Town Planning Commission Moves Forward with Industrial Zoning, Holds Preliminary Discussion of Urban Agriculture

The Front Royal Town Planning Commission held a work session and regular meeting on March 18 to address revisions to its industrial zoning ordinances, particularly within the I-1 designation. Planning Director Lauren Kopishke advocated against maintaining a proposed list of prohibited uses, arguing that such a list could deter new businesses and quickly become outdated due to technological advancements. She suggested that regulating development through robust performance standards, using data centers as an example, would be a more effective approach than outright prohibitions. Commissioners concurred with the recommendation to remove the proposed list of prohibitions from the current draft, indicating that discussions on this aspect are ongoing and evolving. Chairman Allen Neel also introduced an updated model for capping short-term rentals at 3% of total residential units, with a 2.5% benchmark to trigger an early review for potential saturation concerns. Additionally, the commission initiated preliminary discussions on a comprehensive rewrite of the town's urban agriculture code. Town Attorney George Sonnett highlighted the administrative complexities of the existing code, emphasizing the need for clarity to ensure urban agriculture remains incidental to primary residential use. The rewrite is anticipated to be a substantial, long-term endeavor. The meeting concluded after authorizing advertisements for public hearings scheduled for April.