PC 09-01-21 Meeting MinutesFrederick County Planning Commission Page 3845
Minutes of September 1, 2021
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 September 1, 2021.
PRESENT: Kevin Kenney, Chairman; Roger L. Thomas, Vice Chairman/Opequon District; Robert S.
Molden, Opequon District; Gary R. Oates, Stonewall District; H. Paige Manuel, Shawnee District;
Elizabeth D. Kozel, Shawnee District; Betsy Brumback, Back Creek District; John F. Jewell, Back Creek
District; Christopher M. Mohn, Red Bud District; Kathleen Dawson, Red Bud District; Charles E.
Triplett, Gainesboro District; Alan L. Morrison, Member at Large.
ABSENT: William H. Cline, Stonewall District.
STAFF PRESENT: Wyatt G. Pearson, Director; Candice E. Perkins, Assistant Director; John A.
Bishop, Assistant Director Transportation; Shannon L. Conner, Administrative Assistant.
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Kenney called the September 1, 2021 meeting of the Frederick County
Planning Commission to order at 7:00 p.m. Chairman Kenney commenced the meeting by inviting
everyone to join in a moment of silence.
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Upon motion made by Commissioner Oates and seconded by Commissioner Thomas the
Planning Commission unanimously adopted the agenda for this evening’s meeting.
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CITIZEN COMMENTS
Chairman Kenney 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 Kenney closed the public comments portion of the meeting.
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Minutes of September 1, 2021
PUBLIC HEARING
Rezoning #04-21 for Orrick Commons submitted by Dave Holliday Construction, Inc. to rezone
33.61+/- acres from the RP (Residential Performance) District to the RP (Residential Performance)
District with revised proffers. The property is located west of the terminus of Farmington
Boulevard (Route 1406) within the Lynnhaven Subdivision and east of the terminus of Farmington
Boulevard within Steeplechase Subdivision in the Red Bud Magisterial District and is identified by
Property Identification Number 55-A-201B.
Action – Recommend Approval
Commissioner Molden would abstain from all discussion on this item for a possible
conflict of interest.
Candice E. Perkins, Assistant Director, reported this is a proposal to rezone 33.61+/-
acres from the RP (Residential Performance) District with proffers to the RP (Residential Performance)
District with revised proffers. The property is located south of the intersection of Senseny Road and
Greenwood Road, west of the terminus of Farmington Boulevard within the Lynnhaven Subdivision and
east of the terminus of Farmington Boulevard within the Steeplechase Subdivision. Ms. Perkins
presented a zoning map of the property and surrounding area. She continued, the subject property is part
of the original Orrick Commons rezoning which was approved in 2006 and included both commercial and
age-restricted housing. This requested rezoning only pertains to the 33.61 acres zoned RP, and the B2
zoned properties will remain subject to proffers for the 2006 rezoning. Ms. Perkins noted, a separate
proffer statement for the RP parcel would not impact the overall development as the proffers for the B2
zoned properties were previously completed. She explained, the 2006 rezoning proffered 3.5 acres to
Frederick County as a park and required an existing pond to be preserved within that area. The proffer
also allowed for that area to count towards the required open space for the age-restricted residential
development. Ms. Perkins noted: The park if dedicated, would be owned by Frederick County and open
to the public, this does not pertain to any amenities required to be built within the age-restricted
development; and dedication of that land would require approval from the Applicant and Frederick
County, the Applicant could be the HOA depending on the ultimate timing of the request.
Ms. Perkins reported, the request is seeking to eliminate the proffer for the park and the
preserved pond; it is noted that the Department of Parks and Recreation in their review of this request, did
recommend that the park proffer be retained. She continued, the revision restricts the total number of
units permitted to a maximum of 170 units (122 single-family detached or attached and 48 multi-family).
The approved proffer statement allows for the maximum density which could result in up to 201 units.
Ms. Perkins shared proffers proposed with this rezoning and presented a GDP of the development:
• Maximum of 170 age-restricted units, no more than 48 multi-family
• Preservation of an existing intermittent stream channel
• Extension of Farmington Boulevard through the project
• Interparcel connection to the commercial area consistent with the approved
rezoning
• Sidewalk connection from Farmington Boulevard to the existing sidewalk along
Ladyslipper Drive
• Monetary proffers consistent with the 2006 proposal
Commissioner Mohn inquired if there has been any discussion about relocating the park.
Ms. Perkins commented the Applicant is looking to eliminate it. Commissioner Thomas asked if
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Minutes of September 1, 2021
anything has been offered to the County to replace the elimination of the Park. Ms. Perkins responded not
at this time. Commissioner Oates commented this rezoning will reduce the number of homes by 31.
Commissioner Morrison inquired if there are wetlands on the property. Ms. Perkins noted there is a very
small pond, and any designs will have to meet the requirements of stormwater management through
Public Works. Commissioner Thomas asked what the size of the pond is, and Commissioner Oates
commented it is less than a quarter of an acre.
Chairman Kenney called for anyone who wished to speak regarding this Public Hearing
to come forward at this time.
Kristin Koontz of the Red Bud District came forward and shared her concerns with the
ongoing drainage issue in the area and the need for a stop sign to slow traffic through the development.
Adam Spatz of the Red Bud District asked what type of easement is behind their
properties and what is the timing of the development.
Chuck Lloyd of the Red Bud District inquired as to what type of buffers will be placed
around the new development especially what backs up to his property.
No one else came forward to speak and Chairman Kenney closed the public comment
portion of the hearing.
Commissioner Oates asked what the buffers would be. Ms. Perkins replied it depends on
the type of housing built; she noted there are no buffers between the RA & RP and that the buffers are the
same as with the current rezoning. Commissioner Oates commented that the houses could be built to the
property lines. Commissioner Jewell commented he sees the need for a stop sign and what is the
requirement. Mr. Bishop explained a stop sign cannot be a part of the proffers and Mr. Patrick Sowers is
working on this however it is ultimately up to VDOT. Commissioner Mohn asked if there has been any
discussion of other traffic calming measures. Mr. Bishop noted, it depends on what VDOT will allow and
there is no clear answer at this point.
Mr. Patrick Sowers of Dave Holliday Construction, Inc., representing the Applicant came
forward to answer questions. Commissioner Thomas asked where the pond gets its water and how will
they be getting rid of the pond water so that it doesn’t end up in the back yards of the nearby houses. Mr.
Sowers stated the pond is at the high point of the property and it is very shallow. Commissioner Thomas
commented it appears on the backside of the site it drains into their backyards. Mr. Sowers explained,
this site drains in five different directions; there is a small area that does drain to the back lots at
Steeplechase and when the roads are built, they will actually decrease the drainage area going towards
that area. Commissioner Thomas feels increasing hard surface area will not shrink the amount of runoff.
Mr. Sowers explained with the energy balance and not being able to exceed the predevelopment flows,
they will not be sending more than what is going through there now. Commissioner Thomas commented
he cannot see where the drainage issue has been addressed. Mr. Sowers explained, with this application
they tried to take the existing project that could be denser than what they are proposing and ring it with
single-family detached; so more similar housing types will be joining the existing housing types because
under the current zoning you could do single family attached and have more density adjoining the existing
project and decrease the drainage long term.
Commissioner Mohn inquired if there is the ability to preserve existing mature trees. Mr.
Sowers noted, until it is at full design it is hard to say. Commissioner Oates asked if they could commit
to a privacy fence since they cannot commit to the trees. Mr. Sowers stated they could consider a buffer
screening or possible fence. Commissioner Mohn asked if any other option has been offered to the Parks
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and Recreation Department in place of the park. Mr. Sowers explained, the existing proffers state,
“maybe a park” and they can adjust the language, however he doesn’t foresee a park being placed in the
age-restricted project; regarding traffic, the Applicant would be fine with incorporating a stop sign and the
proffers state they will assist with traffic calming measures.
Upon a motion made by Commissioner Mohn and seconded by Commissioner Dawson
with agreement from Applicant to work with Planning Department Staff before the Board of Supervisors
meeting to iron out Parks and Recreation language and buffers
BE IT RESOLVED, the Frederick County Planning Commission does unanimously recommend approval
of Rezoning #04-21 for Orrick Commons submitted by Dave Holliday Construction, Inc. to rezone
33.61+/- acres from the RP (Residential Performance) District to the RP (Residential Performance)
District with revised proffers. The property is located west of the terminus of Farmington Boulevard
(Route 1406) within the Lynnhaven Subdivision and east of the terminus of Farmington Boulevard within
Steeplechase Subdivision in the Red Bud Magisterial District and is identified by Property Identification
Number 55-A-201B.
(Note: Commissioner Cline was absent from the meeting.)
INFORMATION/DISCUSSION
Update to the Frederick County Comprehensive Plan
Candice E. Perkins, Assistant Director, reported this is a draft update to the Frederick
County Comprehensive Plan. The Code of Virginia requires localities to review and update their plan
every five years. The current 2035 Comprehensive Plan was adopted in January of 2017; therefore, an
update plan would need to be adopted by January 2022. She continued, the Comprehensive Plan consists
of three documents:
• The Plan- chapters that focus on aspects of the County’s Vision for the future.
These chapters address: Urban Areas, Rural Areas, Residential Development,
Business Development, Transportation, Public Facilities, Natural Resources, and
Historic Resources.
• Appendix I – small area and joint land use plans
• Appendix II – background information such as statistics and projections
Ms. Perkins shared, Primary Plan updates are within:
• Urban Areas – consolidating text, clarification of existing policies
• Rural Areas – greater overview of conservation tools/trends
• Business Development – updated information based on current data, updated
agribusiness text to include solar
• Transportation – updated information
• Public Facilities – updated information from FCPS, Parks, F&R, Frederick
Water, and new text to address broadband and telecommunications
• Natural Resources – inundation zones
Ms. Perkins reported, Appendix I has been updated to reflect growth boundary changes,
land use designation updates (such as past Comprehensive Plan amendments), transportation updates, and
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infrastructure updates. She continued, Appendix II primarily contains background data and therefore
these figures have been updated to reflect current data available. Ms. Perkins explained, applicable
sections of The Plan were reviewed and updated by Frederick County Public Schools, Parks and
Recreation, Fire and Rescue, the Airport Authority, the Economic Development Authority, Frederick
Water, and the Transportation Committee. Ms. Perkins concluded, the Comprehensive Plans and
Programs Committee (CPPC) discussed these updates at their March, April, June, July, and August 2021
meetings. At their August meeting, the CPPC endorsed the draft Comprehensive Plan update and sent it
forward to the Planning Commission for discussion. Commissioner Oates commented regarding the West
Jubal Early Land Use Plan; the map for that area will need to be updated due to the recent rezoning.
This item was sent forward to the Board of Supervisors with a favorable consensus.
OTHER
Mr. Wyatt G. Pearson, Director, shared there are three items moving forward to the
Planning Commission in the coming weeks: An Ordinance Amendment for Opaque Fencing; an
Ordinance Amendment for Master Development Plans; and the Clarke County request for Water &
Service in the Double Tollgate area.
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ADJOURNMENT
No further business remained to be discussed and a motion was made by Commissioner
Oates to adjourn the meeting. This motion was seconded by Commissioner Thomas and unanimously
passed. The meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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Kevin W. Kenney, Chairman
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Roderick B. Williams, Secretary