Town Planning Commission Recommends Changes to Zoning & Deputy Zoning Administrators Appointment Processes

On Wednesday, August 19, the Front Royal Planning Commission convened a meeting followed by a work session. Both were held at Town Hall beginning at 6 p.m. Top meeting agenda Items included approval of a one-item Consent Agenda for a hearing on a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for a short-term rental proposal on an as-yet-undetermined September date. That permitting application was made by Tyler Reaves for a property located at 35 North Marshall Street on property zoned Residential District (R-1).

That was followed by what appeared to be the meeting’s primary topic, a Public Hearing on a proposed Ordinance Amendment to Town Code §175-147 “to refine the delineation of responsibilities of the Zoning Administrator and the Deputy Zoning Administrator’s positions.” With no members of the public present to speak on the topic, the Commission and Planning Department staff got to work on explaining the dynamics and reason for the proposal.

The agenda packet cited this overview by staff: “Town Code § 175-147 currently provides that the Director of Planning shall serve as the Town’s Zoning Administrator. The ordinance was last amended in 1999. It also provides for one Deputy Zoning Administrator, who is appointed by the Town Manager. The proposed amendment would change the current structure by allowing the Town Council or Town Manager to designate the Zoning Administrator. It would also allow for more than one Deputy Zoning Administrator.”

Town Planning Director Lauren Kopishke reviewed the proposal for the Commission, with legal support from Town Attorney George Sonnett, to ensure that any changes approved by the Town conform to existing State parameters.

At the podium to the left, Town Planning Director Lauren Kopishke presents details of the staff recommendation on the Ordinance Amendment regarding Zoning Administrator appointment processes. Royal Examiner Photos Roger Bianchini

A staff conclusion was cited, elaborating that, “Staff has no objection to changing the current designation of the Zoning Administrator or allowing multiple deputies, provided that the ordinance clearly establishes the appointing authority and maintains a clear division between the Town Council’s legislative responsibilities and the administrative responsibilities of the Zoning Administrator.”

The agenda packet noted that Planning Commission Chairman Allen Neel wrote to Planning Director Kopishke as the public hearing day approached — “The change you propose seems to be more likely as town’s gets larger and council’s more burdened. For Front Royal, having town council in the appointment loop could mean unnecessary delay in appointments,” Neel observed, adding, “The chain of command changes you made are not uncommon in Virginia …”

Seated at the center of the table with a hand gesture, Chairman Allen Neel explains his support of the proposed ordinance amendment involving appointments to Zoning and Deputy Zoning Administrator positions. Deputy Zoning Administrator John Ware was present for the discussion below.

The scheduled public hearing was convened and closed with no one present to speak. At that point, Commission member Megan Marrazzo made a motion to recommend approval of the changes to the Front Royal Town Council. That motion was approved by a 4-0 vote, with Commission member Connie Marshner absent.

Four of five commissioners were present: from left, Andrew Brooks, Teresa Fedoryka, Chairman Allen Neel, and Vice-Chairman Meghan Marrazzo. Marrazzo eventually moved to recommend changes to the Zoning Administrator and Deputy Zoning Administrator appointment processes, following the staff explanation and her colleagues’ agreement with the reasoning behind those changes.

The meeting was then adjourned at 6:15 p.m., and the work session convened.

The two topics discussed were, first, a draft zoning ordinance, and then a proposed amendment to remove DATA Centers from at least some town zoning categories tied to the Comprehensive Plan. With no action allowed at work sessions, it was adjourned at 6:32 p.m.

Watch the Front Royal Planning Commission Meeting of August 19, 2026