequent public hearings without returning to the podium to restate that support.

Prominent among other business was council’s decision on a continued public hearing to delay action on approval of amendments to the Swan Estates/HEPTAD proffers for further consultant review on that proposed rezoning/residential development off Leach Run Parkway. The staff summary noted that Council has requested a proffer analysis from S. Patz & Associates.

The Swan Farm/HEPTAD rezoning/residential development proposal was first brought to the Town on July 5, 2005. The staff report noted an amendment to those proffers approved by council in 2012. More recently, the Planning Commission held a public hearing on December 21, 2022, and recommended approval to amend previously approved proffers for Anna Swan Estates with conditions. Consequently, a submitted proffer amendment dated April 4, 2023, “corrects” the amount “per residential dwelling unit (whether single-family detached or single-family attached) from $1,044.31 to $699.40.”

However, questions have arisen about potential costs from impacts on not only municipal infrastructure in town but also county public schools from the potential additional student population residential development appealing to younger families might bring into the community.

Former town councilman and attorney Scott Lloyd

Another matter not delayed for action was a request for a Historic Downtown Business District parking exemption at 15 Chester Street, a historic property dating to 1882 known as the Garrison House. Built and primarily used as a residential structure, the building was recently occupied as a professional office space. While ownership of the building is listed as Steve G. Doss/Betty J. Ward, the parking exemption request is from former town councilman and attorney Scott Lloyd and Peter Lemmon. It appears a law firm became the newest occupant of the building.

Of zoning in the C-2 Downtown Business District, the staff summary notes: “The parking requirements are one space for every 300 square feet of building space. With this requirement, the applicant would need nine (9) parking spaces. The property currently has four (4). The Planning Commission held a public hearing on this request on May 17, 2023, and recommended approval of the Special Use Permit with the following condition: 1) That the maximum number of parking spaces permitted on this property be four (4) spaces.” It was also noted that the vicinity of the Garrison House at the corner of Chester Street and Laura Virginia Hale Place is surrounded by public parking in the Gazebo/Village Commons park and the Crescent Street Parking lot.

During the discussion, Councilwoman Morris noted there had been one letter of support from a neighboring property owner sent to council. However, Morris did not note the letter included in the agenda packet from attorney and Virginia Beer Museum owner David Downes, somewhat tongue-in-cheek, dare we say sarcastically, pointed out that essentially the same conditions surrounding the Garrison House request were in place two years ago when his similar request for his adjoining law office and Beer Museum properties directly across Chester Street was denied by council.

Ms. Morris’ motion, seconded by Vice-Mayor Wayne Sealock, to grant the exemption with a wording change suggested by Town Attorney George Sonnett, replacing “permitted” with “required” in the motion condition: “That the maximum number of parking spaces permitted/required on this property be four (4) spaces” was approved unanimously.

Also approved after a public hearing at which there were no speakers was a Short-Term Rental permitting request at 211 S. Royal Avenue. The applicant was Vesta Property.

The final public hearing was a housekeeping item, aligning local traffic laws with State Vehicular Laws as they are adjusted annually. The motion passed unanimously.

Council also approved an 11-item Consent Agenda, with the school zone speed camera contract removed, as discussed in our lead article on the meeting.

Rotary Club of Warren County Chairman Michael Williams

One other item acknowledged near the meeting’s outset by recently-installed Rotary Club of Warren County Chairman Michael Williams was a proposal that the Warren Rotary partner with the Town on a “Beautification of Eastern entrance to town at S. Commerce Ave. & John Marshall Hwy. (Route 55 E)” project. Williams noted that Warren Rotary anticipated acquiring a $4,000 grant for the project, which would likely be doubled by the parent Rotary Club. So, no funding on the Town’s side was anticipated, only partnering to allow access and necessary work on tree placements or removal if ruled an invasive species potentially harmful to other natural growth planned for the area.

Towards the meeting’s end, council unanimously approved a Resolution of Support for the joint WC Rotary/Town project.

Element Restaurant downtown business owner David Gedney was reappointed to a 4-year term on the Front Royal Economic Development Authority.

And following a Closed Session, council canceled a work session scheduled for Monday evening, July 3, at 7 p.m. No rescheduling was set.

Click here to watch the Town Council Meeting of  June 26, 2023.