[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6519428,"mediaKeyId","5358985-2cd218252a2e941c32d0d2b0eeeab72c","parentId",5358985,"title","Planning staff begins zoning ordinance reorganization, readies materials for comprehensive-plan update","audioSeconds",127,"startMs",1829000,"endMs",1956000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5358985-2cd218252a2e941c32d0d2b0eeeab72c&start=1829&end=1956","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5358985-2cd218252a2e941c32d0d2b0eeeab72c/thumbnail_1829000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6519428/Frederick-County/Virginia/Planning-staff-begins-zoning-ordinance-reorganization-readies-materials-for-comprehensive-plan-update","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6519428-7e989eae1148c82a20e81f0769a70dec/orig.mp4?Expires=1770525733&Signature=cneC-aRYtJozfwsrSGpWmEWeaz1McoQILqp8ZycNIBfEoBZmHTipNUgffLHWljKGBbL2Fdui7BUtsZeWEEPXNucQoaDFaspmpCaDHyMsLamABQ-h5gWSZtZku6y1qLjVbAwTn~HfU7o6JT4PXjN1zDIUTftkQLlx4GW1Y4CQHTMqJguUAy5bBHXqYiIVNssIJJ8AOyMVQOcWussBaBgF4FhXF5m30k5U5yTCHm1v0kGhxD1LwEKjqz175V7bdu-DrSviS-xAp0rP2VrPKJ3SKHYY9RETDpHtHj~VLaw~QlG6WAb8ZMXOtFfpILXgKG-DFBVo8E9Da2y-v7K878KY3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Frederick County, VA","date","2025-07-02T00:00:00Z","article","Planning Department staff updated the commission on July 2 about two ongoing initiatives: a functional reorganization of the county zoning ordinance and preparatory materials for the comprehensive-plan update.

Staff said phase 1 of the zoning-ordinance update consists of a functional reorganization that will be followed by a policy-oriented phase 2 after the comprehensive-plan update is further along. Staff estimated the reorganization could take about seven months of work before returning ordinance amendments to committees and the Planning Commission.

Staff also reported finalizing a community profile document to advise the comprehensive-plan process, launching a comprehensive-plan website, and circulating a public participation plan that outlines outreach and engagement strategies. Staff invited commissioners to comment on the public participation plan.

Commissioners asked about timing and involvement of advisory committees; staff said the project would follow the normal ordinance-amendment process and would include committee and commission review prior to Board action. The status update did not include specific amendment language or deadlines beyond the general timeline for phase 1.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Planning Commission\tJuly 2, 2025 - 6:57 PM","oneSentenceSummary","Frederick County planning staff reported work on a functional reorganization of the zoning ordinance (phase 1) and preparation of a community profile and public participation plan to support the comprehensive-plan update.","taxTitle","Frederick County, Virginia","taxId",5106,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6519434,"Planning Commission asks county staff for data-center fact sheet after work session",1154,1985000,3139000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5358985-2cd218252a2e941c32d0d2b0eeeab72c&start=1985&end=3139","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5358985-2cd218252a2e941c32d0d2b0eeeab72c/thumbnail_1985000.jpg","/articles/6519434/Frederick-County/Virginia/Planning-Commission-asks-county-staff-for-data-center-fact-sheet-after-work-session","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6519434-3a9867de634d7d09f7d182e3a02a468e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770525733&Signature=cURmnoKGLY-iq3QrwU7jxslxSkVNASIJbLHQ~xfoLgQLodC-BcKgpr7KjsDp~KZvqsTLIXziZywWUHgs2m2QHEaHZqi61AAHG~rLVEP7-w2rYI-xgezOFK9Jm0uuoh5k5Qdac8UkiHkP0BmVhcnACXIvQDKOJLGZFGUDU6IeMzKTkriQQe9yflsQ1VhmehnTkK4hRoRNt1r5woaXXmMdKCeauKsyQRCW6vRjvfqSS5Hz75~Tl82qF9LfSW05kF76~Pxs4RGY0ubpBHwSfLQbZmL4OmXrazqeed7QC-sEC079BkjlZVj0s~TIOXw8ErFWTrwmLwQ5t0WTpYGnX5lw6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Frederick County Planning Commission voted July 2 to request that the Board of Supervisors direct the county planning staff to prepare a concise fact sheet on data centers, listing site-selection criteria, water and power use, recyclability of water, expected jobs and whether they would be filled locally, noise levels and frequency maps, typical facility footprints, and tax and revenue implications.

Commissioner Thomas, who moved for the request after a work session that he and other commissioners described as leaving unanswered technical and fiscal questions, said the commission needs factual material to inform future reviews rather than rely on impressions or anecdote. The motion asked that staff consider as many details as possible and to present the information in a short, easy-to-use format rather than a lengthy report.

Several commissioners supported the motion, arguing staff and commissioners lacked sufficient technical detail following public sessions and presentations by developers. Others objected to expending resources before the county's comprehensive plan was finalized or voiced concern that citizen preferences should be solicited before pursuing data-center policy changes. Planning staff said the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) study of data centers in Virginia would be used as a starting point for any fact sheet and offered to summarize available material.

The commission approved the request by roll call: recorded yes votes from McKay, Botorff, Snedden, Markert, Thomas, Kern, DeHaven and the chair; recorded no votes from Bridal (Brumbach) and Whitaker. The motion carried. The commission instructed staff to use existing studies where appropriate and to return a concise, tabular fact sheet to the Board of Supervisors for consideration.","After a work session on proposed data centers, the commission voted to ask the Board of Supervisors to direct planning staff to prepare a concise fact sheet addressing site selection, water and power use, noise, jobs, and tax impacts.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6519438,"Frederick County Planning Commission recommends renewal of 13 agricultural and forestal districts",1140,673000,1813000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5358985-2cd218252a2e941c32d0d2b0eeeab72c&start=673&end=1813","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5358985-2cd218252a2e941c32d0d2b0eeeab72c/thumbnail_673000.jpg","/articles/6519438/Frederick-County/Virginia/Frederick-County-Planning-Commission-recommends-renewal-of-13-agricultural-and-forestal-districts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6519438-846cf6ff2af11556c98c99fa6c79222b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770525733&Signature=HhbmJUZ9AX9YvZjk24GzA-vvLsM3RZQekUJLbw6eZVOceA7k2RHJokmmRpYu~iltt8G9ock6rszN50i-IRQyXaroWSGpNfEzU6jwElxvZgF6Ntigy3OLkAH7XyrEWBr1IsI~9Gxqp7Fl~tZ9z86sey4GF9qiJfmZlQ4uFU8wdfPsJDfwmKYV9qou~uNMRbUQv-lznCpN2shnWFVlL0Xl~W3IQrTLL-7122wAzDJ-f1sNcox9DuMYgY0KdvpQHHKhFKBgXCMFYAX87n29AkDtpFIY1Rud1d2dbuGzoMof42QoySLd-4nu9Co5EmpXbW0gKzb-bt3kPEQWBScWONZ40A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Frederick County Planning Commission on July 2 voted to recommend that the Board of Supervisors renew all 13 of the county's agricultural and forestal districts for the five-year term 2025–2030.

Planning staff told commissioners the county currently has 17,617.95 acres enrolled in agricultural and forestal districts and that the districts must be reviewed every five years under state law. Staff reviewed each district on the agenda — Alban, Apple Pie Ridge, Back Mountain, Double Church, Green Spring, Hayfield, Long Creek Farm, North Frederick, Red Bud, Reliance, South Frederick, South Timber Ridge and Whitehall — and summarized parcel and owner counts, boundaries and acreage for each.

The largest district is the South Frederick Agricultural and Forestal District, which staff said includes 142 parcels with 52 property owners and totals 5,905.84 acres; several other districts range from about 221.5 acres (Reliance) to roughly 1,929.41 acres (North Frederick). Staff said district enrollment is voluntary and that landowners may petition to add or remove land at their own request and at the Board of Supervisors' discretion. Staff also noted that inclusion in a district does not eliminate all development options and that property owners may apply for conditional use permits; certain major subdivision actions would require removal from a district.

After opening a single public hearing covering all 13 districts, the commission received no public speakers and a planning commissioner moved to recommend approval of the renewals as presented. The commission then approved the recommendation by roll call. Commissioners recorded yes votes from DeHaven, Kern, Thomas, Markert, Snedden, Botorff, McKay, Brembach, Brumbach and the chair. The motion carries and staff will forward the recommendation to the Board of Supervisors for its meeting on Aug. 13, 2025.

Commissioners and staff emphasized that agricultural and forestal districts are voluntary and that county inclusion appears as a consideration in future land use reviews and the upcoming comprehensive plan update. Staff said the districts are intended to recognize and protect agricultural and forestry uses during a five-year term but do not permanently remove a property's development options if the owner later seeks different uses.

The commission's recommendation does not itself change tax status; staff explained land-use taxation and other incentives apply as provided under county policy and state law and that many properties already enrolled would retain eligibility under the county's land-use tax program.","The Planning Commission voted to recommend that the Board of Supervisors renew all 13 of the county's agricultural and forestal districts for a five-year term covering 2025–2030, representing about 17,617.95 acres.","actionData","errors"]

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Planning staff begins zoning ordinance reorganization, readies materials for comprehensive-plan update

Planning Commission asks county staff for data-center fact sheet after work session

Frederick County Planning Commission recommends renewal of 13 agricultural and forestal districts