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Home My WebLink About010-25 (2025-2030Agri&ForestalDistrictRenewal(BackMountain)) COUNTY of FREDERICK RENEWAL Action: PLANNING COMMISSION: July 2, 2025 Recommended Approval BOARD OF SUPERVISORS: August 13, 2025 APPROVED 2025-2030 RENEWAL OF THE BACK MOUNTAIN AGRICULTURAL & FORESTAL DISTRICT WHEREAS, the Code of Virginia requires localities every five years to evaluate, add, renew, or remove properties from its Back Mountain Agricultural & Forestal District was updated and considered. The renewed District will contain 489.91+/- acres. The property fronts Back Mountain Road(Route 600)and borders the Mountain Falls Subdivision to the west and is identified by Property Identification Number 58-A-32D in the Back Creek Magisterial District. This application was reviewed by the Agricultural District Advisory Committee (ADAC), and the Planning Commission during their regularly scheduled meetings; and WHEREAS, The Agricultural District Advisory Committee (ADAC) discussed this request at their meeting on April 15, 2025, and recommended approval; and WHEREAS,the Planning Commission held a public hearing and recommended approval of the 2025-2030 Back Mountain Agricultural & Forestal District on July 2, 2025; and WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors held a public hearing on this renewal of the 2025- 2030 Back Mountain Agricultural & Forestal District on August 13, 2025; and WHEREAS, the Frederick County Board of Supervisors finds the renewal of the 2025- 2030 Back Mountain Agricultural & Forestal District contributes to the conservation and preservation of agricultural and forestal land in Frederick County; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Frederick County Board of Supervisors as follows: The Frederick County Board of Supervisors hereby adopts and renews the 2025-2030 Back Mountain Agricultural & Forestal District consisting of 489.91+/-acres in the Back Creek Magisterial District, with an expiration date of August 13, 2030. This Agricultural & Forestal District is as described on the attached map dated March 26,2025,and the attached property owner's table. This ordinance shall be in effect on the day of adoption. Passed this 13th day of August 2025 by the following recorded vote: Josh E. Ludwig, Chairman Aye John F. Jewell Aye Heather H. Lockridge Aye Robert W. Wells Aye Blaine P. Dunn Aye Robert T. Liero Aye Judith McCann-Slaughter Aye A COPY ATTEST Michael L. Bollhoef Frederick County inistrator Resolution#010-25 AGRICULTURAL AND FORESTAL DISTRICT UPDATE Back Mountain District Staff Report for the Board of Supervisors Prepared: August 5,2025 Staff Contact: Mark Cheran, Zoning Administrator Executive Summarv: Meeting Schedule Agricultural District Advisory Committee Action: Recommended Approval ADAC : 4/15/25 Planning Commission: 7/2/25 Action: Recommended Approval Board of Supervisors: 8/13/25 Action: Pending General District Location The District is located within the Back Creek Magisterial District and fronts Back Mountain Road (Route 600) and borders the Mountain Falls Subdivision to the west. State Code Requirements & District History Chapter 43, Section 15.2-4300 of the Code of Virginia, 1950,as amended,requires that Agricultural and Forestal Districts be reviewed by the local government every five years after establishment.The Board of Supervisors decides to approve, approve with modifications, or deny the proposal to establish or renew a District. The District was updated in 2020. Proposed Changes: Current Proposed 2020-2025 District 2025-2030 District Acreage 489.91 +/- acres 489.91+/- acres Number of Parcels 01 01 Number of Property 01 01 Owners Magisterial Back Creek Back Creek District s Land Use Residential &Agricultural Residential &Agricultural District Characteristics: Agricultural &Forestal Significance: Page 2 of 3 The District is 80 percent agriculture (livestock and crop harvest) and 20 percent mature woodlands. The area within the District is rural in nature. Lakes/Ponds/Streams: The District lies primarily within the Cedar Creek drainage area. The establishment of this District will further assist with managing the quality of the County's water resources. There is a large pond on the parcel. Prime Agricultural Soil: The largest amount of prime agricultural soils located within the District is identified as Hazleton. The District generally varies from broad rolling hills to the west and, gently rolling hills to the north and east. This District lies within the Cedar Creek watershed and water is available from ponds, streams, and springs. Most of the area within the District is in pasture, livestock, and woodland. Comprehensive Plan: The Comprehensive Plan of Frederick County (Comp Plan)provides guidance when considering land use actions. The location of this proposed District lies outside the Urban Development Area (UDA) and Sewer and Water and Service Area (SWSA) and is not part of any land use plan or study by the County. The land use within this proposed District of 489.91+/- acres is residential and agricultural. The current land use should remain in its present land use of pristine condition with land use of agricultural and residential. The intent of the Rural Areas is to maintain agriculture as a significant portion of the County's economy and to maintain the rural character of areas outside of the Urban Development Area. The Comprehensive Plan can accomplish this by promoting the inclusion of additional land in Agricultural and Forestal District. The Comprehensive Plan supports the additions and renewal of the Districts, for it provides an opportunity for the agribusiness community to conduct long range planning efforts for the management of their operations, while providing reserves of agricultural land through the year 2030. Staff Comments: This renewal provides an opportunity for the agribusiness community to conduct long-range planning efforts for the management of their operations. Once renewed,the 489.91+/-acre District will be valid through August 2030. The Agricultural District Advisory Committee (ADAC) unanimously recommended approval of the 489.91+/- acre 2025-2030 Back Mountain Agricultural and Forestal District at their meeting on April 15, 2025. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the 489.91+/- acre 2025-2030 Back Mountain Agricultural and Forestal District at their meeting on April 15,2025. Following a public hearing, a decision regarding this 2025-2030 Back Mountain Agricultural and Forestal District by the Board of Supervisors would be appropriate. 1 1 1 : . • §4 �� • OHO%p� � �� p ♦� p t LW p� 4�0� �0�` i •• ,;. . "M 41"! 4r R-Vol" IN.4% OWN; fflt4 -10WAN174 MOVE AL AF 0 0 AAA