Winchester planning commissioners recommend approval to convert former psychiatry office at 214 S. Braddock to residence

The Winchester City Planning Commission on Oct. 21 voted to recommend approval of Conditional Use Permit CUP-25-230 to convert a ground-floor nonresidential space at 214 South Braddock Street into a single-family rental unit.

The motion, made and seconded during the commission's public hearing on the item, passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition. The property was described to the commission as part of a duplex; one half already had a long-standing residential use and the applicant seeks to allow the other half to be used as ground-floor housing in the B-1 district.

David Benson, the planning director, summarized the application and noted the staff update to the agenda: “The only update from last time is we received one email from a neighbor in support of the CUP,” Benson said during the presentation.

During the public hearing, Silas Red, who identified himself as a Frederick County resident, praised the local review process and staff responsiveness, saying the experience working with Winchester City and Frederick County had been “night and day” compared with neighboring Loudoun County and thanking staff for responsive communication.

Commissioners asked no substantive questions during the hearing. After the public comment period closed, a commissioner moved to recommend approval of CUP-25-230 “for the conversion of ground floor nonresidential use to a ground floor residential use in the B-1 District at 214 South Braddock Street,” a motion that was seconded and approved by voice vote.

The commission’s recommendation will be transmitted to City Council as part of the land-use review process. The planning director noted that the record includes the neighbor’s supportive email added to the agenda packet.