Town Council Expedites a Resolution for a Revitalization Area at Work Session

In a previous article by the Royal Examiner, a request was highlighted in which Surber Development and Consulting, LLC, on behalf of Harwood Place Va, LLC, asked the Town Council to consider a vacant piece of land off East Criser Road that is the site of a proposed development as a “revitalization area” which would qualify the project for financing from the Virginia Housing Development Authority, assistance which is vital to the progress of the proposed ninety-unit apartment community, Jen Surber explained to the council on the evening of Monday, March 3, in Town Hall at 102 East Main Street, beginning at 7 p.m.

Town Council sits down for a work session on the evening of Monday, March 3. Royal Examiner Photo Credits: Brenden McHugh.

In light of the past work session when the council discussed this request and questions were raised about the appropriateness of applying the word “revitalization” to a piece of land that had no prior use, Jen Surber attended Monday night’s meeting to explain that vacant pieces of land are frequently designated as revitalization areas, not because of a prior use that fell into dilapidation, but because the proposed affordable housing serves the industrial, commercial, and other economic growth of the larger area and such housing would not be feasible without the financial aid provided by VHDA. Town Attorney George Sonnett explained that if the larger area composed between Remount Road and South Royal Avenue were designated a revitalization area, the intent of Virginia code would be satisfied.

Jen Surber of Surber Development and Consulting LLC presents to the council a rationale for why a vacant piece of land off East Criser Road that is the site of a proposed development should be designated as part of a revitalization area.

The instrumental role that affordable housing, through a revitalization area, provides for the Town’s development began to make sense to the council within the larger framework that Sonnett described. As code would expect, the proposed housing, that serves people with low to moderate income, is critical to the larger area, and its progress depends on financial assistance. Even though it was merely a work session, the council did proceed with a vote, which was appropriate given the deadline under which the applicant is operating. In response to Councilman Josh Ingram’s concern about the absence of public input that would typically be received in a public hearing at a regular meeting, Mayor Lori Cockrell explained that resolutions have often been voted upon at work sessions in the past and that because the resolution is in this case in keeping with the comprehensive plan, on which the public has had plentiful input, it was indeed appropriate to execute the resolution at the work session on Monday evening. When the roll was called, all voted in favor of the designation for the area between Remount and South Royal Avenue, minus Ingram.

Deputy Zoning Administrator John Ware presents items to the council, including but not limited to a case in which steep slopes are relevant.

Presentations from Deputy Zoning Administrator John Ware followed, after which the council went into a closed session to discuss the town manager position and the sale of a vacated portion of Kibler Street.

Click here to watch the Front Royal Town Council Work Session of March 3, 2025.