This Applies to All Landowners
On January 8, four town council members directed Interim Town Manager Kwasi Fraser to deliver the complete draft of a zoning ordinance by January 28, 2025. Three town council members expressed concern that they had not been given the opportunity to review it with the planning staff.
The date of the public hearing is to be determined.
What Citizens Should Know Before the Public Hearing
– The Planning Commission modified the ordinance to address some of the concerns expressed during the public hearing. ( PDH zoning is now a legacy district. Cluster zoning is now grandfathered.)
– The citizens and Purcellville’s Planning Department, led by Summer Wilkes, have identified these remaining concerns (Ms. Summer Wilkes came to Purcellville in December 2023 with an English literature degree from William and Mary and a master’s degree in urban and regional planning from the University of Virginia):
a). Removal of R-3 duplex zoning – Citizens requested that this zoning remain, which provides a level of diverse housing recommended in all Comprehensive Plans.
b). Removal of R-3A district – This district allowed bed and breakfasts. Purcellville lacks overnight accommodations for visiting friends and tourists.
c). Historic property overlay district – In March 2022 the town council denied the adoption of this expansion of a residential historic district. In 2022 about 50 citizens spoke out against this proposed historic district. The Planning Commission added it to the updated zoning ordinance. Per Commissioner Ogelman, ”Since there had been a change in council, now it could pass.”
This proposed overlay district requires that any demolition of “historic homes” must be approved by the town. (The Pullen House had a designation that would have required this approval.)
The previous zoning administrator often noted that it is illogical to tell citizens they can’t take a structure down but they can paint it pink and green with a sparkly roof, which removes historic value. The Planning Commission would say that we are taking “baby steps” or “one bite out of the elephant.” The primary concern of the citizens is this is the beginning of a historic district in which any exterior changes would require government approval.
*From Purcellville’s website. Planning Commission Special Meeting Agenda from July 25, 2024
d) PDH (Planned Development Housing) – Currently Village Case, Courts of St. Francis and Mayfair have this zoning designation. It provides flexibility in planning a unique community with diverse-style homes and open spaces that do not fit into townhouses or single-family homes zoning. This zoning category does not require the town to use it; however, it would be available if it was in Purcellville’s best interest.
e). Removal of cluster subdivision option from the residential zoning categories – The cluster subdivision provision was used in most residential developments in town. This provision does not increase density. Rather, it allows flexibility in designing a community. For example, homes built on cul-de-sacs may have a pie-shaped yard; therefore, yard setbacks may not conform to zoning. Preserving open spaces may require some homes to have larger lots and others to have smaller lots, but together they adhere to the maximum density allowed.
Zoning Notices
Over 1,000 notices were mailed for the Planning Commission’s public hearing. It is anticipated that roughly the same amount will be mailed to property owners notifying them of changes to their existing zoning, as required.
The complete draft zoning document can be found here:
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