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Planning commission backs Laurel Ridge Community College rezoning, forwards recommendation to Board
Summary
The commission recommended approval of a 19.8-acre rezoning to Higher Education for the Laurel Ridge Community College Foundation, including proffers for fire-and-rescue contributions and a Route 11 right-of-way dedication; item will go to the Board of Supervisors Sept. 10, 2025.
The Frederick County Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of a rezoning application that would change 19.8 acres from RA (rural agricultural) to HE (higher education) to allow an expansion of Laurel Ridge Community College north of Middletown.
Staff described the application as implementing the Middletown/Lord Fairfax area plan and said the proposal includes a generalized development plan, a training component and a proposed substation for training use. Staff noted the proffer statement provides monetary contributions to offset fire and rescue services and a right-of-way dedication for Route 11 (Valley Pike) for future improvements.
Ms. Felknor, the presenting staff member, said the property (located at 131 Garland Snap Drive) is adjacent to the college and would remain served by the City of Winchester for water and the Town of Middletown for sewer since Frederick Water does not have utilities available at the site. "This is an application to rezone 19.8 acres from the RA to higher education," Felknor said during her presentation.
An adjacent property owner, Pamela Henson, spoke during the public hearing to clarify an easement and a private well on the applicant’s parcel that supplies her home; the applicant’s representative confirmed they had researched the easement and did not identify a conflict with the proposed development, and said the foundation intends to ensure continued water service if the property is developed.
Commissioners moved to recommend approval with proffers for the technical trade facility; the recommendation will be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors for a Sept. 10, 2025 public hearing.
What’s next: the Board of Supervisors will consider the rezoning at its Sept. 10 meeting. If approved by the board, zoning will change from RA to HE and the development will proceed in conformance with the submitted general development plan and proffers.
Reporter’s note: Staff presentations, the applicant’s proffers and adjacent-owner concerns about easements were the central factual components of the public record at the Aug. 6 hearing.
