HomeMy WebLinkAboutHRABMinutes2026April17Frederick County Historic Resources Advisory Board (HRAB)
Meeting Minutes
April 17, 2026
County Board Room
107 North Kent Street, Winchester, VA
Members Present: Lucas Cook, Nicholas Powers, Gary Crawford, Delane Karalow, Steve Cantu, Michael
Swedberg, Dana Newcomb, Jack Owens, Maral Kalbian and Justin Kerns, Planning Commission Liaison.
Members Absent: Elijah Filbert
Staff Present: Eric Bittner, Wyatt Pearson, Tyler Klein,
Agenda Items:
The meeting was called to order at 10:01 a.m.
Item 1: Minutes –
1.A November 21, 2025 - Gary Crawford made a motion to amend Michael Swedberg as attending and
approve the minutes as amended. Steve Cantu seconded. Unanimous approval.
1.B. February 20, 2026 – Jack Owens made a motion to approve. Cantu seconded. Unanimous approval.
Item 2: Winchester Gateway – Conditional Use Permit
Tyler Klein provided an overview of the application to develop a data center campus (+/- 805,000 square
feet) on +/- 71.85-acres of land zoned M1(Light Industrial) Zoning District. The subject property is located
southwest of the intersection of Middle Road and Apple Valley Road, and east of Route 37 in the Back
Creek Magisterial District. Mr. Klein provided a summary of the Board’s previous review of the application
at their February 20, 2026 meeting and requested documents.
Chris Mohn with Greenway Engineering represented the applicant. Chris Mohn provided more
background on the project and the findings of the Phase 1 Archeological Survey results.
Jack Owens requested what the HRAB’s recommendations were in the 2023 rezoning.
Tyler Klein responded with the Phase 1 survey and that the height should match the surrounding area. The
applicant’s was response was to proffer a 60’ limit, in keeping with what other properties are allowed to
reach, but the surrounding industrial averages approximately 40’.
Discussion ensued regarding the viewshed from the respective historic properties of the Kernstown
Battlefield and Sandy’s Ridge.
Discussion ensued regarding the widening of Apple Valley Road.
Point of order, audience.
Justin Kerns inquired about power distribution and if new lines were needed.
Chris Mohn responded a substation is needed, but no new easements or new disturbance is required.
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Discussion ensued regarding the building height.
Discussion ensued regarding applicable requirements to the substation.
Delane Karalow inquired about water usage and battery storage.
Chris Mohn responded there will be no batteries and they will be using a public water system.
Discussion ensued regarding water usage.
Point of order, audience.
Discussion ensued regarding the building height and methods of reducing its impact.
Tyler Klein stated that the Shenandoah Valley Battlefield Foundation’s letter submitted to the Board
includes recommended conditions, and these may be incorporated into a motion.
Jack Owens summarized the letter.
Michael Swedberg asked what happens to the artifacts from the study.
Chris Mohn responded that they are either in the a research lab or DHR.
Discussion ensued regarding the recommendations and report of the Phase 1 Archeological Survey.
Justin Kerns inquired if the viewshed of the sensitive historic ground and measures such as greenscaping
were within the purview of the HRAB.
Eric Bittner responded yes, those comments could be put into the recommendation motion.
Tyler Klein added that color requirements could also be part of a recommendation.
Gary Crawford inquired about whether the structure could be put underground.
Wyatt Pearson advised he would need to consult with the County Attorney and spoke regarding what
counts as a “reasonable” condition.
Discussion ensued about a height specification.
Delane Karalow stated that the entire rt. 11 corridor is historically rich and opposes development in that
area.
Wyatt Pearson clarified that if the CUP is denied, a data center cannto be built.
Tyler Klein stated that previous discussions were concerns over traffic of other uses.
Discussion ensued regarding recommended conditions and recommended action.
Nick Powers made a motion to recommend denial due to impacts on the historic sites identified as
core battlefield and listed as Second Kernstown (VA116) Core Area, the First Kernstown (VA101)
Study Area, and the Second Winchester (VA107) Study Area. But in the event of approval conditions
to reduce visual impacts either or combined with: grading and building height not to exceed forty-five
feet inclusive of rooftop equipment; as well as color and architectural features and materials in
accordance with National Park Service standards; performance of Phase 2 archaeology on the
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recommended locations identified in the Phase 1 archeological survey; and no ground disturbing,
including utilities development, in the areas identified in the study as 44FK-1076 and 44FK-1077.
Steve Cantu seconded.
Newcomb advised that some of the discussion left the purview of the HRAB, and advised the rest of
the board of the HRAB’s purview.
Ayes – 7(Cook, Powers, Crawford, Karalow, Cantu, Swedberg, Owens) Nays – 1(Newcomb)
The meeting was adjourned at 11:42 a.m.
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