CEA_05-22-08_Meeting_MinutesMEETING MINUTES
• OF THE
FREDERICK COUNTY CONSERVATION EASEMENT AUTHORITY
Held in the Executive Session Room of the Frederick County Administration Building at
107 North Kent Street in Winchester, Virginia on May 15, 2008 at 8:00 a.m.
PRESENT: Diane Kearns, Chairman; Jim Lawrence, Treasurer; Gene Fisher, Board of
Supervisors Liaison; Cordell Watt, Planning Commission Liaison; Robert Solenberger;
John Marker; Phil Glaize; and Todd Lodge
ABSENT: Ritchie Wilkins, Vice - Chairman; and John Gavitt
STAFF PRESENT: Amber Powers, Planning Technician
OTHERS PRESENT: none
PUBLIC MEETING:
1. Minutes and Agenda
John Marker moved to approve the minutes of the March 20 and April 24
meetings as presented in the agenda package. The motion was seconded and
• approved unanimously, along with the approval of the agenda for the May
meeting with the addition of one item: Timing for Snapp PDR Application
Response.
2. CEA contribution to the 2008 Comprehensive Plan
Member's present expressed their overall satisfaction with the most recent draft.
Two minor changes were made under the Implementation Methods heading.
Ms. Kearns noted that the comp plan language currently stresses only the
conservation tools that the County is actively using / or considering, but that is
still a valuable first step. She then asked members to consider where in the
comprehensive plan the conservation section should be placed, (either the Land
Use section or Environmental section). The Mr. Lawrence pointed out that is
would be very compatible with the new environmental section being proposed.
Mr. Fisher agreed but also pointed out that it may receive more exposure within
the Land Use section.
After further discussion, Mr. Solenberger made a motion to 'approve the
Comprehensive Plan section with the two minor changes, and proposed that the
CEA recommend that the section be included in the Land Use Chapter. Mr.
Lawrence seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
•
Frederick County Conservation Easement Authority —b4—
Minutes of May 15, 2008
3. PDR Press Release and Information Packaging & PDR Application Timing
Ms. Kearns spoke to the members about the need to make sure that the respond
within the window of time necessary regarding the PDR application the CEA
• received from the Snapp family. She also pointed out that the group needed to
publicize the availability of the PDR money to the public as well as offer
informational events regarding the PDR program and conservationeasements in
general. Ms. Kearns suggested having one or two informational events this year,
and one large event that would also serve as a Fundraiser.
The fundraiser could, she explained, be held in mid - August, or earlier. Local
foods could be on the menu, local vendors could prepare it, and the outdoor,
evening event would be on a local farm with horseback riding and or other
activities.
The fundraiser could also be held in someone's house during the week, in the
evening after work hours with light food, information etc. Sever possible
locations were mentioned, and more information might be available next month.
The group discussed a wide range of ways to publicize the PDR program,
informational meetings and fundraiser including:
• For a future fundraiser with a specific property's development rights purchase
campaign: show map with property divided into sectors, each with a price that
represents the value of development rights for that section, (have $20 sections,
and $100+ sections).
• Flyers and Brochures in paper and electronic versions should be designed to go
out to local conservation and agricultural- related offices and organization
websites.
• Farm Bureau • FSA
• VCC • CEA website
• Potomac Conservancy • County Planning Office
• Invite reporters from The Star, VA Daily, and Channel 3 to come sit down for an
interview with Diane, Jim and Amber.
• Public Announcement Box in Newspapers, and in local organization newsletters
• Re- examine application to make it more legible and then
• Offer an example of a filled -out application for PDR consideration on the CEA
website, using a property that already has an easement. (Need landowner's
permission to be used as example.)
In terms of content regarding the informational meeting, it was suggested by Mr.
Solenberger that someone with a law background discuss the possible pitfalls of
establishing an appropriate conservation easement. (Perhaps Mr. Jesse
Richardson could lead a case study ?)
Ms. Powers noted that if members would like to submit language to be included
in the flyers she would distribute them to local organizations and thelpress.
• It was also noted that the bylaws indicate that the CEA should respond with a
decision regarding and Easement Application within one year. As to when this
Frederick County Conservation Easement Authority
Minutes of May 15, 2008
• year was to begin was under some question as the PDR program had not yet been
publically announce and application calls have not yet been made, thus no action
or decision could be properly made regarding the Snapp application for some
time. It was determined however, that the group would be able to publicly
announce the program and allow for enough time to accept and review
applications before facing the end of the one -year mark.
4. Easement Updates
The group held a brief discussion regarding local easement activity and interest.
Additional information regarding properties discussed in this portion of the
meeting will be included in the July Agenda.
5. Next Meeting
Due to a conflict on the fourth Thursday, it was agreed that the CEA would meet
on the Third Thursday of the .Tune, the 19 at 8:00 a.m.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 9:30 a.m.
C
•
Respectfully submitted,
C'b�� to cuS
Diane Ke i s, Chairman
Eric R. Lawrence, Secretary
Frederick County Conservation Easement Authority
Minutes of May 15, 2008