HRAB 07-19-22 Meeting MinutesFrederick County Historic Resources Advisory Board (HRAB)
July 19, 2022
First Floor Conference Room of the County, Administrative Building
107 North Kent Street, Winchester, VA
Members Present: Gary Crawford, Steve Cantu, Dana Newcomb, Robbie Molden, and Lucas Cook
Members Absent: Christopher Oldham, Robert Meadows, A. Nicholas Powers, and Scott Straub
Staff Present: Wyatt Pearson, Kayla Peloquin, and Maral Kalbian
Agenda Items:
Call to order at 6:00 p.m.
Item 1: Election of Chairman and Vice Chairman
Gary Crawford was nominated for Chairman and Robbie Molden was nominated for Vice Chairman.
The committee voted unanimously to approve these nominations.
Item 2: Minutes
The minutes of the the November 16, 2021 HRAB meeting were approved.
Item 3: Review of Fruit Hill Rezoning Application
The HRAB considered the Fruit Hill rezoning application to rezone three parcels of land totaling 220.06
acres in the Stonewall Magisterial District. The consultant representing the applicant presented
information on the proposed rezoning for the parcels to allow for the building of a hotel and
restaurant (B2), warehousing (M1), and a technology/data center facility (OM). Additionally, the
applicant plans to construct a new collector road to distribute truck traffic. The applicant has
committed to preserve existing woodland where possible and leave buffers along the property
boundaries.
The consultant stated the parcels currently contain three structures dating back to the 1800s and
1900s but determined that none of them have architecturally distinctive characteristics. The report
concluded that the structures do not warrant further study. Maral Kalbian cautioned that the
properties should not be overlooked due to their normalcy and should be further examined within
the historical context of the region.
Steve Cantu made a motion to recommend a Phase 2 study of the two oldest structures to more
closely examine the building materials and interiors. Gary Crawford seconded the motion. The motion
passed unanimously.
Item 4: Review of Metromont Rezoning Application
The HRAB considered the Metromont rezoning application for two parcels of land totaling 44.74 acres
in the Stonewall Magisterial District. The applicant wishes to expand a precast concrete operation
with a two new access points to relieve traffic on existing roads. It was discussed whether the zoning
ordinance addressed corridor beautification or historic preservation in this context and it was
determined that it did not.
There was a discussion on the possibility of donating a portion of one of the parcels to the
Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation that is adjacent to land already owned by the foundation.
The applicant advised the committee they will continue to have those discussions in good faith.
Dana Newcomb made a motion to recommend the applicant consider leaving buffers along the North
Western edge of the southern parcel (54 A 11) to provide further protections to the adjacent property
and in turn Star Fort as a historic resource. Steve Cantu seconded the motion. The motion passed
unanimously.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:13 p.m.