VFW Seeks Relief From Parking Requirements and Apartments on Criser Win Recommendation of Approval

On Wednesday, October 16, beginning at 7 p.m. in the Warren County Government Center at 220 North Commerce Avenue, the Front Royal Planning Commission transacted a regular meeting in which they considered three major items: an application for a special-use permit for a short-term rental, an application by the Veterans of Foreign Wars for relief from parking Town Code requirements, and an application for a special-use permit to construct multi-family apartments on a vacant lot off East Criser Road that is zoned commercial. The first application was forwarded to the Town Council with a unanimous recommendation of approval, the VFW request was delayed to the November 20 meeting of the commission, and the development on Criser was sent to the council with a unanimous recommendation of approval.

Front Royal Planning Commission convenes a regular meeting on the evening of Wednesday, October 16. Royal Examiner Photo Credits: Brenden McHugh.

By far, the public hearing for the VFW application was the longest, as many concerned citizens turned out to support this waiver. Ever since the local VFW’s meeting place was burned down by an arsonist in 2015, the VFW Post 1860 has been seeking a replacement location for their operation. It would seem they have finally found one at a former restaurant on 654 West 11^th Street, adjacent to the Nazarene church. However, even with a change of use, the parking Town Code requirements have not been met. Seventeen parking spaces are required by code for this establishment, and it is that requirement from which the VFW is seeking relief while the commission evaluates other concerns like aisle width, distance from parking space to the building, and how often the VFW congregates and in what numbers.

Deputy Zoning Administrator John Ware introduces items for public hearing to the commission.

Decision-making guidelines from Town Code read that relief can be granted “when the strict adherence to the general regulations would result in substantial injustice or hardship; provided that the special exception would not diminish public health, safety or general welfare, including, but not limited to consideration that adequate provisions are provided to ensure long-term maintenance of public and shared private facilities, and conformance with the goals and objectives of the Comprehensive Plan.” However, staff recommended denial “due to the fact that the applicant was aware of the hardship imposed by Town Code prior to acquiring the property and failed to demonstrate how they are going to mitigate the impacts to the neighboring community.” After hearing from the public and discussing how best to proceed, the commissioners chose to postpone the vote on this item to their November 20 regular meeting, at which point the issue may be resolved, as the Nazarene church might be willing to lease off-street parking to the VFW, which would negate any need for a special exception to Town Code.

Commander Jeffrey Cook of VFW Post 1860 addresses the commission regarding a request for relief from existing parking Town Code requirements

The commission also heard from the engineer for Surber Development regarding an application for a special-use permit to construct two separate three-story multi-family apartment houses containing ninety units and not exceeding forty-five feet in height on a vacant parcel off East Criser Road. The engineer addressed potential concerns about parts of the property being in the floodplain, affirming that the apartments, as well as the access road, will avoid that area. He also underlined the convenience of the site, being in proximity to the shopping complex, the park, and the library. He also spoke of the success Surber has had in bringing affordable housing to communities across Virginia. The commission forwarded this application to the council with a unanimous recommendation of approval.

An engineer for Surber Development speaks on behalf of the applicant for a special-use permit to construct multi-family apartments on a vacant lot off East Criser Road.

After hearing a report from Planning Director and Zoning Administrator Lauren Kopishke and having voted earlier in the evening to advertise a public hearing for the November 20 meeting for a zoning text amendment to regulate tobacco, smoke and vape shops within the commercial and industrial districts in town limits, the meeting adjourned at 8:52 p.m.

Click here to watch the Town of Front Royal Planning Commission Meeting of October 16, 2024.