PC 01-04-23 Meeting Minutes
Frederick County Planning Commission Page 3995
Minutes of January 4, 2023
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 January 4, 2023.
PRESENT: John F. Jewell, Chairman; Roger L. Thomas, Vice Chairman/Opequon District; Robert S.
Molden, Opequon District; William A. Orndoff, Stonewall District; Justin Kerns, Stonewall District; H.
Paige Manuel, Shawnee District; Elizabeth D. Kozel, Shawnee District; Charles E. Triplett, Gainesboro
District; Jason Aikens, Gainesboro 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: None
STAFF PRESENT: John A. Bishop, Assistant Director; Shannon L. Conner, Administrative Assistant.
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Jewell called the January 4, 2023 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 Thomas and seconded by Commissioner Manuel
the Planning Commission unanimously adopted the agenda for this evening’s meeting.
MEETING MINUTES
Upon motion made by Commissioner Orndoff and seconded by Commissioner Dawson,
the Planning Commission unanimously adopted the minutes from the October 19, 2022 meeting.
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Minutes of January 4, 2023
ELECTION OF OFFICERS, MEETING SCHEDULE, AND ADOPTION OF BYLAWS AND
RULES & RESPONSIBILITIES FOR 2023
Assistant Director, John A. Bishop, presided over the election of the Chairman for 2023.
Election of John F. Jewell, Chairman for 2023
Assistant Director, John A. Bishop, declared nominations open for Chairman for the 2023
calendar year.
The nomination of Mr. John F. Jewell for Chairman was made by Commissioner Thomas
and seconded by Commissioner Triplett.
BE IT RESOLVED, that by a unanimous vote, the Frederick County Planning Commission does hereby
elect Mr. John F. Jewell as Chairman of the Planning Commission for the calendar year 2023.
Election of Roger L. Thomas, Vice Chairman for 2023
Chairman, John F. Jewell, declared nominations open for Vice Chairman for the 2023
calendar year.
The nomination of Mr. Roger L. Thomas for Vice Chairman was made by Commissioner
Orndoff and seconded by Commissioner Kerns.
BE IT RESOLVED, that by a unanimous vote, the Frederick County Planning Commission does hereby
elect Mr. Roger L. Thomas as Vice Chairman of the Planning Commission for the calendar year 2023.
Election of Wyatt G. Pearson, Secretary for 2023
Chairman Jewell declared nominations open for Secretary for the 2023 calendar year.
The nomination of Mr. Wyatt G. Pearson was made by Commissioner Jewell and
seconded by Commissioner Triplett.
BE IT RESOLVED, that by a unanimous vote, the Frederick County Planning Commission does hereby
elect Mr. Wyatt G. Pearson as Secretary of the Planning Commission for the calendar year 2023.
PLANNING COMMISSION BYLAWS AND ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES AND MEETING
SCHEDULES FOR 2023
Chairman Jewell stated the Planning Commission’s Bylaws and Roles and
Responsibilities and Meeting Schedules have been reviewed by the Commission and are ready for the
Commission’s consideration and adoption.
Upon motion made by Commissioner Thomas and seconded by Commissioner Manuel
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Minutes of January 4, 2023
BE IT RESOLVED that the Frederick County Planning Commission does hereby unanimously adopt the
Planning Commission’s Bylaws and the Roles & Responsibilities and Meeting Schedules for the calendar
year of 2023 as presented.
COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
Chairman Jewell reported all Committee assignments for calendar year 2023 will remain
the same at this time.
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COMMITTEES
City of Winchester – 01/03/23
Commissioner Pifer, Winchester City Planning Commission Liaison, reported the
Commission discussed a CUP at Zero Pack and two ordinance amendments.
Board of Supervisors – 12/14/23
Supervisor Ludwig reported, the Board of Supervisors tabled a CUP for Richard Byess to
be brought back before the Board at a later date.
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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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PUBLIC HEARING
Conditional Use Permit #13-22 for Seven Bends Nursery (Jerry See and Iara Lacher), submitted for
the retailing or wholesaling of nursery stock and related products. The undeveloped property is
located on Town Run Lane (Route 1012) southwest of the intersection with Peace and Plenty Lane
(private road), east of the Town of Stephens City. The property is identified with Property
Identification Number 85-A-134 in the Opequon Magisterial District.
Action – Recommend Approval
John A. Bishop, Assistant Director, reported this is an application for a Conditional Use
Permit (CUP) to allow a Retail Nursery. The 13-acre undeveloped parcel is located at Town Run Lane
(Route 1012) and Peace and Plenty Lane (private road) in the Opequ on Magisterial District and is zoned
RA (Rural Areas). He shared a zoning map of the property and surrounding area. He noted, retailing and
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Minutes of January 4, 2023
wholesaling of nursery stock and related products is permitted within the RA Zoning District with an
approved CUP. Mr. Bishop shared, the Applicant intends to conduct this use as follows and construct:
• 2,600 square feet retail office
• (3) 3,600 square feet green houses
• A fenced area for display of retail products and plants
• Pond (.33 acre) for irrigation purposes
• Parking area
Mr. Bishop concluded should the Planning Commission find this application to be
appropriate, Staff would recommend the flowing condition be assigned to this CUP:
1. All review agency comments shall be complied with at all times.
2. An engineered minor site plan in accordance with Article VIII be submitted and
approved by Frederick County prior to establishing the use.
3. One, non-illuminated, freestanding monument business sign is permitted no more
than five feet in height and fifty square feet in size.
4. Any expansion or change of use shall require a new Conditional Use Permit.
Commissioner Orndoff requested clarification of where the access point will be. Dr. Iara
Lacher, the Applicant came forward and clarified the location would ideally be facing north towards
Stephens City. Commissioner Kerns inquired about water and sewer for the property. Dr. Lacher stated
they will be putting in a drain field. Commissioner Brumback asked if there would be three or four
greenhouses on the property. Dr. Lacher commented that is to be determined and is based on how things
are placed on the property and the sizes. Commissioner Molden inquired about mulch sales and the truck
traffic this could generate. Dr. Lacher commented there will be bags of mulch sold and a small trailer
will be used to haul these to the location.
Commissioner Brannon commented she would like to be sure the Applicant understands
if changes are made a new CUP will need to be applied for. Dr. Lacher stated she is aware of that.
Commissioner Thomas commented regarding the square footage and that this would be done in phases.
Mr. Bishop noted that is correct.
Chairman Jewell called for anyone who wished to speak regarding this Public Hearing to
come forward at this time.
Ms. Susie Hertzler of the Gainesboro District, Mr. Eric Morgan of the Opequon District,
Ms. Michelle Fontaine of the Gainesboro District, Mr. Brady Boyer, and Mr. Phil Harper of the
Gainesboro District came forward and shared their support of this Application; they believe focusing on
native plants will be beneficial to the community and this is a great opportunity. Mr. William Ramey of
the Opequon District share is concerns with the uncertainty of the legal right-of-way to the land. He
noted he is not against the nursery, he would just like clarification of this.
No one else came forward to speak and Chairman Jewell closed the public comment
portion of the hearing.
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Commissioner Brannon requested Staff address the right-of-way concerns. Mr. Bishop
commented, VDOT cannot landlock a parcel and that Town Run terminates at the corner of the property.
Upon a motion made by Commissioner Orndoff and seconded by Commissioner Manuel
BE IT RESOLVED, the Frederick County Planning Commission does unanimously recommend approval
of Conditional Use Permit #13-22 for Seven Bends Nursery (Jerry See and Iara Lacher), submitted for the
retailing or wholesaling of nursery stock and related products. The undeveloped property is located on
Town Run Lane (Route 1012) southwest of the intersection with Peace and Plenty Lane (private road),
east of the Town of Stephens City. The property is identified with Property Identification Number 85 -A-
134 in the Opequon Magisterial District.
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DISCUSSION ITEM
Discussion regarding Staff recommended changes to the Development Review Fee Schedule.
John A. Bishop, Assistant Director, shared the changes proposed to the Development
Review Free Schedule:
• Increase of the fee for postponement of advertised public meeting or public
hearing at the applicant’s request from $500 to $750
• Decrease in the Bond Replacement fee from $500 to $300
• Implementation of a $200 fee for Short Term Lodging permits and renewals
Commissioner Dawson inquired about building fees and if any changes. Mr. Bishop
commented that is not reflected is the fees being discussed and that would be through Inspections and
Public Works Departments. Commissioner Brannon asked if there was a fee it an item is tabled. Mr.
Bishop explained the applicant would only pay again if they would withdraw or make changes.
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ADJOURNMENT
No further business remained to be discussed and a motion was made by Commissioner
Orndoff 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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John F. Jewell, Chairman
___________________________
Wyatt G. Pearson, Secretary
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