HRAB 06-19-07 Meeting MinutesFrederick County Historic Resources Advisory Board (HRAB)
June 19, 2007, 6:30pm
Held in the Board of Supervisors Executive Session Room of the County
Administrative Building at 107 N. Kent Street, Winchester, VA
Meeting Summary (not official minutes)
Members Present: Elizabeth Fravel (Vice -Chairman), Mary Turner, Martin Killingbeck,
Gary Oates (Planning Commission Liaison).
Members Absent: Rhoda Kriz (Chairman), Stacey Yost, Claus Bader, Virginia McClure,
Maral Kalbian (Consultant).
Staff. Lauren Krempa, Planner I
Agenda Items: May 2007 Minutes, Comprehensive Policy Plan update
Other: N/A
The meeting began at 6:30 P.M. The first item of the agenda was the approval of the
May 2007 minutes. Ms. Turner motioned to approve, the motion was seconded by Mr.
Killingbeck, and the minutes were unanimously approved.
The second agenda item was a discussion of the history chapter of the County's
Comprehensive Policy Plan. Members engaged in a round table discussion of the chapter
as well as areas of weakness and strength in the chapter as it relates to historic
preservation.
Members were provided with chapters from surrounding localities to evaluate.
Beginning with the history of Frederick County, members suggested updating all
information (number of acres of battlefield land, etc). Ms. Turner suggested providing a
brief description of each of the major battlefields and fortifications in the county since so
many are currently being affected by development. Members also recommended
including a list of historic properties and updated maps in the Plan.
Members discussed the need to identify more potential historic districts and began
discussion regarding these. Mr. Oates suggested the possibility of creating a voluntary
program, similar to the County's Agricultural & Forestal Districts, which would allow
property owners to protect their historic properties/structures. HRAB members decided
that each member should locate as many potential historic districts as possible in their
respective magisterial districts for discussion at the next meeting. Staff offered to
provide members with maps/books to assist them with the identifying process. Members
felt that these potential districts could identify a "sphere of influence" around the actual
district as well which may help preserve view sheds of historic properties.
Ms. Fravel pointed out the need for stronger language in the Comprehensive Plan to
encourage the preservation/protection of historic properties. Mr. Oates pointed out that
the language can be as vague or as specific as the County wants and that different areas
of the county may need. different degrees of discussion in the text of the comprehensive
plan. All members present agreed that the current language of the Plan did not provide
enough guidance for the protection of the County's historic resources.
Members discussed that the expectations for the treatment of properties should be laid out
in the chapter and that perhaps the plan could identify types of preferred development
surrounding historic properties/battlefields.
Members also suggested cooperating with the Parks and Recreation department as well as
the schools to provide some co -located park opportunities.
Staff told members that the draft would be updated with their suggestions in time for the
next meeting and reminded members to begin identifying areas in their individual
magisterial districts that might be appropriate potential historic districts.
There being no other business the HRAB adjourned at 9:00 P.M.