HRABMinutes2024August16Frederick County Historic Resources Advisory Board (HRAB)
Mee�ng Minutes
August 16, 2024
First Floor Conference Room of the County Administra�ve Building
107 North Kent Street, Winchester, VA
Members Present: Lucas Cook, Jack Owens, Dana Newcomb, Nicholas Powers, and Elijah Filbert
Members Absent: Gary Crawford, Robert Molden, Steve Cantu
Others Present: Maral Kalbian, Kayla Peloquin, Wyat Pearson, and Barbara Houdershell
Agenda Items:
Call to order at 10:00 a.m.
Item 1: Introduc�ons
Members introduced themselves as there was a new member in atendance.
Item 2: Minutes
Nick Powers made a mo�on to approve the June 21, 2024 mee�ng minutes. Jack Owens seconded the
mo�on. The minutes were approved unanimously.
Item 3: Review of Houdershell Rezoning Applica�on
Staff provided informa�on on the proposed rezoning of +/- 5 acres from the M1 (Light Industrial) District
to the RA (Rural Areas) District with no proffers. The property is located at 8183 Valley Pike, Middletown
and adjoins Middletown to the north (PIN 92-A-28B). Monte Vista, the historic home on the property
was built in the 1880s and is a unique architectural resource in the county that is also listed on the
Virgina Landmarks Register and the Na�onal Register of Historic Places. Mrs. Houdershell added that it
was unknown for many years that the property was zoned M1 as it has always been used as a residence,
and the downzoning to RA would help protect the property. Members suggested a conserva�on
easement may be another op�on for the applicant through the Department of Historic Resources if they
were interested.
Lucas Cook made a mo�on to recommend approval of the rezoning. Dana Newcomb seconded the
mo�on. The mo�on passed unanimously.
The HRAB directed staff to dra� a leter to Middletown expressing concern with the new proposed
industrial development adjacent to Monte Vista and offer to provide formal comment on that special use
permit applica�on that is being processed by Middletown. Staff will dra� a leter and share with the
commitee for feedback. The HRAB also directed staff to dra� a leter to Mrs. Houdershell sta�ng their
apprecia�on for the opportunity to review the rezoning, state that the commitee will send a leter to
Middletown regarding the proposed industrial development, and provide informa�on on conserva�on
easements for reference.
Item 4: Historic Plaque Program
There was an update to the informa�on that was in the agenda packet. Upon further inves�ga�on,
Wyat Pearson stated there are funds le� from the original dona�on for the historic plaque program that
has been in an interest-bearing account with $16,820.59 available that could be moved to a line item
specifically for historic plaques and historic signage. If the funds were to be moved to the plaque
program, they would need to be spent rela�vely quickly as they cannot sit indefinitely in that account.
Members discussed some ideas for con�nuing the plaque program with this funding, which would likely
involve ge�ng three quotes for plaques to the finance department. The planning department s�ll has
the mold from the original plaque cas�ng. Staff will look into pricing for the original plaque design in
advance of the next mee�ng.
The mee�ng was adjourned at 11:10 a.m.