Winchester-Clark County Planning Commission Meeting – February 10, 2026

The Winchester-Clark County Planning Commission held a regular meeting on February 10, 2026, beginning at 5:51 PM. The commission reviewed seven public hearing items, including zone map amendments, subdivision plats, and development plans. Key decisions included approval of a controversial rezoning for a Dollar General store, a 407-acre planned development rezoning, and several residential subdivision approvals. Public comments raised concerns about traffic, compatibility with the comprehensive plan, and the need for additional infrastructure.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes (January 6, 2026): Unanimously approved by voice vote (motion, second, no discussion).
• Treasurer’s Report: Financial reports were received; no bills to approve. Unanimously approved by voice vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Public Comment (Non-Agenda): A resident asked about traffic considerations for new housing on Boone's Portal Road, but was directed to speak during the relevant public hearing.
• Public Hearing A (1675 Van Meter Road Rezoning):
  • Will Mayer, Executive Director of Clark Coalition: Opposed the rezoning, arguing the development plan did not conform to subdivision regulations or the 2024 comprehensive plan, particularly regarding inclusion of industrial uses in a planned community neighborhood, inadequate street connectivity, and lack of buffer along the urban boundary. He urged denial.
  • Applicant’s Attorney (Mr. Rom): Rebutted that the planned development district permits light industrial, the property has been designated for planned community for 30 years, and the plan meets all requirements. He noted that traffic studies would be required at the final development stage.
• Public Hearing C (4690 Boonsboro Road Rezoning – Dollar General):
  • Kelvin Portwood, adjacent property owner: Opposed, stating the store would ruin his view, create traffic hazards, and is not needed given existing stores within 3-4 miles. He described the area as having 29 homes on 5-acre tracts.
  • Krista Portwood, adjacent property owner: Opposed, noting the site is 3.1 miles from the nearest Dollar General, traffic on 627 is already heavy, and the store would not serve a rural need.
  • Diana Kirk, resident of Old Boonsboro Road: Opposed, citing existing Dollar General staffing issues and the area’s beauty being degraded by a corporate store.
  • Ron Allen, neighbor: Opposed, arguing that existing commercial uses are all mom-and-pop businesses, not a large corporate chain like Dollar General.
  • Applicant’s Attorney (John Rom): Rebutted that the zoning request is consistent with the comprehensive plan’s goals for rural commercial development, the surrounding area is already zoned B3, and the use is permitted in a less intense zone (B1). He noted the variance request reduces parking to minimize impact.
• Public Hearing D (2860 Lexington Road – 198 Single Family Lots):
  • Clip Edwards, resident of Strawberry Lane and employee of Maximus: Expressed concerns about traffic congestion, especially during school events, and urged that stub-out streets be connected to Lexington Road to alleviate pressure.

Discussion Items

• Public Hearing A – Rezoning 1675 Van Meter Road (407 acres from A1 to PD):
  • Staff report (Rob) outlined the request, noting the property is designated for planned community neighborhood in the comprehensive plan, which requires rezoning to PD. The development plan includes light industrial, single-family (R1C, R1D), and multi-family (R4) areas.
  • Commission discussion focused on whether the inclusion of industrial uses conflicts with the “planned community neighborhood” designation. Legal counsel (Bobby) noted that the PD zone explicitly allows light industrial, but the comprehensive plan’s land use designation does not mention it. Commissioners debated consistency with prior approvals and the need for future comp plan updates.
  • The applicant argued that the plan is more detailed than previous PD approvals and that the industrial portion is near the existing wastewater plant and industrial park.
• Public Hearing C – Rezoning 4690 Boonsboro Road (2.699 acres from A1 to B3 for retail):
  • Staff report noted the property is shown as agricultural on the future land use map, but adjacent properties are commercial. The applicant requested a parking variance (20 spaces instead of 31 required).
  • The applicant’s engineer (Will Stevens) stated that traffic counts are 9,100 vehicles per day, similar to a previous Dollar General on Lexington Road, and no turn lanes are required. The building will be set back 20 feet below a hill to screen it from adjacent homes.
  • Legal counsel (Bobby) clarified that the commission must consider the entire comprehensive plan, not just the future land use map. The applicant’s attorney argued that the five criteria for rural commercial development are met.
  • Commissioner discussion included whether to rezone as B1 (neighborhood business) as a buffer. The applicant agreed to B1 if preferred. Ultimately, the motion was for B3.
• Public Hearing E – Amended Development Plan for 2500 Miles Road (94.86 acres, 69 single-family lots):
  • Changes included reducing front yard setbacks from 50 to 30 feet and converting some loop roads to cul-de-sacs due to topography. The applicant stated this improves lot feasibility and does not change density. The plan had been through technical review.
• Public Hearing G – Final Development Plan for 2140 Rolling Hills Lane (1.144 acres, office/garage/metal fabrication shop with living quarters):
  • The applicant explained that the office includes occasional living quarters for a German employee. No public opposition. Commission confirmed landscaping requirements would be met.

Key Outcomes

• Public Hearing A (1675 Van Meter Road): Motion to forward a recommendation to the governing body to approve the zone map amendment from A1 to PD passed with one abstention (voice vote: ayes, one abstention).
• Public Hearing B (2070 Boonsboro Road – Final Plat & Variance):
  • Motion to approve the final subdivision plat for 19 single-family lots, contingent on landscaping notation and sanitary sewer installation, passed unanimously.
  • Motion to approve the bond amount of $760,092 (including 10% contingency) with the condition that sewer be installed, inspected, and approved before plat recordation, passed unanimously.
• Public Hearing C (4690 Boonsboro Road – Rezoning & Development Plan):
  • Motion to approve the zone map amendment to B3 (with associated findings) passed on a roll call vote (all commissioners voted yes).
  • Motion to approve the development plan with a parking variance for 20 spaces (11 below requirement) passed (voice vote: ayes).
• Public Hearing D (2860 Lexington Road – Preliminary Development Plan): Motion to approve the plan for 198 single-family lots passed unanimously.
• Public Hearing E (2500 Miles Road – Amended Development Plan): Motion to approve the amended plan (setback change and cul-de-sac layout) passed unanimously.
• Public Hearing F (300 Royal Oak Drive – Final Development Plan Phase 4A): Motion to approve the plan for 9 single-family lots passed unanimously.
• Public Hearing G (2140 Rolling Hills Lane – Final Development Plan): Motion to approve the plan for office, garage, fabrication shop, and home passed unanimously.
• Adjournment: Motion to adjourn passed (time not noted; meeting began at 5:51 PM and lasted until approximately 9:00 PM as per opening remarks).

Note: Some discrepancies exist between the agenda and transcript regarding the order of items (e.g., public hearing letters). The summary follows the sequence as presented in the transcript. The meeting date is confirmed as February 10, 2026.