PC 10-19-22 Meeting Minutes
Frederick County Planning Commission Page 3980
Minutes of October 19, 2022
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 October 19, 2022.
PRESENT: John F. Jewell, Chairman; William A. Orndoff, Stonewall District; H. Paige Manuel,
Shawnee District; Elizabeth D. Kozel, Shawnee District; Betsy Brumback, Back Creek District; Mollie
Brannon, Back Creek District; Kathleen Dawson, Red Bud District; Charles Markert, Red Bud District;
Austin Cano, Assistant County Attorney.
ABSENT: Robert S. Molden, Opequon District; Roger L. Thomas, Vice Chairman/Opequon District;
Charles E. Triplett, Gainesboro District; Jason Aikens, Gainesboro District; Justin Kerns, Stonewall
District.
STAFF PRESENT: John A. Bishop, Assistant Director; M. Tyler Klein, Senior Planner; Amy Feltner,
Planner I; Shannon L. Conner, Administrative Assistant.
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Jewell called the October 19, 2022 meeting of the Frederick County Planning
Commission to order at 7:00 p.m. Chairman Jewell commenced the meeting by inviting everyone to join
in a moment of silence.
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
Upon a motion made by Commissioner Manuel and seconded by Commissioner Orndoff
the Planning Commission unanimously adopted the agenda for this evening’s meeting with a change to
move item 8A to be presented before the Public Hearing.
MEETING MINUTES
Upon motion made by Commissioner Manuel and seconded by Commissioner Orndoff,
the Planning Commission unanimously adopted the minutes from the September 7, 2022 meeting.
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Minutes of October 19, 2022
COMMITTEES
Frederick Water
Chairman Jewell shared the rainfall report for the month and the annual total thus far. He
noted the new water plant is coming along, however, they are still waiting on supplies due to supply chain
issues that have accumulated over time.
City of Winchester – Mtg. 10/18/22
Commissioner Tagnesi, Winchester City Planning Commission Liaison, reported the
Commission approved three public hearing items: 25 townhouses on South Pleasant Valley Road; a
proffer revision for a WAWA gas station due to canopy issues; and an ordinance amendment for PUD
regulations.
Board of Supervisors
Supervisor Ludwig reported, the Board of Supervisors approved Short Term Lodging as a
by-right and this will assist in eliminating the number of CUP’s that could possibly come forward.
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CITIZEN COMMENTS
Chairman Jewell 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 Jewell closed the public comments portion of the meeting.
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Stacy Herbaugh, Director of Parks and Recreation along with John Turkel, Assistant
Director, came forward and shared a presentation on the various aspects of the Department to include the
mission statement and the annual budget.
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PUBLIC HEARING
Conditional Use Permit #09-22 for McKenzie’s Doodles (James and Susan Brown) submitted for a
dog-kennel/breeding and relocated business approved with CUP #02-15. The property is located at
1038 Hites Road, Middletown VA and is identified with Property Identification Number 84-A-34B
in the Back Creek Magisterial District.
Action – Recommend Approval
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Minutes of October 19, 2022
Amy Feltner, Planner I, reported this is a request for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for
a dog kennel/breeding facility. The property is located at 1038 Hites Road , is in the Back Creek
Magisterial District, and in zoned RA (Rural Areas). She presented a location map of the property. Mrs.
Feltner continued, the Frederick County Zoning Ordinance defines a kennel: “As a place to house, board,
breed, handle, and otherwise keep or care for dogs for sale or in return for compensation. Kennels are
permitted in the RA (Rural Areas) with an approved Conditional Use Permit (CUP). She explained, the
Frederick County Zoning Ordinance requires that kennels be subject to additional performance standards
to mitigate negative impacts to adjoining residential structure. A site visit, conducted by Staff,
determined that the existing buffer(s) are adequate and the properties adjacent to this proposed CUP are
zoned RA; the nearest residential dwellings are approximately 400 ft to the north and east of this property.
Mrs. Feltner continued, this is a relocation of an existing CUP #02-15 previously
approved for 719 Barley Lane; the current owner of 719 Barley Lane has opted to void the CUP #02-15.
She shared, this kennel use, as described in the application narrative, will be conducted indoors and
therefore meets the intent of the Zoning Ordinance; the kennel operation will be conducted inside the
existing garage and in a detached kennel of which is fully enclosed. Mrs. Feltner explained, the Applicant
owns and breeds five female dogs; the males are limited to the breeding term only and are returned to
their owners; litters are raised then sold; weekdays are appointments only and customers visit and take the
puppy home the same day, primarily on weekends. She noted, on average, the Applicant hosts 10
families, 20-25 times annually to enable families to meet, select, and choose their puppy and to see the
environment and care the Applicant provides. Mrs. Feltner shared the conditions recommended by Staff:
1. All review agency comments and requirements shall be complied with at all
times.
2. A maximum of two (2) employees, not residing on the premises, sha ll be
permitted with this CUP.
3. All dogs must be confined to kennels indoors between the hours of 9:00 p.m. to
7:00 a.m.
4. Hours of operation for the public to access the property shall be between the
hours of 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
5. New structure to be used as kennels will require building permits prior to being
constructed or relocated on the property.
6. One monument style sign with a maximum sign area not to exceed 50 square feet
(SF) and not to exceed 10 feet (FT) in height is permitted.
7. Any expansion or modification of this use will require the approval of a new
CUP.
Commissioner Orndoff inquired as to why the times in the conditions are different. Mrs.
Feltner explained, the time difference is that one time is for the dogs being let in and out and the other
time is for the public access to the kennel.
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Minutes of October 19, 2022
Chairman Jewell called for anyone who wished to speak regarding this Public Hearing to
come forward at this time.
Larry Rickard of the Back Creek District came forward and shared his concerns with the
noise this application could generate and the buffers between the properties. He commented thirty (30)
yards separates his property for the Applicants and there is no buffer in place . He concluded he is
concerned with the hours of operation and inquired as to the setbacks that are in place.
No one else came forward to speak and Chairman Jewell closed the public comment
portion of the hearing.
Commissioner Brannon commented she visited the property and the dogs that are being
bred do not live there full time; they are bred, brought back for whelping, and the pups are kept for
approximately two (2) months. She state the weening takes place in the garage. Commissioner
Brumback requested clarification on the setbacks. Mr. Jewell stated an accessory structure is 15 feet.
Commissioner Brumback asked about the buffers. Mr. Klein explained Staff has visited the site and has
determined the buffers that are in place to be sufficient.
Upon a motion made by Commissioner Brannon and seconded by Commissioner
Brumback with a change to Condition #2 from two (2) employees to three (3) employees
BE IT RESOLVED, the Frederick County Planning Commission does unanimously recommend approval
of Conditional Use Permit #09-22 for McKenzie’s Doodles (James and Susan Brown) submitted for a
dog-kennel/breeding and relocated business approved with CUP #02-15. The property is located at 1038
Hites Road, Middletown VA and is identified with Property Identification Number 84-A-34B in the Back
Creek Magisterial District.
(Note: Commissioner Molden, Commissioner Thomas, Commissioner Kerns, Commissioner Aikens, and
Commissioner Triplett were absent from the meeting)
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ACTION ITEM
Rezoning #09-22 for The Canyon, LC - this is a proposed rezoning to amend the proffer statement
approved with REZ #06-15 (Opequon Crossing). The proposed minor proffer amendment seeks to
specify no “certificate of occupancy” shall be issued for any dwelling unit without completion of
improvements to Route 7 and the proposed collector “spine” road.
Action – Recommend Approval
Commissioner Manuel would abstain from all discussion on this item for a possible
conflict of interest.
M. Tyler Klein, Senior Planner, reported this is an application to rezone +/-174.98 acres
from the RP (Residential Performance) District with proffers to RP District with revised proffers ; the
subject properties are located in the Red Bud Magisterial District. He shared a zoning map of the
property and surrounding area. Mr. Klein continued, this minor proffer amendment would amend the
previously approved proffer statement for REZ #06-15, Opequon Crossing, to further specify that no
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Minutes of October 19, 2022
“certificate of occupancy” shall be issued for any dwelling unit without completion of improvements to
Route 7 and the proposed collector “spine” road. He explained, all other provisions in the approved
proffer statement (land use, density, other transportation improvements) remain unaltered. Mr. Klein
noted, one minor update today that is not part of the Staff report is a modification to proffer 13.1 to
specify “escalator for monetary proffers” is tied to the 2015 rezoning #06-15 for Opequon Crossing.
Commissioner Orndoff commented he feels there could be an issue with the change
going back from a building permit to an occupancy permit; he stated, with a building permit it is likely
the builder and the occupancy permit is the buyer so this could hold up the buyer moving into the
property. Mr. Klein explained, the builders are getting the occupancy permits before they close the sale
on properties; it is really a change to allow that extra time for when the building permit is issued and to
when they actually get to occupy the units and therefore, they would have additional time to do any road
improvements needed. Commissioner Orndoff asked is Staff was satisfied with this and Mr. Klein
responded yes, they are satisfied.
Upon a motion made by Commissioner Dawson and seconded by Commissioner
Brumback
BE IT RESOLVED, the Frederick County Planning Commission does unanimously recommend approval
of Rezoning #09-22 for The Canyon, LC - this is a proposed rezoning to amend the proffer statement
approved with REZ #06-15 (Opequon Crossing). The proposed minor proffer amendment seeks to
specify no “certificate of occupancy” shall be issued for any dwelling unit without completion of
improvements to Route 7 and the proposed collector “spine” road.
(Note: Commissioner Molden, Commissioner Thomas, Commissioner Kerns, Commissioner Aikens, and
Commissioner Triplett were absent from the meeting)
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OTHER
John A. Bishop, Assistant Director, reported the Shady Elm site plan has been approved;
the Sheetz in Middletown site plan is pending; and the Metromont rezoning, and the Henry CUP have
been postponed.
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ADJOURNMENT
No further business remained to be discussed and a motion was made by Commissioner
Dawson to adjourn the meeting. This motion was seconded by Commissioner Orndoff and unanimously
passed. The meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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John F. Jewell, Chairman
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Wyatt G. Pearson, Secretary