Town Council Divided on Designated Special Circumstance Housing

“This is the last piece of liberal in me, the one liberal piece I will never be parted from.”

Councilwoman Melissa DeDomenico-Payne spoke in support of the motion that prevailed on designated special circumstance housing at a regular meeting of the Town Council on the evening of Monday, November 24. Her views were in part a response to Councilman Bruce Rappaport, whose substitute motion would not have extended new developments in DSCH to the R-1 residential zoning district, whose low-density character he felt would be threatened by a more expansive DSCH policy.

If liberal versus conservative, the views could not have been expressed more respectfully. Words were tempered by courtesy on both sides as a potentially contentious issue was ultimately resolved by Mayor Lori Cockrell, who broke the tie, allowing DSCH innovations to move forward in R-2 and R-3, as well as R-1. In her words, “it’s not too much of a stretch,” balancing density concerns with the urgent need for housing options that are not sufficiently facilitated by lodging houses.

The Town Council meets for the monthly regular meeting on Monday, November 24, in the evening. Royal Examiner Photo Credits: Brenden McHugh

As it stood before the final vote, the council was looking at a handful of designations: emergency family housing, individuals with developmental disabilities, shelter for at-risk children, shelter for domestic abuse victims, and veterans’ housing. Rappaport was by no means targeting any of these groups as undeserving of a home. He made it explicitly clear that he wants to maintain the low-density, single-family character of R-1, allowing the people who currently enjoy that atmosphere to continue to do so.

Vice Mayor Amber Veitenthal questioned, at one point, whether R-1, as it stands, fits Rappaport’s ideal. One might allow her the point while underscoring that, whether non-conforming or simply not ideal, many aspects of Front Royal leave something to be desired, which should in no way dampen the pursuit of the ideal. But more to the point, she remarked that individuals with disabilities already have by-right protection if the dwelling does not exceed eight people, excluding staff. That is the only designation with by-right protection. DSCH, in general, is unique because it discovers a way to override the rule that no more than four unrelated people can live together by establishing homes of no more than eight people with those designations.

The original motion that passed on Monday evening allowed for expansion beyond eight people via a special-use permit. Those homes designated other than disabled, even if they were established with eight or fewer, would still require some kind of permit from the Town, unlike the disabled, which would proceed at that number by right. To expand beyond eight would in all cases require a special-use permit. Speaking in agreement with Rappaport, Councilman Glenn Wood expressed his opinion that expanding this way into R-1 is not appropriate. Councilman Wayne Sealock stood in solidarity with both gentlemen.

Also, that night, developments for auxiliary dwelling units were sent back to the planning commission, the Town code was streamlined pertaining to FOIA fees, a fifteen-dollar fee was established for out-of-town residents who drop off yard waste at the Manassas Avenue location, a sale of property was transacted, and a budget amendment was addressed. Amid reports, Town Manager Joe Petty remarked that the portion of North Royal Avenue between Sixth Street and Commerce has been paved, with the much-needed utility project completed.

Mayor Lori Cockrell thanks Charles Robert “Bobby” Coleman for his patriotism in leading the gathering in the pledge of allegiance.

In recognition of sixteen years of service on the Board of Architectural Review, Gary Duane “Dewey” Vaughan stands fourth from left beside the mayor.

Fourth from the left and fifth from the left, respectively, Tammy Bolden and Nan Hathaway receive recognition from the mayor and the council for Royal Oak Bookshop’s 50 years in business.

Having passed the consent agenda and having no other business to transact, the meeting was adjourned.