HRAB 03-17-15 Meeting MinutesFrederick County Historic Resources Advisory Board (HRAB)
March 17, 2015
Board of Supervisors Executive Session Room of the County
Administrative Building
107 North Kent Street Winchester, VA
Members Present: Lauren Murphy, Elizabeth Fravel, Denny Perry, Stacey Yost, Chris Oldham, Gary
Crawford, Gary Oates, Maral Kalbian
Members Absent: Claus Bader, Clint Jones
Staff Present: Candice Perkins
Applicants Present: Gary Oates for the McCann Slaughter Property, Tim Stowe and Gray Farland for
the Blackburn Property
Agenda Items: February 2014 Minutes, 2015 Meeting Dates, McCann Slaughter Properties Rezoning
Application, Blackburn Property Rezoning Application
Call to order at 6:00 PM.
Item 1: February 2014 - minutes approved.
Item 2: Meeting dates were acknowledged.
Item 3: Review of the Rezoning Application for the McCann Slaughter Properties.
The Historic Resources Advisory Board (HRAB) has been asked to provide a comment pertaining to a
rezoning application for the McCann-Slaughter properties. These parcels are identified by Property
Identification Numbers 44-A-40 and 44-A-25B, in the Stonewall Magisterial District. The McCann-
Slaughter parcels contain approximately 156.6 acres, near the intersection of Martinsburg Pike and
Old Charlestown Road, on both sides of McCann Road, and adjacent to the CSX Railroad. The Board
of Supervisors approved the previously requested CPPA amendment on August 13, 2014, this
approved a designation of industrial, mixed use industrial/office and historic/DSA on the subject
properties in the 2030 Comprehensive Plan.
The HRAB questioned the amount of public space and areas for the civil war group to post signage.
The applicant stated that they will be providing the civil war group with area but not maintenance.
The HRAB also inquired about the type of project, the applicant provided an overview of the office
park along with the signage, and fencing proposed along Martinsburg Pike and Old Charlestown
Road.
After reviewing this information and the applicant’s materials and proposals, the Historic Resources
Advisory Board (HRAB) recommended approval of the McCann Slaughter Rezoning Application with
the following conditions:
A pull off area will be provided to the Shenandoah Valley Battlefield Foundation to provide for
interpretative signage.
The HRAB requested that only one freestanding sign be permitted at the park entrance off of
Old Charlestown Road; said sign should be an office park sign (name of park only), not a
multitenant complex sign.
Text will be added to the proffer regarding the proposed split rail fence along Martinsburg Pike
and Old Charlestown Road.
Item 4: Review of the Rezoning Application for the Blackburn Property.
The Historic Resources Advisory Board (HRAB) has been asked to provide a comment pertaining to a
rezoning application for the Blackburn Property. This site is identified by Property Identification
Number 63-A-80I, in the Back Creek Magisterial District. The Blackburn property contains
approximately 128.82 acres, and fronts Apple Valley Road and Route 37. The rezoning application
seeks to rezone 92 acres of the subject property to the M1 (Light Industrial) District with proffers.
The applicant provided an overview of the project, it was stated that the package will be providing
the Kernstown Battlefield association with a pull off area which will be located on the area currently
zoned. The applicant also stated that they will be preserving as many existing trees as possible as
well as look at expanding the green buffer area around the pond.
The applicant further stated that in regards to the core battlefield designation on the property that
historical maps show most of the fighting for the First Kernstown on the other side of middle road
and further north for the Second Kernstown. This site was predominately used for troop movement
and possibly camps. The applicant is providing KBA with access to the site prior to construction so
that they can search for artifacts. The KBA will be recording their findings and keeping the items for
their museum.
The HRAB questioned the possible maximum heights for the structures, noting that exempt features
have the possibly to go much higher than the 60’ standard. The KBA noted that they were
uncomfortable with higher structures because of the potential to block the viewshed. The applicant
stated that they are proposing 40’ structures but not proffering limitations.
After reviewing this information and the applicant’s materials and proposals, the Historic Resources
Advisory Board (HRAB) recommended approval of the Blackburn Rezoning Application with the
following conditions:
The applicant should consider a maximum height proffer to protect the viewshed of the
Kernstown Battlefield Property, this is especially important because of accessory features
permitted to exceed the height maximums.
Freestanding signage should be limited or prohibited along Apple Valley Road.
The buffer area along the pond should be expanded as much as possible.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.