By Randy Arrington
LURAY, April 5 — There’s a lot of discussion and decisions being made in the Town of Luray with regard to lodging and housing. Short-term rentals are steadily increasing, apartment units may soon be built, townhomes are being constructed at Luray Landing, and the affordable housing project at Luray Meadows filled up in a matter of weeks.
During its March 13 meeting, the Luray Council approved a special use permit for another bed and breakfast. During its March 28 work session, the council set public hearings on applications for three more short-term rentals. At its next meeting on April 10, council members will consider those applications, as well as a code amendment regarding short-term rentals and changes to the Town code regarding accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
At the March 13 meeting, the council unanimously approved a special use permit application submitted by Lanny Bailey to operate a bed and breakfast at 16 Eden Road in an area zoned for medium-density residential (R-2) with the conditions listed in the permit. The Luray Planning Commission previously held a public hearing at its Feb. 15 meeting and voted unanimously to recommend approval of the application.
On Monday, April 10, the Luray Council will hold public hearings on the following applications:
- Special use permit submitted by 124 Court St. LLC to operate a bed and breakfast home at 233 Mimslyn Lane in an area zoned for medium-density residential (R-2). The planning commission held a public hearing on March 15 and unanimously recommended approval with conditions listed.
- Special use permit submitted by Larry Weedon to operate a lodging house at 109 High Street in an area zoned for high-density residential (R-3). The planning commission held a public hearing on March 15 and voted unanimously to recommend approval of the application with the conditions listed.
- Special use permit submitted by Jane Gharfeh to operate a lodging house at 262 Allison Drive in an area zoned for Planned Neighborhood Development (PND). The planning commission held a public hearing on March 15 and voted unanimously to recommend approval of the application with the conditions listed.
Also at the March 13 meeting, the council unanimously approved a special use permit application submitted by Dwight and Angela Griffith to establish a three-unit apartment at 800 Massanutten Avenue in an area zoned for business (B-1). The 8,500-foot structure that sits on less than a half-acre will be broken into three units. Prior to the vote, the council held a public hearing that drew no speakers. Two conditions were attached to the permit — off-street parking required for six vehicles; and signage considered by a separate permit application. The planning commission unanimously recommended approval at their Feb. 15 meeting.
During last week’s meeting, the council unanimously approved the preliminary and final plat application for the subdivision of seven parcels into 11 open space lots, one well lot, right-of-way and easements for future construction within the Luray Landing Planned Neighborhood Subdivision. The planning commission unanimously recommended approval at its March 15 meeting.
In what will prove to be a lengthy meeting (with at least a half dozen public hearings scheduled), one public hearing on April 10 will focus on an amendment to the Town Code (Appendix A, Article V, Section 518 – Lodging House Regulations) that would establish regulations on the use and operation of all lodging houses operated within the Town. Criteria would include occupancy limitations, safety regulations, prohibited activities, general operation and enforcement guidelines.
In addition, the Luray Council has referred a draft amendment to the Town’s code on accessory dwelling units (ADUs) to the Luray Planning Commission for review. Councilman Ligon Webb drafted the document aimed at easing restrictions on ADUs, and thus helping increase affordable housing and the overall housing supply — key concern driven by the rise in short-term rentals.
In other business at its March 28 work session, the Luray Council also discussed the following issues:
• Set a public hearing for April 10 on a special use permit application submitted by Scenic Serenity LLC to change the use and construct of public storage units at 23 Zerkel Street in an area zoned for limited industrial use (M-1). The planning commission held a public hearing on March 15 and voted unanimously to recommend approval of the applications with three conditions noted — off-street parking required for three vehicles; signage considered by separate application; and no off-site lighting trespass.
• Councilman Jason Pettit stated his intention to recommend Barbie Stombock, owner of Virginia Gift Shop on Main Street, for an appointment to replace Grace Nowak on the Luray Planning Commission. Nowak is stepping down due to her health after three terms serving on the commission. Pettit is expected to make the recommendation at the council’s April 10 meeting.
• After a lengthy discussion on March 28, council members decided to delay any allocation of ARPA funds to local non-profits until after the completion of the FY24 budget process. A handful of non-profits submitted requests as much as two years ago, however council has made no movement on those applications. The council agreed by consensus to pick the issue up again in July, but seemed hesitant to act now due to potential rising costs and unknowns that may emerge over the next 12 weeks during the current budget process.
• On April 10, the council will consider a request from the chief of police to authorize the issuance of Town credit cards to the department lieutenant and sergeants due to the extent of required training for officers and other shift expense issues. The additional credit cards would allow better coverage for training events and should an emergency expense occur during regular shifts.
• On April 10, the council will consider approval of the third and final renewal of the Ralph H. Dean Park concession agreement with Luray Little League to operate concession facilities for the 2023 season. Town staff will develop a Request for Proposals for the 2024 season to include three extensions.
• A public hearing will also be held on Monday, April 10 regarding a budget amendment to the FY23 Town Budget to add and appropriate up to $550,000 in Capital Reserve funding to Capital Improvement Expenditures for the Memorial Drive corridor improvements due to accelerated completion; and add up to $370,000 of revenue from Sewer Fund Facility Fess and Proffer Fees from the Luray Landing development to the Capital Improvement Expenditures for the West Lu Lift Station project.
In other business at its March 13 meeting, the Luray Council also discussed the following issues:
• Approved and authorized Racey Engineering to complete the second phase of the Hawksbill Greenway’s Yagers Spring Extension feasibility and preliminary engineering study. Services include joint permit application submittal for the project, environmental studies, mapping, preliminary geotechnical investigations, and contingency services. The proposed cost for these services is $27,000, with the Hawksbill Greenway Foundation providing $13,500. Racey has also proposed an additional $5,000 to confirm property limits and chain of title for parcels at the site. The council approved the use of $18,500 in ARPA funding to cover the Town’s portion of the overall costs.
• Held a public hearing and voted unanimously to approve a request from Ramsey Inc. to rezone several parcels at Fairview Estates recently brought into Town limits through a boundary line adjustment as Low Density (R-1) Residential District zoned properties to a now High Density (R-3) Residential District. The subject parcels total about 5.28 acres, and the BLA between Ramsey, Page County and the Town specified this request. The planning commission unanimously recommended denial of the application on Feb. 15 based upon citizen concern that increased density through the construction of duplexes. However, the motion for approval made by Councilman Ligon Webb acknowledged the applicant’s proffer to limit development of the 13 lots to only single-family homes. The rezoning will allow the developer construct single-family dwellings on lots with reduced setback and minimum acreage requirement.
• Approved two proclamations — one recognizing March 2023 as Multiple Sclerosis Education and Awareness Month; and the other recognizing Saturday, April 22, 2023 as Arbor Day in the Town of Luray, with a celebration planned at 1 p.m. at Ralph Dean Recreation Park.
• Approved recommending to the Page County Board of Supervisors the appointment of Leslie Currle (of Alcova Mortage on Main Street) to the Page County Economic Development Authority. Currle will fill the void left by the resignation of Meredith Dees as Luray’s representative on the EDA. The term expires January 31, 2027.
• Heard that the Daughters of the Stars Farmers Market applied for a special event permit to operate a farmers market at the Visitors Center/Train Depot from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the third Saturday of each month from May through November. The same organization has been operating a farmers market at Big Gem Park in Shenandoah for the last year or two and is looking to expand. The request will be handled by staff agfter council expressed no concerns and welcomed the group to Luray.
For more information about happenings around Luray,
visit their website at https://www.townofluray.com/
or visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/townofluray
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