Summary

City Council approves zoning text amendments, rezoning, multiple appointments; discusses FY27 budget

WinchesterApr 28, 20263 min read

At a glance

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At the April 28, 2026 regular meeting, Winchester City Council approved zoning ordinance changes including rules for short-term rentals in the B-1 district, adopted an amended definition for corner lot setbacks, rezoned 1328 Commerce Street to high-density residential with PUD overlay, approved minutes and a slate of board appointments/reappointments and removals, held first readings on elections and firearms ordinances, and discussed City FY27 budget items including the Schools' request and the meals tax rate. An executive session was held to interview a City Attorney candidate.

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Economic Development Planned Unit Development

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City Council

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Budget & TaxPublic SafetyEducationCommerceElectionsHousing

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Key decisions

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Approved minutes of the City Council regular meeting (April 14, 2026) and work session (April 14, 2026).
Approved O-2026-7 (TA-26-1) — zoning text amendment regarding short-term rentals in the B-1 Central Business District and Special Taxation Districts.
Adopted O-2026-8 (TA-26-2) as amended — amended the definition of setback and corner lot to allow corner lots to choose the shorter setback of either the average setback of 5 lots or 200 feet, or the immediately adjoining lot's lesser setback.
Approved O-2026-6 (RZ-25-5) — rezoned 3.37 acres at 1328 Commerce Street (Map# 233-11-1) from Commercial Industrial (CM-1) to High Density Residential (HR) with Planned Unit Development (PUD) overlay.
Appointed City Manager John Piper as an alternate fiscal representative member of the Juvenile Detention Commission (indefinite term effective April 28, 2026).
Appointed Chief Ronnie Lewis to the Community Criminal Justice Board and the Old Dominion A.S.A.P. Board (three-year terms ending April 27, 2029).
Reappointed Hayley Mullins, Christian Rousseau, and Jerry Stollings to the Community Policy & Management Team (two-year terms ending April 27, 2028).
Reappointed Barton Chasler to the Board of Architectural Review (four-year term May 1, 2026–April 30, 2030).
Reappointed James Imoh to the Economic Development Authority (four-year term beginning May 24, 2026).
Reappointed James Wilson to the Board of Zoning Appeals (five-year term beginning July 27, 2026).
Removed Bibianna Vasquez from the Social Services Advisory Board effective April 28, 2026.
Held first readings of O-2026-13 (amending Chapter 7: designation of precincts and polling places) and O-2026-16 (amending Chapter 16, Section 16-34: possession of firearms in certain public places).
Discussed City FY27 budget items including the Commonwealth of Virginia's FY27 budget, Winchester Public Schools' budget request, COLAs, and the meals tax rate; Council expressed interest in further discussion on the meals tax rate.
Approved motion to recess into closed session to interview a candidate for City Attorney and later reconvened and certified compliance with the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.

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Meeting information

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City Council Regular Meeting - 6:00 PM - Apr 28 2026

Apr 28, 2026, 6:00 PMcompleted

Agenda

Minutes of the City Council - Regular Meeting on April 14, 2026. City Council Regular Meeting - 6:00 PM - Apr 14 2026 - Minutes - Pdf 5 - 10
4.1
Decision: APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Minutes of the City Council - Work Session on April 14, 2026. City Council Work Session - 6:01 PM - Apr 14 2026 - Minutes - Pdf 11 - 12
4.2
Decision: APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Second Reading of O-2026-7: TA-26-1 A ZONING ORDINANCE TEXT AMENDMENT REQUEST BY PAUL RICHARDSON TO AMEND SEC. 18-29 OF THE WINCHESTER ZONING ORDINANCE PERTAINING TO SHORT-TERM RENTALS IN THE B-1 - CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT AND SPECIAL TAXATION DISTRICTS. ( Requires Roll Call Vote ) Presenter: Aidan Davis, Deputy Zoning Administrator, and Paul Richardson, Applicant Council Action Memo - TA-26-1 A ZONING ORDINANCE TEXT AMENDMENT REQUEST BY PAUL RICHARDSON TO AMEND SEC. 18-29 OF THE WINCHESTER ZONING ORDINANCE PERT - Pdf 13 - 30
9.1
Decision: PUBLIC HEARINGS
Second Reading of O-2026-8: TA-26-2 A ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT REQUEST BY PAINTER-LEWIS PLC TO AMEND SECTION 1-2 OF THE WINCHESTER ZONING ORDINANCE PERTAINING TO THE DEFINITION OF SETBACK AND CORNER LOT. ( Requires Roll Call Vote ) Presenter: Alfredo Gutierrez-Velasquez, Zoning Administrator, and Tim G. Painter, Applicant Council Action Memo - TA-26-2 A ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT REQUEST BY PAINTER-LEWIS PLC TO AMEND SECTION 1-2 OF THE WINCHESTER ZONING ORDINANCE PERTAINING - Pdf 31 - 44
9.2
Decision: PUBLIC HEARINGS
Second Reading of O-2026-6: RZ-25-5 AN ORDINANCE TO REZONE 3.37 ACRES OF LAND AT 1328 COMMERCE STREET (MAP# 233-11-1) FROM COMMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL (CM-1) DISTRICT TO HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL (HR) DISTRICT WITH PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT (PUD) OVERLAY. ( Requires Roll Call Vote ) Presenter: David Stewart, Director of Planning Council Action Memo - RZ-25-5 AN ORDINANCE TO REZONE 3.37 ACRES OF LAND AT 1328 COMMERCE STREET (MAP# 233-11-1) FROM COMMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL (CM-1) DIS - Pdf 45 - 122
9.3
Decision: PUBLIC HEARINGS
Public comments received online prior to deadline. Public Comments for Council - Apr 28 2026 123 - 137
10.1
Decision: PUBLIC COMMENTS
Motion to appoint City Manager John Piper as an alternate fiscal representative member of the Juvenile Detention Commission for an indefinite term effective April 28, 2026. Presenter: Councilor Fox, Chair of Boards & Commissions Committee
11.1
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
Motion to appoint Chief Ronnie Lewis to the Community Criminal Justice Board and to the Old Dominion A.S.A.P. Board, both for a three-year term ending April 27, 2029. Presenter: Councilor Fox, Chair of Boards & Commissions Committee
11.2
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
Motion to reappoint Hayley Mullins to the Community Policy & Management Team for a two-year term ending April 27, 2028. Presenter: Councilor Fox, Chair of Boards & Commissions Committee
11.3
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
Motion to reappoint Christian Rousseau to the Community Policy & Management Team for a two-year term ending April 27, 2028. Presenter: Councilor Fox, Chair of Boards & Commissions Committee
11.4
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
Motion to reappoint Jerry Stollings to the Community Policy & Management Team for a two-year term ending April 27, 2028. Presenter: Councilor Fox, Chair of Boards & Commissions Committee
11.5
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
Motion to remove Bibianna Vasquez from the Social Services Advisory Board, effective April 28, 2026. Presenter: Councilor Fox, Chair of Boards & Commissions Committee
11.6
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
Motion to reappoint Barton Chasler to the Board of Architectural Review for a four-year term beginning May 1, 2026, and ending April 30, 2030. Presenter: Councilor Fox, Chair of Boards & Commissions Committee
11.7
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
Motion to reappoint James Imoh to the Economic Development Authority for a four-year term beginning May 24, 2026, and ending May 23, 2030. Presenter: Councilor Fox, Chair of Boards & Commissions Committee
11.8
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
Motion to reappoint James Wilson to the Board of Zoning Appeals for a five-year term beginning July 27, 2026, and ending July 26, 2031. Presenter: Councilor Fox, Chair of Boards & Commissions Committee
11.9
Decision: CONSENT AGENDA
First Reading of O-2026-13: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 7, ELECTIONS, ARTICLE II, DESIGNATION OF PRECINCTS AND POLLING PLACES, OF THE WINCHESTER CITY CODE Presenter: Melisa Michelsen, City Attorney Council Action Memo - AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 7, ELECTIONS, ARTICLE II, DESIGNATION OF PRECINCTS AND POLLING PLACES, OF THE WINCHESTER CITY CODE - Pdf 138 - 143
12.1
Decision: AGENDA
First Reading of O-2026-16: AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 16, OFFENSES-MISCELLANEOUS, SECTION 16-34, POSSESSION OF FIREARMS IN CERTAIN PUBLIC PLACES, OF THE WINCHESTER CITY CODE Presenter: Melisa Michelsen, City Attorney Council Action Memo - AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 16, OFFENSES-MISCELLANEOUS, SECTION 16-34, POSSESSION OF FIREARMS IN CERTAIN PUBLIC PLACES, OF THE - Pdf 144 - 147
12.2
Decision: AGENDA
First Reading of O-2026-14: AN ORDINANCE TO AUTHORIZE THE APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS FOR NECESSARY EXPENDITURES FOR THE CITY OF WINCHESTER, VIRGINIA FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2027 Presenter: John Piper, City Manager Council Action Memo - An Ordinance to Authorize the Appropriation of Funds for Necessary Expenditures for the City of Winchester, Virginia for the Fis - Pdf 148 - 326
12.3
Decision: AGENDA
Motion to recess into a closed meeting in order to interview a candidate for employment as the City Attorney, as authorized by section 2.2-3711(A)(1) of the Virginia Code.
13.1
Decision: EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion to reconvene into open session and to certify that only public business matters lawfully exempted from open meeting requirements of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act were discussed during the closed meeting, and that only those public business matters identified in the motion which convened during the closed meeting were heard, discussed, or considered during the closed meeting.
14.1
Decision: RECONVENE INTO OPEN SESSION
Flyer from Concern Hotline's Presentation to the Public Health & Safety Committee on April 15, 2026 Concern Hotline - 2025 Community Impact Report 327
15.1
Decision: MONTHLY REPORTS
Communications Department Monthly Report March 2026 COMMS MONTHLY REPORT 328 - 332
15.2
Decision: MONTHLY REPORTS
Fire & Rescue Monthly Report 2026 Fire and Rescue Statistics 333 - 336
15.3
Decision: MONTHLY REPORTS
2025 Boards & Commissions Attendance Figures 2025 Boards & Commissions Attendance 337 - 346
15.4
Decision: MONTHLY REPORTS