Urbanna Town Council mulls two dwellings on a West Ave. quarter acre lot

A proposal to build two dwellings on a quarter-acre lot at 181 West Ave. dominated the Urbanna Town Council meeting on May 22. Area neighbors spoke against having two dwellings on one lot, objecting to possible future rental properties.

The property is owned by Hallinski Properties LLC of Moseley, which is requesting a Special Use Permit (SUP) for construction of an “Additional Dwelling Unit” above a storage area in a detached accessory structure that would be 26 feet by 26 feet, anticipating construction of a larger single-family primary residence.

During council’s public hearing, property co-owner Zack Lapinski told council he intends to first build a smaller dwelling of about 1,375 square feet; and later would build a larger accessory dwelling unit “when we can afford it.” Lapinski told council, “They will not be two permanent residences for two different families. I’m not asking for a multifamily dwelling.”

Analysis

Town and zoning administrator Ted Costin’s analysis states “the proposed use would not have an adverse effect on the surrounding neighborhood” and recommended approval of the SUP with conditions. One condition prohibits using either dwelling for short-term rentals and it states; “the Additional Dwelling Unit will not be rented for periods less than thirty (30) days.”

The Urbanna Planning Commission recommended approval with conditions.

The property is a pie-shaped lot at the intersection of Cross St. and West Avenue and has a small building that will be demolished, said Lapinski.

The property is not in the town’s historic district.

Rental vs owned    

The SUP application submitted by Hallinski Properties states accessory buildings are a use by right (that does not need special permission) per the town’s zoning ordinance. A similar SUP request in the same general area was approved at 201 Colorado Avenue by the town council on July 25, 2024, states the application. At the meeting Lapinski said the Colorado Avenue SUP was for conversion of an existing single car garage into an accessory dwelling.

“Rental town”

During the May 22 public hearing Patsy Panis of Taylor Avenue, who lives near the subject property, said she was concerned that “the planning commission was very unsure what was before them.”

“I’m not sure what’s actually going to be built there,” said Panis, adding she has lived in Urbanna since 1977. “I don’t think the town wants to become a rental town. Are we all going to start putting ADUs (accessory dwelling units) in our backyards and renting our houses and moving someplace else? If he wants to build a primary residence right there on that lot I’m all for it. I don’t understand why we need two dwellings on a .27 acre property.”

Panis asked council to table the SUP request to research Lapinski’s proposal.

Precedent setting    

Lisa Wiggins of Colorado Avenue told council that allowing two dwellings on one lot will lead to more development. “This variance will set a precedent which will affect the housing density of our community and with time potentially cause the overdevelopment of our community,” said Wiggins.