In January 2025, West Mount Airy Neighbors (WMAN) launched its Zoning Remapping Task Force to examine zoning in three commercial areas in West Mt. Airy.
These areas contain properties zoned CMX-2, which allows four- to five-story mixed-use developments, which some see as out of character with neighborhoods where surrounding buildings, in some cases, are two to three stories.
The areas include Mt. Airy Village, the area with Weavers Way Co-op and High Point Cafe, the Greene/Hortter Street intersection with the Family Dollar, and the intersection of Lincoln Drive and West Mt. Pleasant …
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In January 2025, West Mount Airy Neighbors (WMAN) launched its Zoning Remapping Task Force to examine zoning in three commercial areas in West Mt. Airy.
These areas contain properties zoned CMX-2, which allows four- to five-story mixed-use developments, which some see as out of character with neighborhoods where surrounding buildings, in some cases, are two to three stories.
The areas include Mt. Airy Village, the area with Weavers Way Co-op and High Point Cafe, the Greene/Hortter Street intersection with the Family Dollar, and the intersection of Lincoln Drive and West Mt. Pleasant Avenue with the CVS.
WMAN’s goal is to identify neighbors’ concerns about how potential development in the neighborhood’s commercial districts could affect their quality of life and whether those areas should be rezoned. At the conclusion of this process, they would then share their findings with City Council and suggest any changes determined necessary.
On June 1, WMAN held a discussion as part of this process and shared what it had found so far. The zoning suggestions were preliminary and are not the final version the organization would present to City Council.
For the targeted areas, WMAN looked at including landscaping, street trees, and sidewalk width requirements for potential developments in these properties.
For those properties, WMAN looked at setback and facade requirements to improve the appearance of any future developments.
Currently, for by-right construction on CMX-2 lots, Registered Community Organizations and community groups have little to no input on facade and design.
For Mt. Airy Village, WMAN suggested down-zoning to CMX-1, allowing only for two- to three-story buildings, while maintaining the mixed-use designation.
For the other two areas, WMAN suggested up-zoning to CMX-2.5 or 3, allowing for larger developments, providing more housing in the community, while maintaining stricter facade and setback requirements.
The Greene Street intersection currently has taller apartment towers surrounding it, compared to Mt. Airy Village, which is mostly houses and mixed-use two- and three-story buildings.
With these suggestions being preliminary, WMAN gathered feedback at the meeting and said it will continue to adjust the specifics of the plan. It is ultimately up to the City Planning Commission and City Council to decide on zoning.
