HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-11 Comments (2)Homespun an 1.790 Tea Room
Homespun Gifts and Gardens is located on the south side of Cedar Creek Grade, specifically at .94.9
Cedar Creek Grade, g/ mile from the center of Winchester at the Winchester City -Frederick County Tine, .
It is literally at the doorstep of two large subdivisions called "Harvest Ridge," one part of which houses
single family homes and the other part of which houses an active "over 55" community. Homespun is a . .
unique, 2500. square foot, 18`h century log dwelling with stone, frame and brick additions, including.a
double porch and deck area that adds another 900 square feet of useable space. It is one of the few.
known examples of a house with a "dog -trot" plan in Frederick County and as such was added to the
Virginia Historic Register and the National Register of Historic Places shortly after being renovated .(to
full commercial standards) in 2002.
Homespun Gifts and Gardens has a current conditional use permit granted in 2002 as a Country -Store,
and has been operated successfully over as such over the last seven years by Mary Turner, wife of local
commercial realtor RJ Turner. It offers a wide selection of locally made, hand crafted goods ranging
from wood carvings and statues, stained glass, quilting, jewelry, and other small gift items, all displayed
under a consignment arrangement between Ms. Turner and the artists. The one acre lot and structure
are currently zoned residential but are as mentioned above are being operated under a conditional use
permit granted in 2002.. (note: the one acre adjoining lot is located over the county line in the City of:
Winchester, and is zoned B-1 commercial).
Starlite Companies, LLC, owned by Jane Nelson, has entered into a sales agreement with Turner
Enterprises ,LLC for the purchase of Homespun and is currently seeking support for a proposed revised.
use as follows:
1. Starlite Companies LLC intends to retain the existing business called "Homespun", augmenting
its retail offerings with gourmet candy, snacks, and baked goods. We intend to make no
adjustments to the exterior of the existing log structure (except perhaps a refresher painting
and the addition of period shutters on the facade).
2. Starlite Companies LLC intends to add to the concept of "Homespun" by offering a limited
service, 24 -seat tea room offering a traditional British tea menu (soups, salads, tea sandwiches,
scones and pastries), five days per week from 11A-4PM. There will be no adiustments to the
interior of the property to accommodate seating for the tearoom. The only necessary interior
modification will he the conversion of the lower floor "kitchen" area (currently designated for a
kitchen but lacking fitments) to a health department approved semi -commercial grade kitchen
that will be able to service the tearoom. There will be no structural additions or deletions to the
kitchen area; upon discussion with Matt Bloom of the Frederick County Health Department.we
learned that given the nature of the menu, the existing space and type of materials used in the
renovation of the building are of an acceptable grade. We need only add additional lighting,
approved appliances, cabinetry and sinks. We intend, insofar as we are able, to retain the period
feel of the kitchen when doing the fitting out.
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JUN 2 3 2010
Note: the property already has a VDOT approved commercial entrance as well as parking for 13 cars
and one handicapped vehicle. The parking area would be ample space for a maximum count of 24
diners in the tea room. It is not expected that this proposed use would alter traffic flow significantly.
The property is also currently on public water and sewer.
3. Starlite Companies LLC will also operate a company doing business as V2V Gallery, who will
provide photographic services to the local community and will exhibit its work at Homespun.
V2V intends, with proper zoning and building approval, to build a building up to 800 Sq Ft on the
existing lot and in keeping with the main house. The current intention is to build a log and
timber framed structure which will be sympathetic to the style of the historic building. The
Planning/Zoning Department will determine the positioning of the building, but the
recommendation of the Historic Resources Advisory Board is to locate it to the rear of the lot
parallel to the boundary (the rear boundary of the lot currently backs to storm drainage and is
approximately 50 yards from the nearest residence). This tentative location has been sketched
on the enclosed survey. This plan currently has the support of the Frederick County Planning
Department, who will assist with a variation in the existing 50 foot setback distances from the
boundary of the main lot. This building will be used to provide a working studio and gallery
space to exhibit photography and other art works both by V2V Gallery and by other local
artisans. The building's interior will be handicapped -accessible, and we intend to add disabled
access from the parking area to the main door of the gallery by building an ADA approved ramp.
Note: we do not expect that the addition of this building would add significantly to traffic flow or
require additional parking, as it is likely that those guests who are visiting the tearoom and the gift shop
would be the same guests as those who would be visiting the Gallery. Any photographic services
offered to the local community would be strictly by appointment.
We look forward to meeting with all of you and hope for your support in our use of Homespun. We
apologize for the short notice, but we would appreciate your feedback as soon as possible as we are
hoping to get on the schedule for the July 21 Planning Commission hearing and therefore would need to
receive your comments back by Monday, June 28 to meet the submission deadline, I personally can be
reached at 540 532-0935 should you need to ask any further questions.
Kind Regards,
Jane Nelson
Managing Member
Starlite Companies, LLC