Town Planning Commission Meets Briefly to Begin the New Year, Commissioner/Councilman Wood Defends Dual Service

At a very brief January 17th meeting of The Front Royal Planning Commission, there were no public hearings on the agenda. Chairman Wells asked if there were any citizens’ comments, and there were none. The Commission provides the opportunity at every meeting for anyone to address planning-related subjects that are not on the current agenda.

The meeting would have been shorter than its 10 minutes, but rather than the usual practice of grouping authorizations to advertise for public hearings onto a consent agenda for routine business not needing individual scrutiny, the commission considered three submitted items individually.

Chairman Daniel Wells presides over a 10-minute Front Royal Planning Commission meeting with no public hearings, agreeing to advertise three requests for public hearings next month. Royal Examiner Photos Stephen Sill

A rezoning application has been submitted by Fernando Arana Pradel requesting an amendment to the town zoning map to reclassify a property at 1724 North Royal Avenue from R-1, Residential District to R-1A, Residential District. According to the Town Zoning ordinance, R-1 zoning requires a lot size minimum of 10,000 square feet or a quarter of an acre, and R-1A allows 7,000 square feet, or a little more than an eighth of an acre. There was no discussion, and on a motion by Commissioner Brian Matthiae, seconded by Commissioner Glenn Wood, the commission voted unanimously to approve the advertisement for a public hearing.

A Special Use Permit Application was submitted by Jean-David Lejeune and Samantha Harris to allow a short-term rental at 322 Kerfoot Avenue. The property is zoned R-1, Residential District. On a motion by Commissioner Matthiae, Seconded by Commissioner Wood, the commission voted unanimously to approve the advertisement for a public hearing.

A Rezoning Application submitted by Graceful Abode of Liberation requesting an amendment to the zoning map to reclassify a property at 1324 Old Winchester Pike from R-1, Residential District to R-3, Residential District.  R-3 Residential Zoning provides for higher-density residential dwellings such as duplexes, and by special use permit apartments, and lodging or rooming houses. On a motion by Commissioner Matthiae, seconded by Commissioner Wood, the Commission voted unanimously to approve the advertisement for a public hearing.

Planning Commissioner and newly elected Town Councilman Glenn Wood defends his decision to serve the remainder of his term on the commission simultaneously with a seat on the town council.

During the “Commission Member Matters” portion of the meeting, Commissioner Wood addressed his fellow commissioners. “I would like to address the recent interest in me continuing to serve out my term on the commission after having been elected to the Town Council. As your commissioner, I promise to study all concerns brought before us, to perform site visits, research, listen to staff and applicant reports, ask questions, as well as listen to public input in making any decisions.”  He went on to add, “To think that I exert any influence over the commission is just not true. I am not a developer, and the only property I own in the county or the town is our home. I plan to complete my term by serving all citizens faithfully and honestly as your public servant.”

Front Royal Planning Director Lauren Kopishke summarizes planning department activities for 2023 for the Town Planning Commission. The department is continuing its work on a Zoning Ordinance rewrite and overseeing permitting and enforcement activities.

Planning Director Lauren Kopishke provided the Planning Department’s statistics for December and for the year 2023. The department processed 393 zoning permits for the year, 407 code enforcement cases, 36 land use applications, four Zoning Ordinance amendments, and 148 business licenses. There were 32 new dwelling units, down 5 from 2022.  Staff is currently working on a Zoning Ordinance rewrite and a Capital Improvement plan (CIP). The plan is to have the Zoning Ordinance presented to the commission in two to three months and the CIP ready for the commission to review and recommend action to the Town Council by late Summer or Fall.

Click here to watch the Front Royal Planning Commission Meeting of January 17, 2024.