NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to the provisions of the Code of Virginia, including but not limited to, Sections 15.2-1433 and 15.2-2204, and the Charter and Code of the Town of Vienna, Virginia, the Town Council will conduct a Joint Public Hearing, with the Planning Commission, on Monday, July 10, 2023, beginning at 8:00 p.m., and on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers, Town Hall, 127 Center Street, South, on repealing Chapters 17 and 18 of the Code of the Town of Vienna and adopting a new proposed Chapter 18, which incorporates the content, as amended, of the previous Chapters 17 and 18.
The proposed Chapter 18 includes the following updates and amendments: reorganization, renumbering, and reformatting of the ordinance; incorporating graphics and hyperlinks; summarizing of dimensional requirements in tables; providing complete tables of uses and relevant use standards for each zoning district; ensuring that all requirements are consistent with the Virginia State Code; clarifying administrative processes and decision authorities; and updating definitions.
The proposed Chapter 18 also incorporates former provisions of Chapter 17 including but not limited to subdivisions, increases to the maximum permitted heights in certain locations (Avenue Center and Gateway South); increases to the front setbacks along Maple Avenue; updates to standards for lighting, signage, parking, loading, landscaping and screening; and reclassification of commercial zones and multi-unit attached residential zones. It also removes the current restriction, in all zones and districts that permit mixed-use development, that an “apartment [must be]… located in a building which is principally occupied and used for other uses permitted” in that zone or district, while continuing to require non-residential uses on the ground floor; and, on parcels zoned for townhouse or duplex development with a current maximum of 8 dwelling units per acre, permits a range of residential development up to 30 multi-unit dwellings per acre. No density changes are proposed for areas zoned for single-unit detached residential development.
The purpose of the update is to implement the Town of Vienna Comprehensive Plan; maintain Vienna as an attractive and harmonious community; encourage economic development; and for other reasons required by the public necessity, convenience and general welfare, and good zoning practice.
At said Public Hearing any and all interested persons will be given an opportunity to speak in favor or in opposition repeal of Chapter 17 and adoption of the proposed updated Chapter 18, or parts therein. Interested persons may also provide written comments to the Town Council by sending them to the Clerk, at mclark@viennava.gov or by US mail c/o Town Clerk, 127 Center Street South, Vienna, Virginia 22180. Written comments must be received by no later than July 26, 2023.
Copies of all pertaining documentation are available in the Office of the Town Clerk and the Department of Planning and Zoning, and may be viewed Monday through Friday during regular working hours, 8:00 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. or online at http://www.viennava.gov/zoningdraft. For more information, please contact the Department of Planning and Zoning at 703-255-6341 or email at DPZ@viennava.gov.
