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HRAB 05-19-20 Meeting MinutesFrederick County Historic Resources Advisory Board (HRAB) May 19, 2020 Board of Supervisors Room of the County, Administrative Building 107 North Kent Street, Winchester, VA Members Present: Crawford, Power, Cantu, Meadows Members VIA Phone: Oldham, Straub Members Absent: Molden, O’Neil, Rush Staff Present: Candice Perkins and Maral Kalbian Agenda Items: Call to order at 6:00 p.m. Item 1: Election of Chairman and Vice-Chairman – Oldham (Chairman), Crawford (Vice-Chairman) Item 2: September 2019 Minutes - approved Item 3: Review of a Conditional Use Permit for Foxglove Solar, LLC The Historic Resources Advisory Board (HRAB) considered the above referenced Conditional Use Permit application during their meeting on May 19, 2020. This application seeks to construct a utility scale solar project located on six parcels of land that total 668.5 acres (370 disturbed). There is a northern site and a southern site that encompass this permit. The Project will consist of rows of ground-mounted photovoltaic modules, commonly known as solar panels. The HRAB reviewed information associated with the applicants HRAB and CUP application, the applicant’s Assessment and Probability Analysis, Impact Analysis Statement, and preliminary site plan. The Virginia Department of Historic Resources identified the following on or near the site. • The northern area is bordered by Marlboro Road to the north and rural residential lands to the east, south, and west, and by rural residential lands and Buffalo Marsh Run to the west (PINS: 73-A-21, 84-A-39, 84-A-40A and 84-A-40). The following have been identified on or near the northern area: o Miller House (34-0254) – Not Evaluated – Onsite o Bauserman House (34-0077) – Potentially Eligible o Ash House/Deerfield Acres (34-0076) – Potentially Eligible o Valerie Hill/Rust Hill (34-0139) – Potentially Eligible o Baldwin Clarke House/Buffalo Marsh (34-0140) – Eligible o House, Route 625 (34-0239) • The southern area is bordered by Vaucluse Road to the north, Hites Road to the west, Klines Mill Road and rural residential lands to the south, and rural residential lands to the east (PINS: 84-A-29 and 84-A-50). The following have been identified on or near the southern area: o Woodbine Farm (34-5075) – Potentially Eligible – Onsite o Shiley Farm (34-0264) – Potentially Eligible o Farmhouse, Route 633 (34-0429) – Not Eligible – Onsite o Inn at Vaucluse DHR 034-0138/0220 Historic Resources Advisory Board Comments: The HRAB questioned the Applicant on their proposal and requested clarification on the following: • Length of the Lease and what happens if sold – the applicant responded it was up to 35 years and then the site is decommissioned. Any sale would result in the lease being transferred. • The HRAB was concerned about the panel height vs the height of the fence and initial landscaping. The panels are 8-12’ and the landscaping is minimal for many years – mature landscaping would be 5-10 years • The HRAB questioned how much of the existing woodlands would be kept. The applicant stated that the design is not complete yet, they hope to keep as much as possible but anything within the array field will be removed. • The HRAB questioned the applicant if they had had researched the eligibility of this area being a rural historic district and if this proposal would impact the ability for a district. It was noted that this would impact the ability, however in the future if the facility is removed the area may be eligible again. • It was noted that the Phase 1 survey may show more significant features – the HRAB requested that the applicant study the ability for this area to become a rural historic district. • The HRAB expressed concerns about ruins on the site and requested that they be protected and that no facilities be placed within the battlefield area. After reviewing the information provided, the Historic Resources Advisory Board (HRAB) recommended approval of the CUP with the following comments: • The Applicant should not disturb any structures or ruins that are present on the properties. There are a number of barns, outbuildings, the Miller House ruins, a cemetery, and the overgrown Woodbine Farm main house. These structures should be protected from any disturbance from this project. • No solar structures should be placed in the portion of the property that is located within the limits of the Cedar Creek Battlefield. • A Phase 1 Archeological Survey will be completed as part of the permitting of this project. This survey should document the collection of historic structures on and around this development and determine if this area would qualify as a rural historic district. Item 3: Review rezoning application for Pippin Industrial Park. The Historic Resources Advisory Board (HRAB) considered the above referenced rezoning application during their meeting on May 19, 2020. This application seeks to rezone 19.885 acres from the RA (Rural Areas) District to the B3 (Industrial Transition) District with proffers. The site is located at 4440 Valley Pike, just north of AppleLand Sports. This proposed rezoning is adjacent to Bartonsville, which is an area of historical significance for the County. Per the County’s Comprehensive Plan, developments adjacent to this area should be sensitive to those resources. The Virginia Department of Historic Resources identified the following sites within the immediate area of the subject site: • 034-0127 – Hite, John House – NRHP and VLR Listing • 034-0128 – Bartonsville Mill – NRHP and VLR Listing • 034-0129 – Hite-Marshall House • 034-0316 – House at Bartonsville • 034-0987 – Ebersole-Petrie House • 034-0988 – Funk Farm/Appleland Sports • 034-0989 – Funk Tennant House • 034-0007/076-5168 – Kernstown Battlefield/Opequon Church The HRAB reviewed information associated with the applicants HRAB and rezoning application, the applicant’s HRAB Application, DHR Surveys of structures near the site and the Kernstown Battlefield, the applicant’s proffers and Generalized Development Plan, Impact Statement and the Kernstown Area Plan of the 2035 Comprehensive Plan. Historic Resources Advisory Board Comments: The HRAB questioned the Applicant on their proposal and the visibility of the structures from the surrounding area. The HRAB expressed concern due to the site being higher than the surrounding area and buildings on the ridge would be very visible to the surrounding historic area. The HRAB also noted that this area is the gateway to the Bartonsville historic area and the is no landscaping or enhanced corridor enhancements provided with the application. The HRAB discussed the possibility of the applicant providing enhanced landscaping along with historic signs along Route 11 that could be accessed via the existing entrance on the Appland Sports site. The appearance of the structures was also briefly discussed, if metal type structures are proposed it could impact the corridor and historic context of the area. After reviewing the information provided, the Historic Resources Advisory Board (HRAB) recommended approval of the rezoning with the following comments: • The location of this property serves as a gateway into the historic Bartonsville. The HRAB recommended that the Applicant provide an enhanced buffer along Route 11 to help protect the viewshed and enhance this corridor. Buffering could include a mix of trees and shrubs, low berming and decorative fencing. • The Applicant should provide educational signage along Route 11 that could provide information about Bartonsville, the Kernstown Battlefield and the historical significance of Route 11. The Applicant should provide access to this area from the existing Appleland parking area with a connection to the sidewalk that will run along the frontage of the site. Meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.