Special-Use Permit to Allow Lodging House as Recovery Facility Recommended by Town Planning Commission

The regular meeting of the Front Royal Planning Commission on the evening of Wednesday, April 16 began with a motion to approve the table of fees that staff have labored to prepare in a text amendment addressing the fees, charges, and expenses related to services rendered. Director of Planning Lauren Kopishke has said that this amendment is an attempt to “break even”, doing justice to the time staff spends rendering these services by increasing somewhat the cost of those services. Commissioner Megan Marrazzo reflected humorously on the journey through multiple work sessions that this item has entailed, and Vice Chairman Allen Neel commented that it has reached a point of maturity, echoed by Chairman Connie Marshner in the phrase “well-considered”. The item was forwarded to the Town Council with a unanimous recommendation for approval.

The Front Royal Planning Commission sits in readiness for a regular meeting on the evening of Wednesday, April 16. Royal Examiner Photo Credits: Brenden McHugh.

Also before the commission was an amendment to allow lodging houses by special-use permit in the R-1 zoning district. In the language of his motion to recommend disapproval based on the amendment being too general, Neel expressed that there is apparently “no public necessity” for this amendment. Marshner then asked him if he would consider striking the phrase “no public necessity”, as she wishes the public to know that the commission is aware of the community’s need for lodging houses. Neel then explained that the rationale behind his language is the “wide swathe” that this amendment describes; in other words, there may be a need, but not on this scale. Even with this caveat, Commissioner Andrew Brooks disagreed with Neel’s motion and voted accordingly. However, the motion passed in favor of the recommendation for disapproval, Marrazzo having expressed concern that the constant turnover of a lodging house is not “neighborly” for nearby residents who may have children.

Deputy Zoning Administrator John Ware presents to the commission a collection of actionable items.

Coming before the commission was an application for a special-use permit to operate a lodging house as a recovery facility by the Warren Coalition. Many former addicts who have benefited from the coalition’s work presented their testimonies – sometimes tearful – to the commissioners. The recovery houses provide former users who are cooperating with treatment the support they need as they transition back into a healthy, secure lifestyle. Executive Director Christa Shifflett specified that when an individual is “altered”, it is obvious, and such continued drug abuse is not tolerated in the houses. It simply means ejection. That is for the sake of all the other individuals who are trying to get well. Before the commission discussed the matter, Marshner emphasized that while nobody on the commission refuses to see the validity of what the coalition does and the asset they are to the community, it is the commission’s job to evaluate cases based on land use and zoning principles. Based on general welfare, Marrazzo felt that there may not be the mechanisms in place to ensure that the site is monitored sufficiently by staff or even in some cases police for regulatory compliance. She asked if such a requirement for ongoing inspection at intervals could be incorporated into the language of the motion. Kopishke explained that there is already a staff-driven process in place and that it provides the needed protection. However, Marrazzo would dissent to a recommendation of approval that passed 4-1.

Executive Director of the Warren Coalition Christa Shifflett explains to the commission the merits of an application for a special-use permit to operate a lodging house as a recovery facility.

After voting unanimously to recommend a special-use permit for a private school that would reanimate the old town hall building at 16 North Royal Avenue, and having addressed commission matters, the meeting of the commission was adjourned.

Board President Dian Schmiedicke speaks on behalf of the Divinum Auxilium Family of Schools to explain the merits of a special-use permit application to operate a private school to be located at 16 North Royal Avenue.

Click here to watch the Front Royal Planning Commission Meeting of April 16, 2025.