The  City  initiated a project with Frazier Associates in 2021 to update the existing design guidelines for the Entrance Corridor Overlay Districts. The original guidelines were created by staff in 2008 as way to maintain and enhance the visual and functional aspects of the city's gateways.  There are 13 Entrance Corridor Overlay Districts designated in Staunton, and 10 lead into historic districts.

Well-maintained and visually appealing entrance corridors can significantly enhance a city's image, making it a more desirable place to live, work, and visit, which in turn strengthens our local economy. Entrance corridor guidelines help manage growth along key roads, preventing haphazard development and ensuring a consistent, well-planned look. They're a tool for creating order and enhancing our city's overall appearance.

The City currently implements the corridor overlay process through the Community Development Department.

February 2025 Update

The city's entrance corridor guidelines will be updated following the completion of the comprehensive plan in 2026, to guarantee consistency across all planning efforts. By delaying the entrance corridor updates, the City can ensure any new guidelines align perfectly with the overall city vision. Implementing changes prematurely could create inconsistencies and limit the City’s ability to address the community's long-term needs in a holistic way.

January 2024 Update

City Council reviewed the proposed Corridor Overlay Design Guidelines, as presented, and made a determination that the current Zoning ordinance in the Staunton City Code, Title 18 Chapter 18.83 Entrance Corridor Overlay District, will need to be updated along with the guidelines.  City staff is exploring project options for a Zoning Code update.

 July 2023 Update

July 27, 2023 Final Draft Staunton Corridor Overlay Design Guidelines City Council Workshop

July 2023 Final Draft Staunton Corridor Overlay Design Guidelines

March 2023 Update 

March 16, 2023 Frazer Associates, Planning Commission Workshop Powerpoint

March 2023 DRAFT Staunton Corridor Design Guidelines

Spring 2022 Outreach

• Public Survey — The primary goal of this questionnaire is to gather information from property owners, tenants and the general public on their knowledge of the design review process for businesses located in the corridors and any experience that they may have had in the design review process. The information gained from these questionnaires will be useful in creating updated design guidelines and the questionnaire results will be reported back to the project Advisory Committee, the Planning Commission and to City Council as well. The survey closed on Friday, April 22 at 11:59 p.m.
• Public Workshop — The workshop was held April 6 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Rita S. Wilson Council Chambers, City Hall, and it began with the presentation "Evolution of Staunton's Corridors" by Bill Frazier, followed by small group work discussions on the entrance corridors. There was an opportunity to watch the presentation by Bill Frazier and the wrap up from home, but viewers were not able to participate via zoom. 
• Outreach Results (coming soon)

February 2022 Update

Frazier Associates prepared a Staunton Corridor Analysis Report.

December 14, 2021 Update

Frazier Associates presented to Staunton City Council about the entrance corridor overlays and what steps would be taken to develop the new design guidelines. City staff also shared the implementation of an advisory committee to work with Frazier Associates  and staff throughout the process. Audio from that meeting is available on the City's YouTube Channel and the presentations from that night are also available.