HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-21 Application NarrativeKSS LC
The Homestead Farm
Historic Wright-Barton Venue
1454 Apple Pie Ridge Rd
Winchester, VA 22603
Conditional Use Permit Overview
The Homestead Farm at Fruit Hill Orchard and KSS LC are currently both owned by Katherine Solenberger.
The Homestead Farm has been leasing the Wright-Barton Barn at 1454 Apple Pie Ridge Road, Winchester VA
22603 for 3 years from the previous owner, Fruit Hill Orchard, Inc., of which Katherine Solenberger is the Vice
President and stockholder. Katherine Solenberger was told by planning staff in 2019 that a Conditional Use
Permit was not required at that time for special events on an agricultural operation of more than 5 acres. This
application is being made because a CUP is now necessary according to Frederick County Planning.
Here is the General Overview for this Conditional Use Permit:
The proposed use of the restored double bank barn (photos enclosed) is for use as an event venue to host
weddings, etc. during the months of May through October. The events will be mostly bi-monthly and start no
earlier than noon and end by 11pm. No outdoor musical events are planned.
The identified historic resource on this property is the Wright-Barton house. It was deemed eligible for the
National Register of Historic Place in October of 1993(see attached) but the National Register Nomination was
never prepared so it is not listed in the Register.
The historic buildings on the property include the Wright-Barton house, the two-story stone spring house, the
corn crib and old farm building, the early smaller barn and the restored double bank barn that will serve as the
event venue. The very early log cabin on the hillside has been restored on the exterior and a stone chimney built
where one had been.
The entrance will be upgraded on Apple Pie Ridge Road according to the VDOT specifications per email
provided by Lloyd Ingram, VDOT transportation engineer. The improved gravel farm road and a newly paved
hill side will lead to the barn venue.
A gravel parking area is provided and will support approximately100 vehicles.
The barn is approximately 50’ X 90’ with two huge sliding doors at both banks.
200 attendees is the MAX number of people at any event.
There are no permanent bathroom facilities, but they may be added in the future to the lower barn (currently
closed off.) There are no plans to construct a new building. A porta-john is located on site.
There will be no permanent cooking facilities inside the barn. Any food preparation will be via food trucks or
catering and will be not take place at the barn. Food service may take place inside the barn.
KSS LC is looking forward to sharing this historic treasure with the community and the revenue generated will
not only help the existing 300-acre orchard and farm operation, but boost local revenues through agritourism to
the Winchester-Frederick County area. Maintaining our farmland is essential to our tax base in the county and
The Homestead Farm at Fruit Hill Orchard is glad to be a partner in this endeavor!