CEAMinutes2023May25
MEETING MINUTES
OF THE
FREDERICK COUNTY CONSERVATION EASEMENT AUTHORITY
Held in the Planning Department Conference Room of the Frederick County Administration
Building at 107 North Kent Street in Winchester, Virginia on May 25, 2023.
PRESENT: Diane Kearns, Chairman; Todd Lodge, Vice-Chairman; Lowell Henderson, Patricia
Scheulen-Ferrell, Philip Haines, Ryan Dougall, Charles Triplett, Planning Commission Liaison;
and Judith McCann-Slaughter, Board of Supervisor Liaison
ABSENT: Elaine Cain, Treasurer
STAFF PRESENT: Wyatt Pearson, Planning Director and Pam Deeter.
OTHER: Derek Brill and Debra Bonarti, Commissioner of Revenue Office and Jeff Feaga,
Potomac Conservancy
PUBLIC MEETING
Welcome and Introduction
The meeting was called to order by the Chairman Kearns at 9:00 a.m. and she determined there
was a quorum.
Annual Organizational Activities
a. Election of Officers
Chairman Kearns shared the present officers with the Committee.
Mr. Lodge made a motion to nominate Ms. Kearns and Mr. Henderson seconded the
motion. The floor was closed for nominations. The vote was unanimous for Ms. Kearns
as the Chairman.
Ms. Kearns made a motion to nominate Todd Lodge for Vice-Chairman and was seconded
by Mr. Haines. The floor was closed for nominations. The vote was unanimous for Mr.
Lodge as Vice-Chairman.
Ms. Kearns made a motion to nominate Elain e Cain for Treasurer and was seconded by
Mr. Lodge. The floor was closed for nominations. The vote was unanimous for Ms. Cain
as Treasurer.
b. Adoption of Bylaws
Mr. Henderson made a motion to approve the 2023 Bylaws with an insertion under Article
II-Purpose (to administer the Frederick County Conservation Easement Purchase Program
pursuant to the ordinance establishing the Program and administrate and funds that may be
appropriated) and seconded by Mr. Lodge. The vote was unanimously approved.
c. Selection of Meeting Dates and Times
Chairman Kearns asked members if the time of the meeting works for everyone. There was
discussion as far as the time. Everyone was agreeable with the time of 9:00 a.m. and
meetings would be held only if needed.
Update on Transfer Development Rights
Mr. Pearson gave an update on the TDR program. Mr. Pearson said the rural landowner is
selling to developers in the urban area or a developer that has land in the rural areas and
selling the land to himself. There are 1,300 rights which means the landowner has received
a letter of intent.
Mr. Pearson introduced an overview of the Stafford County PDR (Purchase of
Development Rights) program. The program is voluntary, and the County pays the
landowners to restrict residential development on their land. The landowner retains
ownership and can reside on property and continue to farm. The property can be sold but
the easement remains for perpetual. This program would complement the TDR program
and give the landowner more options.
Chairman Kearns said the focus of the Authority is mainly on Conservation Easements,
but the Authority can expand to other opportunities that would preserve the land. Chairman
Kearns would like to see the Board of Supervisors allocate funds for conservation
easements.
Judith McCann-Slaughter said the Board of Supervisors starts looking at the budget in
November. She suggested that the Committee put together a budget for a specific item
which could be presented to the Board of Supervisors.
Discussion
Jeff Feaga spoke on behalf of Potomac Conservancy activities. The conservancy focuses
on West Virginia, Virginia, and Washington D.C. watershed. The Conservancy is working
with Back Creek watershed looking at the water quality and watershed. This easement
extends from northern Frederick County Virginia to Berkely County West Virginia. The
Conservancy is looking for agricultural and wooded property for easements and funding
might be available. The Conservancy will help apply for funding for the landowner.
Chairman Kearns recapped that she would contact United Land Trust for a representative
to give a presentation sometime in August.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:52 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
____________________________
Diane Kearns, Chairman
______________________________
John A. Bishop, CEA Secretary