040-21 (ProposedOrdAmendmentsChapters144SubdivisionOfLand&165Zoning) w
WA
Action:
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS: December S, 2021 Approved
RESOLUTION
DIRECTING THE PLANNING COMMISSION TO HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING
REGARDING CHAPTER 144 SUBDIVISION OF LAND AND CHAPTER 165,
ZONING ORDINANCE
STEEP SLOPES
CHAPTER 144— SUBDIVISION OF LAND
ARTICLE II
Definitions
144-2. Definitions and word usage
CHAPTER 165 - ZONING
ARTICLE I
General Provisions; Amendments; and Conditional Use Permits
PART 101 - GENERAL PROVISIONS
§165-101.02. Definitions and word usage
FARM WINERIES, FARM BREWERIES,AND FARM DISTILLERIES
CHAPTER 165- ZONING
ARTICLE II
Supplementary Use Regulations; Parking; Buffers; and Regulations for Specific
Uses
r
PART 204--Additional Regulations for Specific Uses
§165-204.22. Farm wineries, farm breweries; and farm distilleries
INOPERABLE MOTOR VEHICLES
CHAPTER 165—ZONING
ARTICLE I
General Provisions; Amendments; and Conditional Use Permits
PART 101 - GENERAL PROVISIONS
Res.No. 040-21
§165-101.02 Definitions and word usage
ARTICLE II
Supplementary Use Regulations; Parking; Buffers; and Regulations for Specific
Uses
PART 204—Additional Regulations for Specific Uses
§165-204.11. Landfills,junkyards, trash disposal and inoperable vehicles
PEDESTRIAN ACCESS
CHAPTER 165 —ZONING
ARTICLE 11
Supplementary Use Regulations; Parking; Buffers; and Regulations for Specific
Uses
Part 202 Off-Street Parking, Loading and Access
§165-202.03. Motor vehicle access
STREET DESIGN
CHAPTER 144—SUBDIVISION OF LAND
ARTICLE V
Design Standards
§144-17. STREETS
WHEREAS, a request to amend Chapter 144 Subdivision of Land Ordinance and amend
Chapter 165—Zoning Ordinance to clarify, amend and remove requirements contained in general
provisions, supplementary use regulations, regulations for specific uses, and design standards;
and
WHEREAS, the Development Review and Regulations Committee (DRRC) reviewed
the proposed changes to steep slopes, Tann wineries/farm breweries/fann distilleries, and
inoperable motor vehicles at their October 28, 2021 regular meeting and reviewed the
proposed changes to pedestrian access and street design November 18, 2021 regular
meeting; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission discussed the proposed changes at their regularly
scheduled meeting on December 1, 2021 and agreed with the proposed changes; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors discussed the proposed changes at their regularly
scheduled meeting on December 8, 2021; and
WHEREAS, the Frederick County Board of Supervisors finds that in the public
necessity, convenience, general welfare, and good zoning practice, directs the Frederick
County Planning Commission hold a public hearing regarding an amendment to Chapter
144 — Subdivision Of Land and amend Chapter 165 — Zoning Ordinance to clarify, amend and
remove requirements contained in general provisions, supplementary use regulations, regulations
Res. No. 044-21
for specific uses,and design standards; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT REQUESTED by the Frederick County Board of
Supervisors that the Frederick County Planning Commission shall hold a public Dearing
to consider changes to address Chapter 144 — Subdivision of Land and amend Chapter 165 —
Zoning Ordinance to clarify, amend and remove requirements contained in general provisions,
supplementary use regulations,regulations for specific uses,and design standards.
Passed this 8"' day of Decernber 2021 by the following recorded vote:
Charles S. DeHaven, Jr., Chairman Aye Blaine P. Dunn Aye
Shawn L. Graber Aye Judith McCann-SIaughter Aye
David D. Stegmaier Aye Robert W. Wells Aye
J. Douglas McCarthy Aye
A COPY ATTEST
Michael Bollhoefer
Frederick County A inistrator
Res.No. 040-21
F
COUNTY of FREDERICK
Department of Planning and Development
540/665-5651
Fax: 540/665-6395
MEMORANDUM
TO: Frederick County Board of Supervisors
FROM: M. Tyler Klein,AICP, Senior Planner
SUBJECT: Ordinance Amendments— Steep Slopes;Farm Wineries,Farm Breweries,&Farm
Distilleries; Inoperable Motor Vehicles; Pedestrian Access; and Street Design
DATE: December 2,2021
Proposal (Summary):
This is a request to amend Chapter 144— Subdivision of Land and amend Chapter 165—Zoning Ordinance
to clarify,amend and remove requirements contained in general provisions,supplementary use regulations,
regulations for specific uses,and design standards.A summary of changes to each section is outlined below.
1. Steep Slopes
Proposal:
This is a proposed revision to Chapter 144— Subdivision of Land and Chapter 165 —Zoning Ordinance to
amend the definition for "steep slopes" from 15% and 50% respectively to 35%. Both chapters apply to
many land applications such as subdivisions, site plans and the Transfer of Development Rights (TDR)
Program and therefore application of a consistent standard is needed.
Current Zoning& Subdivision of Land Standards:
The Zoning Ordinance definition (§165-101.02) for"steep slopes" specifies land where the slope exceeds
50%. The Subdivision of Land(§144-2)definition for"steep slopes"specifies land where the slope exceeds
15%.
2.Farm Wineries,Farm Breweries, & Farm Distilleries
Proposal:
This is a proposed revision to Chapter 165 — Zoning Ordinance to remove provisions for festival permits
for farm wineries, farm breweries, and farm distilleries. The Board of Supervisors removed Chapter 86 —
Festival Permits from the Code of Frederick County in the spring of 2021. The intent of this Zoning
Ordinance text amendment is to update this provision to align with the removal of Chapter 86 (Festival
Permits). This amendment would eliminate the requirement for a festival permit and removes the limitation
of 100 persons permitted at events held on farm wineries,breweries, and distilleries.
Current Zoning Ordinance Standards:
The Zoning Ordinance (§165-204.22) states that for events occurring at farm wineries, farm breweries or
farm distilleries where 100 people or more are anticipated and will include music and entertainment
festival permit will be required.
DRRC Discussion
Ordinance Amendments—Steep Slopes;Farm Wineries,Farm Breweries,&Farm Distilleries;Inoperable Motor
Vehicles;Pedestrian Access;and Street Design
December 2,2021
Page 2
3.Inoperable Motor Vehicles
Proposal:
This is a request to amend Chapter 165—Zoning Ordinance to prohibit the unscreened storage of inoperable
trailers(trailer,camping trailer, or semitrailer). Currently,the Zoning Ordinance prohibits the unscreened
outdoor storage of inoperable motor vehicles; however, the current definition does not include provisions
for the regulation of trailers. This amendment is seeking to amend the Zoning Ordinance so that trailers
are subject to the same regulations as inoperable vehicles.
Current Zoning Ordinance Standards:
The Zoning Ordinance (§165-101.02) defines "inoperable motor vehicles" as any motor vehicle which is
not in operating condition,or any vehicle which has been partially or totally disassembled by the removal
of tires and wheels, the engine or other essential parts required for operation of the vehicle or on which
there are displayed neither valid license plates nor a valid inspection decal.
The Zoning Ordinance (§165-204.11) Landfills,junkyards, trash disposal and inoperable vehicles, states
that these are not permitted to be stored outside of a completely enclosed structure in all Zoning Districts
except the RA(Rural Areas)District which allows for them to be screened from public roads or surrounding
properties.
4.Pedestrian Access
Proposal:
This is a request to amend Chapter 165 — Zoning Ordinance to for pedestrian walkways/trails to align
Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Ordinance requirements and ensure pedestrian accommodations are
provided to implement Comprehensive Plan policies.
Current Zoning & Subdivision of Land Standards:
The Zoning Ordinance(§165-203.03)currently requires sidewalks only when they are planned as included
in a"corridor or walkway plan."The Subdivision Ordinance(§144-18(A))is more specific in the language:
sidewalks shall be installed in the right-of-way and adjacent to the boundary of the right-of-way of all
proposed and existing streets and shall contain adequate handicapped ramps at all intersections at
intervals acceptable to the Virginia Department of Transportation.
4. Street Design
Proposal:
This is a request to amend Chapter 144 — Subdivision of Land to modify the requirements for minimum
right-of-way for each street classification (local street, minor collector, major collector, and arterial
roadways), to ensure the design of the roadway fulfills future roadway classification as specified in the
Comprehensive Plan, and to ensure the design of the roadway meets all current criteria as required by the
Virginia Department of Transportation(VDOT).
Current Zoning Ordinance Standards:
The Subdivision of Land (§144-17) currently includes only minimum right-of-way which may be
insufficient for planned future conditions contained in the Comprehensive Plan.
DRRC Discussion
Ordinance Amendments—Steep Slopes;Farm Wineries,Farm Breweries,&Farm Distilleries;Inoperable Motor
Vehicles;Pedestrian Access;and Street Design
December 2,2021
Page 3
DRRC & Plannine Commission Summary:
The Development Review and Regulations Committee (DRRC) discussed the proposed amendments for
steep slopes,farm wineries/farm breweries/farm distilleries,and inoperable motor vehicles at their October
28, 2021,meeting and were supportive of the proposed changes. The DRRC proposed changing the steep
slopes definition for both the Subdivision and Zoning Ordinance to 35% (this change is reflected in the
revised text).
The DRRC discussed the proposed amendment for pedestrian access and street design at their November
18,2021,meeting and were supportive of the proposed changes. No additional comments were provided.
The Planning Commission discussed this item at their December 1, 2021, meeting. The Planning
Commission asked staff to confirm that "farm use" trailers, like vehicles, would not be impacted by the
change to the definition/additional regulations for "inoperable motor vehicles;' staff noted that farm use
trailers would be exempt like farm use vehicles.
Conclusion and Requested Action:
The attached document shows the existing ordinance with the proposed changes as drafted by staff(with
bold italic for text added). This item is presented for discussion. Staff is seeking direction from the
Board of Supervisors on the appropriateness of this request and if the item is ready to be scheduled
for public hearing.
TK/pd
Attachment: 1.Revised ordinance with additions shown in bold underlined italics.
Proposed Changes—Steep Slopes
Revised November 18,2021
Chapter 144—Subdivision Ordinance
ARTICLE II
Definitions
§144-2 Definitions and word usage.
Steep Slopes
Land where the slope exceeds 4344 35%
Chapter 165—Zoning Ordinance
ARTICLE I
General Provisions; Amendments; and Conditional Use Permits
Part 101
General Provisions
§ 165-101.02 Definitions and word usage.
Steep Slopes
Land area where the slope excee4s-50% 35%.
Proposed Changes—Farm Wineries,Farm Breweries,and Farm Distilleries
Drafted October 15,2021
Chapter 165—Zoning Ordinance
ARTICLE II
Supplementary Use Regulations; Parking; Buffers; and Regulations for Specific Uses
Part 204
Additional Regulations for Specific Uses
§ 165-204.22 Farm wineries,farm breweries, and farm distilleries.
Farm wineries,farm breweries and farm distilleries in the RA(Rural Areas) District shall meet the
following requirements:
A. Farm wineries.A farm winery shall be licensed as a Class A or Class B farm winery in
accordance with § 4.1-207 of the Code of Virginia,as amended, and shall be located in the RA
(Rural Areas)District.No farm winery shall be established until an illustrative sketch plan has
been approved.All activities specified under § 15.2-2288.3E of the Code of Virginia shall be
permitted.
B. Farm breweries(limited brewery).A farm brewery shall be licensed as a limited brewery in
accordance with §4.1-208 of the Code of Virginia, as amended, and shall be located in the RA
(Rural Areas)District.No limited brewery shall be established until an illustrative sketch plan has
been approved.All activities specified under § 15.2-2288.3:1 of the Code of Virginia shall be
permitted.
C. Farm distilleries (limited distiller).A farm distillery shall be licensed as a limited distiller in
accordance with § 4.1-206 of the Code of Virginia,as amended, and shall be located in the RA
(Rural Areas)District.No limited distillery shall be established until an illustrative sketch plan
has been approved.All activities specified under § 15.2-2288.3:2 of the Code of Virginia shall be
permitted.
D. The following activities are permitted accessory uses at farm wineries,breweries and distilleries:
1) On-site tours.
2) Kitchen and catering activities.
3) Providing light refreshments and appetizers(food preparation beyond this,excluding
catering for events, shall require a conditional use permit for a restaurant).
E. Events shall be permitted only on farm wineries, farm breweries and farm distilleries of 10 acres
or larger.Events for the purposes of this section shall include but are not limited to meetings,
conferences,dinners,festivals,and wedding receptions.
F. An illustrative sketch plan in accordance with the requirements of Article VIII shall be submitted
to and approved by Frederick County for all farm wineries,distilleries and breweries.
G. Farm wineries,breweries and distilleries that share a private access easement with another
property owner/s must show the easement allows a use of this type or written permission must be
obtained by the sharing parties.
Proposed Changes—Inoperable Motor Vehicles
Drafted October 15,2021
Chapter 165—Zoning Ordinance
ARTICLE I
General Provisions; Amendments; and Conditional Use Permits
Part 101
General Provisions
165-101.02 Definitions and Word Usage.
INOPERABLE MOTOR VEHICLE OR TRAILER - Any motor vehicle, trailer, camping trailer, or
semitrailer, which is not in operating condition, or any--:vehiele which has been partially or totally
disassembled by the removal of tires and wheels,the engine or other essential parts required for operation
of the vehicle. Vehicles, trailers, campinz trailers, and semitrailers shall also be considered inoperable
if they do not display a valid license plate or a valid inspection decal.
ARTICLE II
Supplementary Use Regulations; Parking; Buffers and Landscaping; and Regulations for Specific
Uses
Part 204
Additional Regulations for Specific Uses
§ 165-204.11 Landfills,junkyards,trash disposal and inoperable vehicles and trailers.
Landfills, junkyards, automobile graveyards, dumping and trash heaps shall be permitted only where
specifically allowed by the zoning district regulations of this chapter.Where allowed, such uses shall meet
all requirements of the Frederick County Code and applicable state and federal regulations.
C. Inoperable motor vehicles and trailers.
1) Inoperable motor vehicles and trailers shall not be stored outside of a completely enclosed
building in the following zoning districts:
RP Residential Performance
R4 Residential Planned Community
R5 Residential Recreational Community
MH1 Mobile Home Community
HE High Education
MS Medical Support
BI Business Neighborhood
B2 General Business
Proposed Changes—Inoperable Motor Vehicles
Drafted October 15,2021
B3 Industrial Transition
OM Office-Manufacturing Park
M1 Light Industrial
M2 Industrial General
EM Extractive Manufacturing
2) Inoperable motor vehicles and trailers permitted to be stored outside of a totally enclosed building
shall be completely screened from public roads or surrounding properties.Permitted screening shall
include opaque fences,opaque landscaping or opaque natural vegetation.
Proposed Changes—Pedestrian Access
Drafted October 20,2021
Chapter 165—Zoning Ordinance
ARTICLE II
Supplementary Use Regulations; Parking; Buffers; and Regulations for Specific Uses
Part 202
Off-Street Parking,Loading and Access
§165-202.03 Motor vehicle access.
D. Pedestrian access. Safe pedestrian walkways shall be provided to all uses on land included in a
master plan or site plan approved by Frederick County. Sidewalks and multi-use trails shall be
provided in conformance with adopted Comprehensive Plan policies for present and future
roadway classifications and/or approved master development plans.
general system of pedest44an aeeess in residential neighbor-hoods of:Intsiness eefr-idar-s Sidewalks
shall be installed in the right-of-way and adiacent to the boundary of the right-of-way of all
proposed and existing streets and shall contain adequate handicapped ramps at all intersections
at intervals acceptable to the Virginia Department of Transportation. There shall be a minimum
two-foot-wide grass strip or swale between the street edge and the sidewalk, where sidewalks are
required.Sidewalks shall be a minimum offrve(5)feet wide;multi-use trails shall be a minimum
of ten (10) feet wide.
Proposed Changes-Road Classification
Revised November 9,2021
Chapter 144- Subdivision of Land
ARTICLE V
Design Standards
§144-17 Streets
K. Classification. The classification of proposed streets shall be determined by the Frederick County
Comprehensive Plan or by the standards of the Virginia Department of Transportation DOT.
The subdivider may be required to reserve rights-of-way for and/or construct major roads as well
as minor streets where applicable and construct appropriate road improvements,bicycle and
pedestrian accommodations and access points.
1) Local street.A "local street" shall be a street within a subdivision which may be required to
serve as access to adjoining property or to connect with streets in an adjoining subdivision.
a-ad having an average daily pr-ejeeled 4affie eetml a4 fidil btiild et4 of zero to 400 a-vef-age
t+a€€ei
a) Minimum right-of-way width shall be 55-feet(with curb and kutter, and pedestrian
accommodation on both sides) or as required by VDOT standards..
2) Minor collector.A "minor collector" shall be a street within a subdivision that collects traffic
from local streets and distributes it to the major collector and arterial system. These streets
provide land access service and traffic circulation within residential,commercial and
industrial areas and may be required to serve as access to adjoining properties or to connect
with streets in adjoining subdivisions.
heel r-s by the F,-ede-iek G,,ut4y r emp-eheasiN e P! Minor collectors shall be
constructed to the Virginia Department of Transportation Urban Design Standards.
a) Minimum right-of-way shall be 60-feet(with curb and gutter, and pedestrian
accommodation on both sides)or as required by the 3,14 inn r,o,..,,-,ment Er
Tfcmspeft"eii VDOT standards.
3) Major collector.A "major collector" shall be a street that collects traffic from local streets and
minor collectors and distributes it to the arterial system. These streets provide links to higher
classified routes and serve as important intracounty travel corridors.Major--eelleete sha4
h�we a pr-e�eeled a:ver-age daily tfaffie eou+4 a4 fW1 build et4 40fn 3,001 to 6,000 average dai!J4
P-lafl-.
a) 44iiiifnwn i4ghl of way shail be 90 feet.Minimum right-of-way requirements and
roadway desizn shall reflect the future roadway classification as desiznated by the
Comprehensive Plan (includinz total number of lanes,medians, curb and putter and
pedestrian accommodations) andlor as required by VDOT standards.
Proposed Changes—Road Classification
Revised November 9,2021
4) Minor arterial. A "minor arterial" shall be a street designed to provide for either primary or
secondary through traffic movement between major secondary roads, collectors, arterials or
other major thoroughfares.Minor arterials interconnect and supplement the principal arterial
system with a greater emphasis on land access and a lower level of traffic mobility-.-44+e
a Minifnwn right o�n�90 �Minimum right-of-way requirements an
roadway design shall reflect the future roadway classification as designated by the
Comprehensive Plan (including total number of lanes, medians, curb and gutter and
pedestrian accommodations) and/or as required by VDOT standards.
-5} Major arterial. A "major arterial' shall be a street designed as a major carrier of through
traffic_
and shall be eeas4tteted to the following stmdar-ds:
a) .Minimum right-of-way requirements
and roadway design shall reflect the future roadway classification as designated by
the Comprehensive Plan (including total number of lanes, medians, curb and gutter
and pedestrian accommodations) and/or as required by VDOT standards.
b) Controlled access with service drives shall be required.