Summary

Council approves multiple zoning and fee ordinances, joins opioid settlement, and advertises real estate tax rate

WinchesterMar 24, 20264 min read

At a glance

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At its March 24, 2026 regular meeting, Winchester City Council approved a conditional use permit for a residential fence, enacted amendments to the Enterprise Zone, building permit fees, and zoning/subdivision provisions for parcels fronting private streets, and authorized participation in an opioid-related settlement. Winchester Public Schools presented the FY2027 budget; the City presented its FY2027 budget and Council directed staff to advertise a not-to-exceed real estate tax rate of $0.815 per $100 assessed value. Staff also announced park and street projects and upcoming community events. Monthly reports included the 2025 Stormwater Utility Annual Report and Fire & Rescue statistics.

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City Council

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TransportationBudget & TaxPublic SafetyEducationHealthcareCommerceHousingUtilities

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Key decisions

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Approved minutes of the March 10, 2026 regular meeting and work session.
Approved CUP-26-1 for installation of a fence at 96 Molden Dr (corner side yard).
Approved O-2026-9 amending Chapter 8 (Enterprise Zone) of the City Code.
Approved O-2026-10 amending Chapter 6 (building permit fees) of the City Code.
Approved O-2026-3 (TA-25-7) amending zoning ordinance provisions for platted parcels fronting on private streets.
Approved O-2026-4 (TA-25-8) amending subdivision ordinance provisions for parcels fronting on private streets in specified zoning districts.
Approved R-2026-13 authorizing the City's participation in a combined opioid-related settlement.
Directed staff to advertise the calendar year 2026 real property tax rate at a not-to-exceed $0.815 per $100 of assessed value (first reading O-2026-11); Mayor Veach and Councilor Windle voted nay on the motion to advertise.

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Meeting information

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City Council Regular Meeting - 6:00 PM - Mar 24 2026

Mar 24, 2026, 6:00 PMcompleted

Agenda

Minutes of the City Council - Regular Meeting on March 10, 2026. City Council Regular Meeting - 6:00 PM - Mar 10 2026 - Minutes - Pdf 4 - 8
4.1
Decision: APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Minutes of the City Council - Work Session on March 10, 2026. City Council Work Session - 6:01 PM - Mar 10 2026 - Minutes - Pdf 9 - 10
4.2
Decision: APPROVAL OF MINUTES
CUP-26-1: A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT REQUEST BY CHERYL ANDERSON FOR THE INSTALLATION OF A FENCE NOT SUBJECT TO ADMINISTRATIVE APPROVAL IN THE CORNER SIDE YARD (MOLDEN DR SIDE) AT 96 MOLDEN DR (MAP #195-02-C-33) ZONED MR - MEDIUM DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT. ( Requires Roll Call Vote ) Presenter: Councilor Windle, Chair of Planning & Economic Development Committee / Gavin Kearns, Planner I Council Action Memo - CUP-26-1 A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT REQUEST BY CHERYL ANDERSON FOR THE INSTALLATION OF A FENCE NOT SUBJECT TO ADMINISTRATIVE APPRO - Pdf 11 - 32
9.1
Decision: PUBLIC HEARINGS
Second Reading of O-2026-9: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 8, ENTERPRISE ZONE, OF THE WINCHESTER CITY CODE ( Requires Roll Call Vote ) Presenter: Jeff Buettner, EDA Executive Director Council Action Memo - AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 8, ENTERPRISE ZONE, OF THE WINCHESTER CITY CODE - Pdf 33 - 47
9.2
Decision: PUBLIC HEARINGS
Second Reading of O-2026-10: AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 6, BUILDING REGULATIONS, DIVISION 2 BUILDING PERMIT FEES, OF THE WINCHESTER CITY CODE ( Requires Roll Call Vote ) Presenter: Mike Ruddy, Director of Community Development Council Action Memo - AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 6, BUILDING REGULATIONS, DIVISION 2 BUILDING PERMIT FEES, OF THE WINCHESTER CITY CODE - Pdf 48 - 64
9.3
Decision: PUBLIC HEARINGS
Second Reading of O-2026-3: TA-25-7 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING AND RE-ENACTING AND REPEALING CERTAIN SECTIONS OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF WINCHESTER RELATING TO PLATTED PARCELS FRONTING ON PRIVATE STREETS. ( Requires Roll Call Vote ) Presenter: David Stewart, Planning Director Council Action Memo - TA-25-7 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING AND RE-ENACTING AND REPEALING CERTAIN SECTIONS OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF WINCHESTER R - Pdf 65 - 76
9.4
Decision: PUBLIC HEARINGS
Second Reading of O-2026-4: TA-25-8 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING AND RE-ENACTING SECTION 5-31, AND ENACTING SECTION 5-43 OF THE SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF WINCHESTER, VIRGINIA RELATING TO PLATTED PARCELS FRONTING ON PRIVATE STREETS WITHIN THE HR, RB-1, B-1, PUD, AND NDD ZONING DISTRICTS. ( Requires Roll Call Vote ) Presenter: David Stewart, Planning Director Council Action Memo - TA-25-8 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING AND RE-ENACTING SECTION 5-31, AND ENACTING SECTION 5-43 OF THE SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE OF THE CITY O - Pdf 77 - 90
9.5
Decision: PUBLIC HEARINGS
Public comments received online prior to deadline. Public Comments for Council Meeting (March 24, 2026) 91 - 97
10.1
Decision: PUBLIC COMMENTS
R-2026-13: A Resolution of the Common Council Approving the City of Winchester, Virginia Participation in the Proposed Combined Settlement Agreement Resolving Opioid-Related Claims Against Associated Pharmacies, Inc. (and American Associated Pharmacies); J M Smith Corporation; Louisiana Wholesale Drug Company, Inc.; Morris and Dickson Co.; North Carolina Mutual Wholesale Drug Company, Inc.; and United Natural Foods, Inc. (including its Subsidiaries SuperValu and Advantage Logistics) (Collectively Referred to as the Six Remnant Defendants), and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Documents Effectuating the City's Participation in the Settlement Presenter: Melisa Michelsen, City Attorney Council Action Memo - A Resolution of the Common Council Approving the City of Winchester, Virginia Participation in the Proposed Combined Settlement - Pdf 98 - 252
11.1
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
Discussion of the Winchester Public Schools FY2027 Budget Presenter: Dr. Jason Van Heukelum, Superintendent of Winchester Public Schools Council Action Memo - Winchester Public Schools FY 2027 Budget Discussion - Pdf 253 - 274
12.1
Decision: AGENDA
Discussion of the FY2027 Budget Presenter: John Piper, City Manager Council Action Memo - FY 2027 Budget Overview and Options - Pdf 275 - 307
12.2
Decision: AGENDA
First Reading of O-2026-11: AN ORDINANCE TO SET THE REAL PROPERTY TAX RATE FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2026 Presenter: John Piper, City Manager Council Action Memo - An Ordinance to Set the Real Property Tax Rate for Calendar Year 2026 - Pdf 308 - 313
12.3
Decision: AGENDA
2025 Stormwater Utility Annual Report 2025 Stormwater Utility Annual Report 314 - 333
13.1
Decision: MONTHLY REPORTS
Fire & Rescue Statistics 2026 Fire and Rescue Statistics 334 - 337
13.2
Decision: MONTHLY REPORTS