CEA_11-19-09_Meeting_Minutes0
MEETING MINUTES
OF THE
FREDERICK COUNTY CONSERVATION EASEMENT AUTHORITY
Held in the First Floor Conference Room of the Frederick County Administration Building at 107 North
Kent Street in Winchester, Virginia on November 19, 2009 at 8:00 a.m.
PRESENT: Diane Kearns, Chairman; Ritchie Wilkins, Vice - Chairman; Robert Solenberger; John
Gavitt; Charles Triplett, Planning Commission Liaison; and Gene Fisher, Board of Supervisors Liaison.
ABSENT: Jim Lawrence, Treasurer; John Marker; and Todd Lodge.
STAFF PRESENT: Eric R. Lawrence, Secretary; and Bev Dellinger, Secretary III.
PUBLIC MEETING:
I. Minutes
On a motion made by Mr. Gavitt and seconded by Mr. Solenberger, the minutes of the
September 24, 2009 meeting were approved.
2. Farmland Preservation in the County
Mr. Lawrence stated that he attended a meeting about two weeks ago in Shenandoah County
where the VCC sponsored people from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, to talk about PDRs.
There were two speakers: one represented the comparable CEA of Lancaster County and the
other represented Lancaster Trust, which is the non -profit organization that holds many of the
easements. The aspect of the presentation was to show how they work together to promote land
preservation. While we're just getting started here, our CEA and the relationship we're
developing with Potomac Conservancy and VOF is very similar to what has happened in
Lancaster County, although they have a 30 year head start. It's only been the last five to ten
years where their easements started developing — it took a long time to convince people of the
benefits of the easement program, and economics probably affected it as well as the pro -
conservation Amish environment. Mr. Lawrence feels that the challenge we face as a
community is to find that particular farming community that wants to preserve land. We can set
up the structure and then it's just a matter of convincing people the benefits of PDRs, TDRs and
easements.
3. Agricultural and Forestal District Renewal Period Update
Mr. Lawrence included two maps with the agenda showing rural preservation tracts and
conservation areas. Mr. Lawrence stated we have drawn this information from one of the State
groups that keeps a data base, so if the members know of any we haven't included, please let him
know. Mr. Gavin stated that Potomac Conservancy may be able to add to the list. Mr. Lawrence
said we will circulate the information we have to the various holders we're aware of and see if
they can let us know if we're missing anyone. The rural preservation tracts result in the fact that
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Minutes of November 19, 2009
• a subdivision occurred but you cannot further subdivide those properties, so at this point, they're
conservation tracts. We want to track everything in the County so that we're not going to allow
subdivisions on properties that have easements or preservation components. The County has
approximately 7,600 acres in some form of preservation that cannot be further subdivided.
Members noted there are properties that are not included on the maps. Mr. Lawrence will get the
information necessary to update the maps.
Ms. Kearns would like for the CEA to try to make everyone aware of the fact that Ag & Forestal
District renewal is about to happen. Mr. Lawrence included with the agenda a questions and
answers sheet about Ag & Forestal Districts. Mr. Lawrence stated staff has met with extension
services. The first week in January, we're going to send out letters to everyone in the Ag
Districts about renewing so we can have everyone signed up by the end of January and then have
the Ag District Committee meet to endorse the appropriate district. Ms. Kearns plans on visiting
some groups to make them aware of this opportunity.
Mr. Lawrence stated that the Planning Department is targeting the end of this year to make sure
we have the RA ordinances, health systems and TDRs to the Board of Supervisors. The RA and
health systems will have public hearings before the end of the year and, hopefully, we will be
able to present a TDR discussion.
4. Virginia Stormwater Management Regulations
Ms. Kearns stated that she included a sheet with the agenda titled "Response to Common
• Concerns about Proposed Amendments to Virginia's Stormwater Regulations", put out by
Potomac Conservancy's Advisory Board. This sheet shows the other side of the stormwater
regulations' point of view, which is different from Mr. Joe Wilder, who spoke at the CEA
meeting on September 24, 2009. Ms. Kearns said one way it's different from Mr. Wilder's is
that it says these new regulations will help the development community.
Mr. Wilkins stated the Service Authority is spending millions of dollars to upgrade our sewage
treatment plants; some of it is expansion, but the majority of it is to clean up the water that goes
back into the creek.
Mr. Gavin commented that he has noticed, especially in the State of Maryland, that the tidewater
areas are unbelievably developed where there used to be a natural ebb and flow cleansing
process; the marshes are now gone.
5. Fundraising Discussion
Ms. Kearns stated that she talked to Supervisor Chuck DeHaven concerning roll -back taxes. His
suggestion is to wait until after this current budget year and then talk to the Board of Supervisors
about these taxes possibly being set aside for the purchase of easements. Concerning the $1
donation idea, now is not the time to launch this plan. Ms. Kearns believes that spring may be a
better time to approach retailers about this idea.
Mr. Triplett said he mentioned to Mr. Jim Lawrence at the last meeting about approaching
people for the $1 donation when they purchase their hunting or fishing license. The members
thought this would be a good idea.
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i The next meeting is scheduled for December 17, 2009 at 8:00 am.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:05 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane K ms, Chairman
Eric R. Lawrence, Secretary
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Minutes of November 19, 2009