Saddlecrest Residential Development Rezoning Request on Sayre Property Derailed by Town Due to Access/Egress Issues

At its meeting of Monday, July 24, the Front Royal Town Council voted 5-0, Councilman Rogers absent, to deny the rezoning application for 43.9 acres of property to facilitate a 128-lot subdivision known as the Saddlecrest Project on the property of former town councilman and county supervisor Tom Sayre and his wife.

Council wasn’t buying what Saddlecrest graphics were presenting regarding the development of a 128-unit residential subdivision without additional road access to the Shenandoah Shores area, now served by one access road often blocked by stopped Norfolk Southern trains.

The motion to deny was made by Amber Morris, seconded by Josh Ingram. Morris explained her agreement with the six public hearing speakers all opposing the project due to transportation issues surrounding the one entrance/exit road into and out of the Shenandoah Shores area, which crosses railroad tracks that are often blocked by stopped trains. Morris bemoaned years of a lack of municipal action to deal with the limited access/egress issue, pointing the finger at those preceding the current council lineup for not following up on discussed alternate access road plans brought to the table over a number of years, even decades.

Following the only other public hearing of the evening, also on a motion by Councilwoman Morris, this time seconded by Melissa DeDomenico-Payne, council also voted 5-0 to appoint a viewing committee to explore potential consequences of the request by Donald McCarty to Vacate a Portion of North Street and a Portion of an Unimproved Alley owned by the town. The staff agenda summary cited the reason for the request “to increase the area of parcels for development that will front Orchard Street and with the intent to purchase the 13,001 square footage and a portion of the unimproved alley from the Town.”

Earlier, near the meeting’s outset, a “Proclamation to Recognize Front Royal Little League 8, 9, 10-year-old All Stars” was approved. The team was recognized for an 11-2 season record, winning the District 3 Championship to advance to the State Championship Tournament in Abingdon, where they came out of the Loser’s Bracket to win four straight games to advance to the Championship finals and a second-place state finish. Well done, young All-Stars.

Two members of the Front Royal 8-9-10 year-old Little League All Stars led the opening pledge of allegiance and later accepted a proclamation and recognitions for their District 3 Championship and Va. State Tournament 2nd place finish.

Also acknowledged during Town Manager Joe Waltz’s report to council was “Town Employee Appreciation Week” — all 167 of them the town manager observed.

During her report, Mayor Cockrell noted the annual “National Night Out” spearheaded by FRPD and other first responders on Tuesday, August 1st, at the Gazebo-anchored Village Commons area.

Before adjourning to a closed session to discuss personnel matters involving the town manager and town attorney, council approved a five-item Consent Agenda as presented. Items on that agenda were:

1. Bid Award for Curb & Gutter Installation;
2. FY24 Budget Amendment to Accept Funds from VRSA for Pavilion Damage;
3. Solid Waste Utility Cost of Service Fee/Rate Study Contract and FY-24 Budget Amendment;
4. Reappointment of Planning Commission Member;
5. Recommendation to the Board of Zoning Appeals;

Click here to watch these discussions and votes in the video of the Town Council Meeting of July 24, 2023.