CEA 02-28-13 Meeting MinutesMEETING MINUTES
OF THE
FREDERICK COUNTY CONSERVATION EASEMENT AUTHORITY
Held in the First Floor Conference Room of the Frederick County Administration
Kent Street in Winchester, Virginia on February 28, 2013 at 8:00 a.m.
PRESENT: Diane Kearns, Chairman; Robert Solenberger; Todd Lodge; Jeff Green;
Board of Supervisors Liaison.
ABSENT: Elaine Cain, Treasurer; John Marker; Ron Clevenger; and Charles
Commission Liaison.
STAFF PRESENT: Eric R. Lawrence, CEA Secretary; and Bev Dellinger, Secretary
PUBLIC MEETING:
1. Welcome and Introductions
at 107 North
Gene Fisher,
Planning
2. October 25, 2012 Meeting Minutes
Chairman Kearns pointed out a minor change in the minutes. The location of the meeting was
listed as the Executive Session Room and it was actually held in the First Flo ?r Conference
Room. On a motion made by Mr. Solenberger and seconded by Mr. Lodge, the October 25,
2012 minutes were approved.
3. Update on Conservation Easement Activity
Conservation Partners held a second joint meeting with Frederick and Shenandoah County
residents in January. Chairman Kearns said it went very well and was well attended.
Mr. Lawrence learned at the presentation that the tax benefits have been renewed for this year,
and that's gotten people who thought they'd missed the deadline more interested. I
4. Update on the Business Development Advancement Study
Mr. Lawrence stated that about a year ago the County initiated a study trying to create more
business development sites and industrial zoning sites. The premise wasl through the
Comprehensive Plan, there are areas which are planned for development and there are areas we
do want developed. The thought was, how do we advance those areas that we have planned for
business development and make sure they're shovel ready when industry comes into the
community so that we have sites available. Through the study, it was found that landowners may
be uncomfortable with the costs involved in rezoning their property. The BDAS iput together a
concept, which is at this time a proposed concept, to help the property owner go through the
rezoning process, first by covering the costs of a rezoning so they would be ready, for industrial
business development. Secondly, infrastructure like transportation, water and sewer, has to be
available. We would try to obtain that through state and federal grants.
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February 28, 201 3
All this is contingent upon if the property owner is willing to sign an option contract with the
County. The proposed option contract with the County is an agreed upon sales price, arrived at
by appraisal, where the property owner would reduce the sales price by the equivalent amount of
the transportation, water and sewer costs. If the property owner agrees to it, it goes under option
contract with the County using the Frederick County Industrial Development Authority. The
County would then go after revenue sharing and state funding to construct lithe necessary
transportation improvements, and work with the FCSA to install the necessary water and sewer
services. At the end of the process, the County would have a shovel -ready business site and the
property owner would have land that is marketable.
Mr. Lawrence stated the BDAS Committee presented this concept at the Planninj Commission
Retreat with the Board of Supervisors, and heard positive feedback. The BDAS will continue to
work on the concept and once they're done, ask for a work session in April witli the Board of
Supervisors and the Planning Commission. I
4. Next Meeting Date
3 — This date should be March 28, 2013, as approved by Mr. Solenberger
and seconded by Mr. Lodge.
5. Other
Chairman Kearns asked Mr. Lawrence if we could put a CEA brochure in the land use
applications. Mr. Lawrence said he will talk to Ms. Murphy about it.
Chairman Kearns asked Mr. Fisher who she could talk to at Shenandoah University in order to
do a documentary for the CEA. Mr. Fisher told the Chairman to call soi eone in the
Academics /Media Center.
Chairman Kearns suggested getting some generic CEA cards with the Planning I Department's
number on them. She believes it would be a good tool to have something to hand out to people.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:45 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane Kearns. Chairman
Lawrence, CEA Secretary
Conservation Easement Authority
February 28, 2013
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