HomeMy WebLinkAboutCEAAgenda2026April301.Welcome and Introductions
2.Meeting Minutes
2.A.Meeting Minutes of March 26,2026
3.Comprehensive Plan Progress Update
4.Farm Hop Debrief
5.GardenFest 2026 Planning
6.Other
AGENDA
CONSERVATION EASEMENT AUTHORITY
THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2026
9:00 AM
PLANNING DEPARTMENT CONFERENCE ROOM
FREDERICK COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
WINCHESTER, VA
CEA04-30-26MeetingMinutesMarch26.pdf
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Conservation Easement Authority
Agenda Item Detail
Meeting Date: April 30, 2026
Agenda Section: Meeting Minutes
Title: Meeting Minutes of March 26,2026
Attachments:
CEA04-30-26MeetingMinutesMarch26.pdf
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MEETING MINUTES
OF THE
FREDERICK COUNTY CONSERVATION EASEMENT AUTHORITY
Held in the Planning Department Conference Room of the Frederick County Administration
Building at 107 North Kent Street in Winchester, Virginia on March 26, 2026.
PRESENT: Diane Kearns, Chairman; Todd Lodge, Vice-Chairman Patricia Scheulen-Ferrell,
Leslie Spencer, Charles Markert, Planning Commission Liaison; Albert Orndorff, Board of
Supervisor Liaison.
ABSENT: Elaine Cain, Wendy Dorsey, and Philip Haines.
STAFF PRESENT: John Bishop, Assistant Planning Director.
PUBLIC MEETING
Welcome and Introduction
The meeting was called to order by the Chairman Kearns at 9:00 a.m. and she determined there
was a quorum.
Meeting Minutes
Vice Chairman Lodge made a motion to approve January 22, 2026, minutes and was seconded
by Mrs. Scheulen-Ferrell.
Staff Activity
Mr. Bishop gave an update that Planning Department purchased a canopy with the County logo.
The County is in the process of purchasing sandbags to secure safety when used. Staff noted the
CEA does have some funds from the past. Chairman Kearns suggested to the Committee to
purchase a banner for the CEA events. Staff offered to purchase the banner with the allocated
funds.
Vice-Chairman Lodge made a motion to authorize Mr. Bishop to transfer funds to where the
Committee could use at their discretion and was seconded by Patricia Scheulen-Ferrell. The vote
was unanimously approved.
CEA Calendar of Events:
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April 18, 2026, Farm Hop which is sponsored by the Homesteaders. The registration is free and
the location is Frederick County fairgrounds. A CEA member will be sharing the table with a staff
employee sharing information on the Comprehensive Plan update. Staff and Mrs. Spencer will be
representing the County and CEA.
May 9, & 10, 2026 Blandy Farm (Mother’s Day weekend)
June 6, 2026, Belle Grove Garden Fest. Mr. Bishop will look into the registration for the event.
Chairman Kearns and Mrs. Spencer will represent the CEA Committee.
Website Discussion
Staff mentioned there is still work to be done on the website. The maps have been revised. A land
preservation map is on website. Mr. Bishop stated that on channel 16 before Planning Commission
and Board of Supervisors meetings a series of committee and department information is aired.
Chairman Kearns inquired about a QR code for donations and if that could be aired. Staff stated
Mr. Bittner in Planning Department is creating QR Codes and some QR Codes expire in a year.
The Committee needs to verify a longer expiration. Chairman Kearns mentioned when updating
CEA webpage, she is willing to be a point of contact.
Chairman Kearns stated she had a meeting with the Treasurer’s Office and other employees
inquiring about if citizens could make donations online or by a QR Code. The meeting a was a
favorable one.
Other
Mr. Bishop said the County is updating the Comprehensive Plan sections for example water,
housing, rural preservation and other area updates. The County would like citizen input.
Chairman Kearns stated we missed this year budget cutoff but again before going the Board, CEA
needs a specific item we are trying to protect. The County needs to help the farmers, and the
committee needs to suggest to citizens about the TDR or CEA program.
The goal for the Authority is to raise awareness and raise funds to help protect the County assets.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:24.
Respectfully submitted,
____________________________
Diane Kearns, Chairman
______________________________
John A. Bishop, CEA Secretary
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