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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPCMinutes2026February4 Frederick County Planning Commission Page 4248 Minutes of February 4, 2026 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 February 4, 2026. 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; Mark R. Cheran, Zoning & Subdivision Administrator; Shannon L. Conner, Administrative Guaranty Coordinator; Andrew R. Fox, County Attorney. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Stowe called the February 4, 2026 meeting of the Frederick County Planning Commission to order at 7:00 p.m. INVOCATION Pastor Ernie Poland of Second Opequon 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. ------------- 4 Frederick County Planning Commission Page 4249 Minutes of February 4, 2026 COMMITTEES Frederick Water – 2/2/26 Commissioner Bottorf reported that the Planning Committee heard a report on the new system for meters that is picking up approximately two-thirds of the customers. Upgrades at the Swilinski Plant are moving forward and in about three months should have about a 60% estimate on the total cost of the project. Conservation Easement Authority – 1/22/26 Commissioner Markert reported the Authority adopted the by-laws and officers: Diane Kearns, Chairman; Todd Lodge Vice-Chairman; Elaine Cain, Treasurer; and John Bishop, Secretary. A discussion was held on outreach activities that include things like public events, education, public presence, and social media. All of the activities to educate the public on what the CEA is all about. He noted the CEA has a modest budget to support these efforts. Transportation Committee – 2/2/26 Chairman Stowe reported the Committee received an update on the Project Pipeline for the County, which is seeing a good bit of activity. Potential transit service areas were discussed within the County. The Photo Red Traffic Signal Enforcement was discussed; it can have up to 9 locations per the population. He concluded, speed cameras have been activated at three school locations. Board of Supervisors – 1/28/26 Supervisor Orndorff, Board of Supervisor Liaison, reported the Board approved two Ordinance Amendments with one having a modification to increase the height of the berm. ------------- 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. ------------- PUBLIC HEARING 2025-2030 Agricultural and Forestal District Update – this Public Hearing is to consider parcel additions for the Hayfield, Red Bud, and South Frederick Agricultural and Forestal Districts. Action – Recommend Approval 5 Frederick County Planning Commission Page 4250 Minutes of February 4, 2026 Mark R. Cheran, Zoning and Subdivision Administrator, reported the Agricultural District Advisory Committee (ADAC) held a meeting on December 16, 2025, to review the additions to the three (3) Agricultural Districts. The ADAC recommends approval of the additions to the Districts and forwarded approval to the Board of Supervisors via review by the Planning Commission. The updates to these districts will increase the total acreage of the Frederick County Agricultural Districts from 17,617.95+/- acres to 18,159.65+/- acres. Hayfield Agricultural & Forestal District o The District is located within the Back Creek Magisterial District. o The update will being the total parcels from six (6) to ten (10). o The update will bring the total of property owners from two (2) to three (3). o The update will increase the acreage from 939.90+/- acres to 1,025.54+/- acres Red Bud Agricultural & Forestal District o The District is located within the Stonewall and Red Bud Magisterial Districts. o The update will bring the total parcels from sixty (60) to sixty-three (63). o The update will bring the total of property owners from twenty-four (24) to twenty- seven (27). o The update will increase the acreage from 1,201.43+/- acres to 1,245.29+/- acres. South Frederick Agricultural & Forestal District o The District is located within the Back Creek Magisterial District. o The update will bring the total parcels from 150 to 154. o The update will bring the total of property owners from fifty-seven (57) to sixty- four (64). o The update will increase the acreage from 5,905.84+/- acres to 6,848.48+/- acres. Chairman Stowe called for anyone who wished to speak regarding the Public Hearing to come forward. Kurk Creager of the Back Creek District shared his support of the South Frederick Agricultural & Forestal District update. No one else came forward and the Public Hearing was closed for the public comment portion. Upon motion made by Commissioner McKay and seconded by Commissioner Thomas to recommend approval of the Hayfield, Red Bud, and South Frederick Agricultural Districts update BE IT RESOLVED, the Frederick County Planning Commission does unanimously recommend approval of the 2025-2030 Agricultural and Forestal District Update – this Public Hearing is to consider parcel additions for the Hayfield, Red Bud, and South Frederick Agricultural and Forestal Districts. ------------- OTHER Abby Ferretti, of Partners for Economic Solutions shared a presentation and overview of the Economic Stud that was performed. The study was given to Planning Commissioners is a hard copy form for their review and to forward questions to Wyatt Pearson to be shared with Partners for Economic Solutions for future study. ------------- 6 Frederick County Planning Commission Page 4251 Minutes of February 4, 2026 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 Kozel and unanimously passed. The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted, _________________________ Tim Stowe, Chairman _________________________ Wyatt G. Pearson, Secretary 7