Downtown Revitalization
HISTORY
In 2007, Winchester was one of six cities across Tennessee selected for the Courthouse Square Revitalization Pilot Project Act. This created a tax rebate zone in a portion of downtown which generates a funding source for the revitalization of Downtown Winchester. The Winchester Downtown Program Corporation (WDPC) received spending and administration authority for these funds in 2008 to overcome limitations encountered by the City. That same year, the WDPC undertook a master planning process to guide the investment of these funds, and in 2009, a Façade Improvement Program began which remains ongoing today.
Beginning in January of 2011, Winchester's elected officials and staff collaborated with the WDPC to develop new design regulations, based upon the master planning process, which would protect the City's substantial investment in the downtown area. Throughout the development of the design regulations, special attention was paid to balancing the public's interest in a vibrant downtown and private property rights. In support of the design regulations then under development, the Winchester Municipal-Regional Planning Commission conditionally adopted the Winchester Downtown Master Plan on April 18, 2011 and formally adopted an updated version on September 19, 2011.
WINCHESTER DOWNTOWN MASTER PLAN
DOWNTOWN OVERLAY DISTRICT & DESIGN REVIEW
The City's collaboration with the WDPC grew into the Downtown Overlay District which became effective on August 29, 2011 as part of Ordinance No. 928 which amended the City's existing zoning ordinance. The new Downtown Overlay District supplements the existing C-1 zoning that has been in place since 1980 by providing required design standards and suggested design guidelines for property owners, business owners, and developers to follow. A new Design Review Commission has also been established to review new developments, renovations, and maintenance that would alter the exterior appearance of a building or property within the boundary of the Downtown Overlay District. Overall, the design review process is meant to protect the downtown from unsightly development that would detract from its appearance and reduce property values.
Ordinance No. 928
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 DRC Application | 153.76 KB |