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HRABMinutes2025February21Frederick County Historic Resources Advisory Board (HRAB) Meeting Minutes February 21, 2025 First Floor Conference Room of the County Administrative Building 107 North Kent Street, Winchester, VA Members Present: Lucas Cook, Gary Crawford, Dana Newcomb, Jack Owens, Delane Karalow, Michael Swedberg, Steve Cantu, and Elijah Filbert Members Absent: Nicholas Powers Others Present: Maral Kalbian, Kayla Peloquin, Wyatt Pearson, Tim Stowe (Planning Commission Representative), Marisa Whitacre (Greenway Engineering), Jan Van Haute (Vaucluse Holdings Inc), Shahriar Etemadi (STS Consulting), Farhang Mojgani (CIVILAND, LLC) Agenda Items: Call to order at 10:00 a.m. Item 1: Introductions – New Members All members introduced themselves. Item 2: HRAB Business – Election of Chair and Vice Chair Lucas Cook was elected as Chair and Steve Cantu was elected as Vice Chair. Item 3: Minutes Steve Cantu made a motion to approve the October 18, 2024 meeting minutes. Dana Newcomb seconded the motion. The minutes were approved. Item 4: Vaucluse Springs Conditional Use Permit Application Staff provided information on the proposed Conditional Use Permit (CUP) application for a special event facility, pubic restaurant, and campground/resort on a +/- 44.25 acre property zoned RA (Rural Areas). The property is located at 231 Vaucluse Spring Lane in the Back Creek Magisterial District (PIN 84-A-53A). The applicants and owner gave an overview of the intention to keep the property rustic, preserve this history of the property and share the story with the guests. The applicants stated no historic structures would be destroyed. The applicants stated it is a priority to be good stewards of the land. HRAB members discussed the history of the site and the Chumley redevelopment. There was a discussion on new construction that is intended to look old may add confusion in the future about the true time period the structure was from, and the applicants acknowledged that new additions will blend in but be distinguishable from original structures. HRAB expressed support for the project and the intentions to preserve the history of the property and open it up to others to enjoy. Gary Crawford made a motion to recommend approval of the CUP. Dana Newcomb seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Item 5: The 522 Plaza Rezoning Application Staff provided information on the proposed rezoning of +/- 0.739 acres of a +/- 2.23 acre property from the RP (Residential Performance) Zoning District to the B2 (General Business) Zoning District. The rezoning seeks to enable the development of a two-story mixed use building containing office and retail spaces. Staff and the applicants reviewed the General Development Plan (GDP) and the proposed buffers surrounding the property. The applicants stated that the rezoning was necessary to implement the desired use. There was a discussion on proximity to Star Fort and the property being within the core area of the Battles of Second and Third Winchester according to the National Park Service. The site has seemingly been vacant for many years and has mature woodlands. The applicants stated they would preserve as many trees as possible, but it would likely be difficult given the size and layout of the site. Jack Owens made a motion to recommend a Phase 1 Archeological Survey be proffered and conducted prior to site development. Lucas Cook seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. Item 6: Historic Plaque Program Funding Staff summarized the process of the funding for the original historic plaque program and stated that roughly $16,000 had been moved to the County general fund due to inactivity. The funding has been moved to a historic interpretation line item in the draft budget, subject to final approval by the Board of Supervisors. If approved, HRAB would need to expend the funds promptly. HRAB discussed the Clarke County Historic District Driving Tour map and the procedure for creating a similar product for Frederick County to increase public awareness of properties with historic plaques and other meaningful sites open to the public. Maral Kalbian, who worked on the Clarke County map, stated property owners were not notified of the map and many disclaimers were added that people must only stay in the public right-of-way and are not permitted on private property. Members expressed interest in a similar project, likely broken down into smaller routes due to the large size of the County. Staff will research the cost of printing brochures/maps in advance of the next meeting. Staff will also bring large format maps with the rural landmarks shown to provide a starting point for route discussions. It was suggested to coordinate with the Winchester-Frederick County Visitor Center and the Winchester- Frederick County Historical Society as potential partners and additional funding sources. More investigation is needed to determine logical routes and how to create a final product. The meeting was adjourned at 11:30 a.m.