Town Planning Commission Prepares for Hearings on Short-term Rentals, Commerce Avenue Apartment Proposal

The Front Royal Planning Commission met on March 20 in the Warren County Government Center in what may be the shortest Commission meeting on record. In less than 15 minutes, there being no public speakers, and zero audience in the room, the commission acted on its consent agenda for authorization to advertise seven public hearings on April 17.

Absent Commissioner Brian Matthiae, the Town Planning Commission quickly disposed of its March agenda, with an Authorization to Advertise seven public Hearings on April 17. Royal Examiner Photos Stephen Sill

The Consent Agenda consisted of:

CCC Enterprises LLC of VA – A request for a Special Use Permit to convert a three (3) story motel into a 39-unit apartment building located at 10 South Commerce Avenue (The Baymont Inn). The property is zoned C-1, Community Business District.

CCC Enterprises LLC of VA – A request for a Special Exception to reduce the parking requirements from 2 spaces per unit to 1 space per unit, a reduction in the required parking space size from 10’ x 20’ to 9’ x 18’, and a reduction of the required parking along the front of the building located at 10 South Commerce Avenue. The property is zoned C-1, Community Business District.

Karen Reynoso – A request for a Special Use Permit to allow a short-term rental located at 1400 Old Winchester Pike. The property is zoned R-2, Residential District.

Short Street Properties LLC – A request for a Special Use Permit to allow a ground floor dwelling unit at 519 Short Street. The property is zoned C-1, Community Business District.

Edwin S. Wright – A request for a Special Use Permit to allow a ground floor dwelling unit at 514 S. Royal Avenue. The property is zoned C-1, Community Business District.

Edwin S. Wright – A request for a Special Use Permit to allow a ground floor dwelling unit at 512 S. Royal Avenue. The property is zoned C-1, Community Business District.

Chris King-Archer – A request for a Special Use Permit to allow a short-term rental located at 331 Kerfoot Avenue. The property is zoned R-1, Residential District.

Front Royal Planning Director Lauren Kopishke summarizes Planning and Zoning Department activities for the month of February for the town planning commission

Planning Director Lauren Kopishke gave a summary of Planning Department activities for February. The planning department had 242 walk-in customers, issued 18 zoning permits, reviewed 18 new code enforcement cases, and conducted 17 code enforcement inspections. There were also 24 code enforcement re-inspections, one property maintenance inspection and four re-inspections. And the department accepted three land-use applications that will eventually come before the commission. Director Kopishke summarized the March 18 Joint Town Council-Planning Commission meeting and hoped that the direction from council for the ongoing Zoning Ordinance rewrite would result in a draft ordinance “within the next two to three months” for the Planning Commission and the Town Council to consider.

The meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m.

Click here to watch the Town of Front Royal Planning Commission Meeting of March 20, 2024.