East Panhandle Times

The City of Martinsburg Planning Department sent out over 3500 Certified letters, per the Martinsburg Zoning Ordinance, to inform property owners of a proposed change to the definition of Medical Clinic in Section 4.07 of the MZO, referencing Project Number 2023-39-a Text Amendment Application for the Downtown (DT), Medical Institutional (MIN), Mix Use Commercial (MUC), and Urban Residential (UR) Zoning Districts. 

Per the current zoning ordinance, a medical clinic is defined as a licensed institution providing same day walk-in, or urgent medical care and health services to the community, primarily ill or injured out-patients, which is not a hospital, and which is not a medical office, and which shall not include methadone or drug rehabilitation clinics. Provision of an indoor waiting area for use by individuals when a portion of the facility is not opened for operation is required, so that clients will not be required or allowed to queue for services outside. 

Per the proposed amendment, the existing language will remain and the following language will be added for clarification: Provided a medical clinic may also include medical research experimental and testing laboratories, including the manufacturing, processing, repacking and sale of medical and personal care products. 

The following language will also be stricken: Neighborhood Service uses may operate only at times during which the use is not a nuisance to adjacent uses, except for the following uses, which may be open 24 hours: fitness club, athletic club, dance studio, and gym; mailing and delivery services; medical clinic; photocopying and printing; and veterinary services/animal hospital (no outdoor kennels).

The City of Martinsburg has notified all property owners of those properties within DT, MIN, MUC and UR districts of this change, as the Medical Clinics will be allowed, by right, to MUC Districts, continue to be allowed by right in MIN districts, and by Special Exception in DT & UR Districts. 

There is a public hearing to solicit comment on this issue scheduled for Wednesday, July 5, 2023 at 6 PM in the George Karos Community Room at the Martinsburg Police Department, 125 W. Race Street. Written comments can be emailed to the address below or mailed to City of Martinsburg Planning Department PO Box 828 Martinsburg, WV 25402.

As always, you can contact the Planning Department directly at 304-264-2131 ext. 266 or via email at planning@cityofmartinsburg.org. Please be patient as staff is returning calls and emails as quickly as they can. 

Original Source can be found here.