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Home My WebLink AboutPCMinutes2025December3 Frederick County Planning Commission Page 4234 Minutes of December 3, 2025 MEETING MINUTES OF THE FREDERICK COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION Held in the Board Room of the Frederick County Administration Building at 107 North Kent Street in Winchester, Virginia on December 3, 2025. PRESENT: Tim Stowe, Chairman/Red Bud District; Charles Markert, Red Bud District; Roger L. Thomas, Vice Chairman/Shawnee District; Elizabeth D. Kozel, Shawnee District; Kevin Sneddon, Opequon District; Thomas Bottorf, Opequon District; Justin Kerns, Stonewall District; Charles S. DeHaven III, Stonewall District; Betsy Brumback, Back Creek District; Jeff McKay, Back Creek District; Vaughn Whitacre, Gainesboro District; Joseph M. Crane, Gainesboro District; John J. Lamanna, Member at Large. ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Wyatt G. Pearson, Director; John A. Bishop, Assistant Director; M. Tyler Klein, Senior Planner; Shannon L. Conner, Administrative Guaranty Coordinator; Andrew R. Fox, County Attorney. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Stowe called the December 3, 2025 meeting of the Frederick County Planning Commission to order at 7:00 p.m. INVOCATION Nick Payne, Associate Pastor, of Crossroads Community Church delivered the invocation. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner Thomas led the Pledge of Allegiance. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Upon a motion made by Commissioner Thomas and seconded by Commissioner Kozel the Planning Commission unanimously adopted the agenda for this evening’s meeting. ------------- Frederick County Planning Commission Page 4235 Minutes of December 3, 2025 COMMITTEES Frederick Water – 11/18 25 Commissioner Bottorf shared the operations summary for October, noting that our region remains under a drought watch, along with more than half of Virginia. He continued, a member asked about water availability for economic development and was advised that Frederick Water works with the Frederick County Planning Department and Economic Development Authority to plan for future needs. Historic Resources Advisory Board – 11/21/25 Chairman Stowe reported the Board reviewed an application of Virginia Technology Park rezoning. A discussion continued for the use of the historic preservation funding and a discussion was held on the possibility of sending a liaison to the Conservation Easement Authority meetings. Board of Supervisors – 11/12/25 Vice-Chairman Thomas, reported on behalf of Supervisor Liero the Board approved REZ #08-25 for Eastgate Commerce Center (proffer amendment). The Board send forward to Public Hearing; Ordinance Amendment – RP District Dimensional Requirements; and Ordinance Amendment – Public Utilities – Transmission and Distribution. City of Winchester – 11/18/25 Commissioner Pifer, City of Winchester Planning Commission Liaison, reported, a Public Hearing was held on the following items; A CUP consideration to revoke a conditional use permit for Milano’s Sports Bar, which was approved for revocation; and a conditional use permit request for Lanzetta Properties LLC to operate an automobile and truck sales establishment, with a favorable recommendation. ------------- CITIZEN COMMENTS Chairman Stowe called for citizen comments on any subject not currently on the Planning Commission’s agenda or any item that is solely a discussion item for the Commission. No one came forward to speak and Chairman Stowe closed the public comments portion of the meeting. ------------- Frederick County Planning Commission Page 4236 Minutes of December 3, 2025 PUBLIC HEARING Rezoning #07-25 for Madison 277 (Madison II, LLC) Action – Recommend Approval M. Tyler Klein, Senior Planner, reported this is a request to rezone one parcel totaling approximately 149.02+/- acres from the RA (Rural Areas) Zoning District to the R4 (Residential Planned Community) Zoning District with proffers to enable the development of residential and commercial uses. Mr. Klein shared the revised proffer statement dated (11/12/25): decrease in the total number of units; decrease in the number of units to be developed prior to minimum commercial SF; a commitment to fully implement SJR recommendations for improvements at site entrance/Route 277; and inclusion of design proffers and exhibit for commercial and residential structures. He presented zoning maps of the property. Mr. Klein gave a site history of the project. A Comprehensive Policy Plan Amendment (CPPA #01-23) was approved by the Board of Supervisor on January 10, 2024. The CPPA created a new non-contiguous Urban Development Area (UDA) to encompass the subject property and Lake Frederick community and designated the subject property with a mixed-use industrial office (MUIO) and neighborhood village land use designation. He noted, the CPPA was requested by the same owner seeking a rezoning. Mr. Klein continued, the Comprehensive Plan identifies the subject properties with a land use mix of mixed use commercial/office (MUCO) and neighborhood village. The subject property is within the limits of the Sewer and Water Service Area (SWSA) and the urban Development area (UDA). Further, the Southern Frederick Area Plan (SOFRED) identifies the subject properties within the Lake Frederick Urban Development Area sub planning area. He noted, the Plan further states: “in order to serve the needs of the growing residential community in and around the Lake Frederick Urban Development Area, medical uses should be considered within the core commercial areas around the Route 277 corridor.” Mr. Klein shared the revised proffer statement dated November 12, 2025. He explained the Transportation and site access improvements needed for the proposal. Mr. Klein concluded, the Planning Commission held a work session on November 5, 2025 and discussed several issues and requested the Applicant address prior to the public hearing: land use phasing including the total number of units and timing of commercial uses; transportation improvements including fully implementing signal justification report intersection improvements, and justification for cash contributions for off-site improvements; high quality design elements including building materials, design of multifamily buildings, and further justification for the height modification design modification for age-restricted multifamily structures; and overall site density exceeding that is presently enabled to the ordinance (4dwelling units/acre) and greatly exceeding the existing/neighboring Lake Frederick community (2.3 dwelling units/acre). Craig George, representing the Applicant shared a presentation of the proposal. Vicky Lord, project manager for Valley Health came forward and spoke in favor or this application. Chairman Stowe called for anyone who wished to speak regarding the Public Hearing to come forward. Nine members (Marv Davis, Steve Prader, Bill More, Scott McGeery, John Toliver, Brian Lilly, Jay Martz, Elizabeth Crider, Leslie Spencer) of the public spoke regarding the proposed rezoning and expressed concern with the perceived strain the development would have on existing water, sewer, and transportation infrastructure, particularly along Route 277. Residents of the Lake Frederick community expressed concern with the viewshed from their community, the uncertainty of what commercial uses would be developed, impacts to the Lake Frederick natural feature, and the lack of Plan conformity. No one else came forward and the Public Hearing was closed for the public comment portion. Frederick County Planning Commission Page 4237 Minutes of December 3, 2025 Planning Commissioners discussed the proposed rezoning and shared their concerns. The Commissioners directed the Applicant to continue to refine the application to address the Plan conformity, the timing and size of the commercial area, building materials and quality of construction, building height, and mitigation of transportation impacts. Upon motion made by Commissioner Bottorf and seconded by Commissioner Markert to postpone the item until the January 21, 2026 meeting. BE IT RESOLVED, the Frederick County Planning Commission does unanimously recommend postponement to January 21, 2026, of REZ #07-25 for Madison 277 (Madison II, LLC). ------------- OTHER Wyatt G. Pearson shared the current planning items that have recently been submitted or updated: the site plans for the fourth high school and two elementary renovations have been submitted; Winchester East is continuing to move forward. ADJOURNMENT No further business remained to be discussed, and a motion was made by Commissioner Thomas to adjourn the meeting. This motion was seconded by Commissioner Bottorf and unanimously passed. The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ____________________________ Tim Stowe, Chairman ___________________________ Wyatt G. Pearson, Secretary