Harrisonburg Planning Commission Meeting – April 9, 2025

The Harrisonburg Planning Commission held its regular meeting on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the City Council Chambers. The Commission voted on two public hearing items and reviewed annual reports. Key actions included recommending approval of a special use permit for a permanent supportive housing development and a rezoning request.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes of March 12, 2025: Approved by voice vote (5‑0, with Councilmember Dent abstaining).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 4.a – 1812 Erickson Avenue Special Use Permit: Rick Gardner, an adjacent property owner, expressed concerns about insufficient parking (20 spaces for 40 units) and high density. He urged careful planning to avoid future problems. Applicant Frank Gordon responded that residents are unlikely to own cars and that the density is within zoning limits.

Discussion Items

• 4.a – Special Use Permit for 1812 Erickson Avenue (KP’S CARS LLC):

  • The applicant seeks a special use permit to construct two 3‑story buildings with 40 efficiency/one‑bedroom units for permanent supportive housing, serving clients of the Harrisonburg‑Rockingham Community Services Board.
  • Key proposals: parking reduction to 0.5 spaces per unit; a sidewalk/shared‑use path connection between the buildings and the Walmart property; and a 48‑month (rather than 36‑month) period to establish the use.
  • Staff initially recommended a sidewalk connection, later amended to allow either a sidewalk or shared‑use path to the property line. The applicant argued that additional amenities could jeopardize competitive state funding.
  • After discussion, the Commission supported the staff‑recommended condition, clarifying that the path must connect to the Walmart property line (amendable to include tax map number).
  • Key Outcomes: Motion to recommend approval with the amended condition and 48‑month extension passed 6‑0 (Chair Baugh recused). The recommendation will go to City Council on May 13, 2025.

• 4.b – Rezoning of 380 Sunrise Avenue (Jason Burch):

  • Request to rezone a ±13,315‑square‑foot property from R‑1 (Single‑Family Residential) to R‑8C (Small Lot Residential District Conditional) to bring existing nonconforming setbacks into compliance. The applicant plans a future third‑story addition, which would require a separate special use permit.
  • Chair Baugh recused himself due to a conflict of interest (his law firm represents a nonprofit of which the applicant is an officer). Vice Chair Finnegan presided.
  • Staff recommended approval; no public comment was received.
  • Key Outcomes: Motion to recommend approval passed 5‑0. The recommendation will go to City Council on May 13, 2025.

• 5.a – Planning Commission Annual Report 2024:

  • The report summarizes all items considered by the Commission in 2024, including staff and Commission recommendations and City Council actions. Corrections were noted (e.g., date discrepancies for Weston Park and Lucy Drive).
  • Key Outcomes: Approved 6‑0 to forward to City Council on May 13, 2025, with corrections.

• 5.b – Community Development Annual Report 2024:

  • The report covers administrative zoning activities, minor subdivisions, and final plats. Commissioners asked about certificates of occupancy and proactive code enforcement (suspended due to understaffing). Member Dent corrected a date error (honeybee ordinance adopted in 2024, not 2025). No action was required.

• 8.a – Rockingham County Planning Commission Liaison Report:

  • Commissioner Washington reported on two County actions: a rezoning for a behavioral health/substance use treatment center in Timberville (approved 5‑0) and an ordinance amendment increasing minimum private street widths from 22 to 24 feet (approved 5‑0).

• 8.c – City Council Report:

  • Councilmember Dent summarized actions from March 25 and April 8 meetings, including approval of amended proffers for Mosby Road, the Capital Improvement Program, a private towing advisory board ordinance, and revisions to Vision 2045 (moving “City for All” to the top). On April 8, the Council approved Cats’ Cradle, tabled Smithland Road, and approved Divine Unity Community Church’s expansion request for a wrestling club, among other items.

• 9.a – Preview of Next Month’s Applications:

  • Staff listed six upcoming items, including a special use permit for 160 Carpenter Lane, a rezoning on Bruce Street, amendments for 865 Port Republic Road, an alley closing for Newtown Cemetery, and another alley closing near 295 Franklin Street. The Commission agreed to hold one meeting in May.

Key Outcomes

• Item 4.a: Recommended approval (6‑0) of the special use permit with the amended sidewalk condition and 48‑month extension; forwarded to City Council on May 13, 2025.
• Item 4.b: Recommended approval (5‑0) of the rezoning; forwarded to City Council on May 13, 2025.
• Item 5.a: Approved (6‑0) the Planning Commission Annual Report with corrections; forwarded to City Council on May 13, 2025.
• Item 5.b: Received as information; no vote.
• Next Steps: Staff will send Rockingham County liaison dates; Vice Chair Finnegan will attend the May 6 meeting; Chair Baugh will attend the July 1 meeting; a volunteer is needed for June 3.