Fauquier Health Welcomes New General Surgeon, Dr. Nchang Azefor, and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, Mandy Colegrove
Blue Ridge Wildlife Center Patient of the Week: Barred Owl Powerpole Connectors
Commemorating a Pivotal Moment: The Battle of Cowpens
R-MA Swim Team Makes a Splash: Boys and Girls Teams Dominate in Fredericksburg
WCHS DECA Members Shine at District 9 Leadership Conference
County Planning Commission Re-Elects Officers and Tackles New Motor Freight Terminal Paving Issue
What’s in a Name? Town’s Economic Development Authority Ponders its Future Vision, Mission, and Financing
In Discussion Spurred by Mayor, Town Council Considers the Merits of a New Code of Conduct
New Officers Elected, County Supervisors Approve Lease Agreements on ‘RON’ Overseen Youth Center, for Warren Coalition, and Golf Course
Town Council Tackles Special-Use Permit for a Proposed Warren Coalition Recovery Lodging House at First Work Session of 2024
Santmyers Student Union and Activity Center: From Vision to Reality
Samuels Library’s Exciting Winter Reading Program and Upcoming Events – January 2024
Unearthing Ancestral Stories: Dr. Thomas Rhyne’s Journey into Colonial America
Vietnam Veteran Shares Tale of Grit and Brotherhood
Samuels Library Brings Festive Cheer with December Activities and Exhibits
Hometown Faces: Meet Scott Reid
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Hometown Faces: Meet Harry Bowen – soon to be 100
WATCH: Faces of Our Valley – Selah Theatre Project, Glory Bea!
Amber Mabie: A Write-In Candidate with a Deep Commitment to Community
Unraveling the Role of Warren County Treasurer
South River School Board Elections: Leslie Mathews Speaks Out on Key Issues
Homegrown Hope: Nicole Wanzer’s Candidacy Reflects Warren County’s Heart
Glenn Wood’s Vision for Front Royal: Passion, Persistence, and Progress
Help Winchester Area SPCA Light a Path to End Pet Homelessness
Riverton Church’s Pancake Breakfast: More Than Just a Meal
Empowering Resilience: Warren County’s Groundbreaking Trauma-Informed Training
Children Activities by Samuels Public Library for the Month of January
Samuels Public Library Adult Programming Events for January
Warren County Grand Jury – January 2024 Indictments
Fatal Crash in Warren County: A New Year’s Eve Tragedy
Bank Heist Mystery Solved: Suspect in Custody After Community Effort
New Jersey Man Arrested for Online Solicitation of Local Minors – Transfer from Warren County, NJ to Warren County, Va. Pending
Investigation by Blue Ridge Narcotics and Gang Task Force Leads to Multiple Arrests
POLICE: 7 Day FRPD Arrest Report 1/15/2024
POLICE: 7 Day FRPD Arrest Report 1/8/2024
POLICE: 7 Day FRPD Arrest Report 1/1/2024
POLICE: 7 Day FRPD Arrest Report 12/18/2023
POLICE: 7 Day FRPD Arrest Report 12/11/2023
Invitation to Bid: E. Wilson Morrison Elementary School Gymnasium Conversion
Legal Notice: Hydroelectric application has been filed with the Commission and is available for public inspection
EDA: Request for Qualifications for the provision of debt collection legal services
EDA: Invitation to bid; roof replacement
Special Commissioners Sale Saturday, October 5, 2019: Two adjoining tracts 42 & 41 acres
Front Royal Town Council Announces Board and Committee Vacancies
Front Royal Announces Holiday Schedule Changes and Seasonal Service Updates
Front Royal Adjusts Trash, Recycling, and Christmas Tree Collection for New Year’s Day
Front Royal Seeks Civic-Minded Citizen for Building Code Appeals Board
Front Royal Town Council on the Hunt for New LBBCA Member
What’s in a Name? Town’s Economic Development Authority Ponders its Future Vision, Mission, and Financing
FR-WC EDA Asset Committee Reviews Status of Several Properties, Mostly in Closed Session
County Overseen EDA Takes Care of Business at Last Meeting of 2023
McDonald Defense Counsel Renews Motions, Including for a New Trial, as Feb. 12 Sentencing Date Looms
Town Announces Withdrawal of its Civil Litigation Against the FR-WC EDA
Supervisors explore budget carryover process and new software prior to light meeting agenda – THEN there was the closed session
EDA Board Chairman Jeff Browne reacts to July civil litigation results ordering total of over $13.35 million paid to the County Economic Development Authority
Jury awards WC EDA $11.9 million-plus in civil compensatory claims against ITFederal and Truc ‘Curt’ Tran
EDA civil liability defendant ‘Curt’ Tran on witness stand for over 4-1/2 hours as trial heads into final day
EDA vs. Tran/ITFederal civil liability and counterclaim trial heads into third day with defense poised to call final series of witnesses
Penny Lane Hair Co: A Fresh Cut on Front Royal’s Main Street
Front Royal Welcomes the New Chapter of ‘Play Favorites’ Toy Store
Front Royal Welcomes Fleetwood Vintage: A New Era of Funky Fashion on Main Street
Front Royal’s New Fitness Flavor: Fitness Fuel
A Tale of Two Visions: Butler’s Achievements vs. Cline’s Commitments
Sixth District Perspectives with Congressman Ben Cline – December 27, 2023
Warner YEARLY Wrap-Up: Bringing it Home for Virginia
GOP Lawmakers Challenge Treasury on COVID-19 Fund Management
Congressman Cline Proposes Accountability for Use of Federal Grants in Universities
House Approves Cline’s Bill to Increase Regulatory Accountability
White House Unveils $1 Billion for Electric and Low-Emission School Buses
Extraordinary Registered Nurse, Alexia Jennings, Recognized at Fauquier Health as DAISY Award Winner
UVA Health Prince William Medical Center Celebrates Arrival of First Newborn of 2024
Researchers Look at How to Help More Community College Students Gain Four-Year Degrees
Preventative Care is Key: End of Year Wellness
Halfway Through Fiscal Year: Virginia’s General Fund Revenues Align with Forecasts
As Data Centers Continue Spreading Across Virginia, State Lawmakers Propose New Development Rules
Three Interesting Bills of the Week: Animal Cruelty Offenders, Age of Marriage and Towing Fees
Historic Display of Racial, Gender Diversity Marks the Start of 2024 General Assembly Session
Youngkin Re-Ups Call for Tax Changes, Vows to Veto Right-to-Work Repeal
Front Royal Cardinals vs. Charlottesville Tom Sox: The Playoff Battle Continues!
Front Royal Cardinals Face Charlottesville TomSox in Thrilling Playoff Clash – Friday, July 28th
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Front Royal Cardinals Set to Face Strasburg Express in an Exciting Matchup – July 21, 2023
Front Royal Cardinals and Winchester Royals Set for Epic Showdown – July 19th
R-MA Boys Varsity Basketball Update 1/12/24
R-MA Athlete of the Week: Michael Jr. DeMato
R-MA Athlete of the Week: Ruth Teferi
R-MA Athlete of the Week: Chidera George
Randolph-Macon Academy athletes shine at state meet, bringing home medals and setting personal bests
Warren County HS vs Kettle Run HS – Girls Basketball, December 13, 2023
Warren County HS vs Strasburg HS – Girls Basketball, December 12, 2023
Warren County HS vs Luray HS – Boys Basketball, December 5, 2023
Warren County High School vs Rappahannock – Girls Basketball, November 30th
Warren County HS vs Strasburg HS – Boys Basketball, November 28, 2023
Skyline High School Graduation – Saturday, May 28, 2022
Skyline High School Class of 2021 Graduation Ceremony
Baccalaureate service for graduating seniors
Skyline vs Independence High School, February 12, 2021 at 6 PM in the third round of the Region 3B Basketball Tournament
Skyline vs James Monroe High School, February 9, 2021 at 6 PM in the second round of the Region 3B Basketball Tournament
Warren County Middle School vs Skyline Middle School – Girls Basketball, October 4, 2021
Warren County Middle School vs Frederick County Middle School – Girls Basketball, September 27, 2021
Warren County Middle School vs Daniel Morgan Middle School – Girls Basketball, September 23, 2021
Warren County Middle School vs Admiral Richard E. Byrd Middle School – Girls Basketball, September 20th, 2021
Warren County Middle School Academic Honors Ceremony – 8th Grade
Warren County Middle School vs Skyline Middle School – Girls Basketball, October 4, 2021
Skyline Middle School Academic Honors Ceremony – 8th Grade
Skyline Middle School Academic Honors Ceremony – 7th Grade
Skyline Middle School Academic Honors Ceremony – 6th Grade
Skyline Middle School vs Daniel Morgan, June 3rd – Girls Volleyball
Hilda J. Barbour Elementary School – 5th Grade Graduation Event
WATCH: E. Wilson Morrison Elementary School – 5th Grade Graduation Parade
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The Importance of Reading Your Lease Agreement Thoroughly
Understanding Property Value: Key Factors That Determine Your Home’s Worth
Financing Home Renovations: What Are Your Options?
Smart Social Media Practices for Real Estate Transactions
Considering House Flipping? Here’s How to Know if It’s Right for You
House for Sale: 1048 Horseshoe Drive, Front Royal – Watch the tour!
Brand new beautiful homes in Warren County with 100% financing available
OPEN HOUSE: 159 High Point Court, Front Royal – This Saturday, April 2nd
House for sale: 159 High Point Court, Front Royal
House for sale: 104 Foam Flower, Lake Frederick
Start your day with a smile
Start your day with a smile
Start your day with a smile
Start your day with a smile
Start your day with a smile
The Paradox of Conformity in Modern Society: Insights from Cass R. Sunstein’s Latest Book
The Enduring Power of a Simple ‘Thank You’
The Inspiring Life of Martin Luther King Jr.: A Legacy of Courage and Hope
Getting Started with Cross-Country Skiing: A Beginner’s Guide
Courses to Ignite Your Creative Spark
History of American Political Parties, Part IX: The Politics of War
Andrew Jackson, Teddy Roosevelt, Hillary Clinton and the Watergate Scandal: An Brief, Annotated History of Campaign Finance
VIEWPOINT: Christmas Choices, Celebration, and Expanding the Beachhead
History of American Political Parties, History of Politics Part VIII: The Politics of Slavery
The Cracked Acorn: Old Days!
The Cracked Acorn: Am I Crazy?
The Cracked Acorn: New Year
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Should I Choose Passion or Duty?
Why we should be ‘Babyish’ in Love
The School of Life: How to Stop Playing Games in Love
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Pearl Harbor: The Day That Changed America Forever
Looking Back: A Mothers Revenge – Hannah Duston
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The Year Without A Summer : “Eighteen Hundred & Froze To Death”
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5 meaningful ways to celebrate Veterans Day
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The 11hour of the 11th day of the 11th month – Veterans Day 2020
Safe At Hope 2023: The Un4gettable Series – a few players help announce!
Randolph-Macon Academy Radio Stations (WA4RMA) joins Winlink Wednesday Century Club
Concern Hotline named beneficiary of Ride with Rotary
Boots & Bourbon Fundraiser success helps purchase possibly two book vending machines
Pumpkin faces on Serenity Farm
Positive Vibes from the Valley welcomes Beth Medved Waller
The Rotary Club of the Northern Shenandoah Valley hosting blood drive
Help replenish the blood supply after holiday weekend
Community Blood Drive to be held this Wednesday, March 3rd
Santa Claus is coming to Town, Warren County!
Warren Heritage Society announces the publication of their newest book, “Coming Together”
Send bracelets to quarantined residents of Commonwealth Assisted Living in Front Royal through WeAreSPACE.org
Warren’s Heritage: Native American History-Part 10
Warren’s Heritage: Native American History-Part 9
Warren’s Heritage: Native American History-Part 8
Breakfast with Barry Lee – Dishing out ample servings of positivity, humor, and community spirit.
Fueling Your Future: How to Turn Your Passion into a Profitable Venture
Harnessing the Goldilocks Rule for Unwavering Motivation
Essentials for an Effective Home Office Setup
China’s Shadow Banking Crisis: A Looming Threat to the Economy
New Year, New Updates: HR Department Calls for Updated Records
Capitalizing on the Holiday Spirit: Job Hunting in Festive Times
Hand-Delivered Ambitions: The Art of Submitting Resumes in Person
Tapping into the Wisdom: Welcoming Older Workers to the Workforce
Newcomers: The Untapped Potential in Business Growth
Mechanical Mastery: Three Careers to Jumpstart Your Passion
Bacon-Wrapped, Cheese-Stuffed Jalapeños: A Spicy Delight
Spicy Chili Con Carne Recipe: A Hearty Delight
Festive Flavors: Christmas Tree Bites to Brighten Your Holiday Table
Ginger: The Spice That Soothes and Delights
Nurturing Future Leaders in Agriculture and Education: The Doug Stoughton Memorial Scholarship
How Virginia’s Dept. of Forestry and Christmas Tree Growers Spruce up the Holidays
Planting the Future: The Revolutionary Role of Seed Technology
Virginia’s Creative Harvest: Celebrating Farming with Hay Bale Art
Battling the Green Invaders: Effective Strategies Against Invasive Plants
Navigating Menopause: Effective Strategies to Manage Hormonal Changes
Raising Awareness: The Silent Battle Against Glaucoma
Leaner Than a Pig: Rethinking Body Fat in America
Brisk Walking: A Simple Step to Lower Type 2 Diabetes Risk
Step Right Up: Mastering the Art of Walking for Optimal Health
2024 Interior Design Trends: Blending Elegance and Functionality
Building Financial Literacy in Children: Key Strategies for Parents
Financing Home Renovations: What Are Your Options?
Transform Your Home with These 8 Easy DIY Projects
Navigating Insurance: Common Mistakes to Avoid
Recognizing Elder Abuse: Key Signs to Be Aware Of
Navigating Menopause: Effective Strategies to Manage Hormonal Changes
Raising Awareness: The Silent Battle Against Glaucoma
Social Security Benefits See a Modest Increase in January
Seniors: Unsung Heroes in Animal Shelters
Navigating the Tricky Waters of Unwanted Gifts: A Guide to Graceful Gratitude
The Hidden Benefits of Boredom for Young Minds
Unlocking the World of Entrepreneurship: A Beginner’s Guide
The Incredible World of Cockroaches: More than Meets the Eye
DIY Delight: Whip Up Your Own Jujube Gummies
Seniors: Unsung Heroes in Animal Shelters
Holiday Cheer for Furry Friends: Pets Join the Festive Fun
The Dark Side of Puppy Adoption: Why Steering Clear of Puppy Mills is Crucial
Unveiling the Spiky Enigma: A Comprehensive Guide to Caring for Pet Hedgehogs
The High Stakes of Pets and Pot: How to Safeguard Your Furry Friend from Cannabis Exposure
Escaping Winter’s Chill: A Snowbird’s Guide to Seamless Travel
Steering Clear of Traveler’s Thrombosis: Tips for a Healthy Journey
Soarigami: A Novel Solution to the Airplane Armrest Dilemma
Journey through Time: Norfolk to Blacksburg and Virginia Beach to Abingdon Road trips among America’s favorites
Experiential travel turns tourists into adventurers
Optimizing Your Electric Vehicle’s Range in Winter
Staying Safe and Cozy: The Winter Coat Dilemma While Driving
Navigating Sticky Brakes: A Guide to Handling Brake Troubles Safely
Navigating Winter Roads: Choosing the Right Tires with Expert Help
The Mystery Behind Car Rear Windows: A Design, Not Safety Choice
Ringing in Renewal: The Timeless Tradition of New Year’s Celebrations
The Art of Regifting: Balancing Ethics and Etiquette
Unwrapping the Holidays: The Case for a Chaos-Free Christmas
Three Ways to Turn Holidays Into Your Favorite Time of Year (And Three Survival Tactics if They’re Not)
The first order of business at Tuesday evening’s 6 p.m. convened work session of the Warren County Board of Supervisors was a re-arrangement of the agenda, which included moving a slated Closed/Executive Session for legal advice on three topics from the opening item of business to an undetermined later point.
The open work session then began with presentations by representatives of, first the Virginia Regional Transit Central District/Corridor Connector bus system (2:10 video mark); then the Front Royal Airport (FRR) based Silent Falcon company (14:20 video mark).
Va. Regional Transit Central District Manager Michael Socha opened the work session with an upbeat update on the ‘Corridor Connector’ town to county bus transportation operation (2:10 video mark). Below, Silent Falcon CEO Grant Bishop followed with a report on his company’s changing operational focus and its potential from coupling drone and A.I. technologies to improve airport inspections and safety standards, which Silent Falcon appears to stand at ground zero of (14:20 video mark).
The third presentation was financial contractor Davenport company’s review of the County’s current financial status and rating assessment by Moody’s (1:04:55 video mark). On that latter front the board was told the County has been able to maintain a “very strong” Double AA financial rating, Double AA+ in some areas, with Triple AAA being the top of the financial heap rating.
Chairman Vicky Cook asked why the FR-WC EDA debts, including from the financial scandal era, weren’t included in the County financial analysis. It was explained that the EDA being a separate quasi-governmental entity, albeit one created by municipal governments to assist in their positive economic development, are the officially responsible agency for their debt, not the municipality, in this case Warren County and likely also the Town of Front Royal, which was a participating founding entity at the time the existing EDA debt was created. However, the Davenport rep indicated that he was working with County EDA Director Joe Petty on potential implications or impacts of that EDA debt on county finances were the now County-overseen EDA to default on its debt.
Earlier, Petty explained in introducing the Silent Falcon presentation, that the company which relocated here from New Mexico several years ago amidst the initial COVID pandemic impacts, is seeking a Letter of Support from the county supervisors for a 15-month extension of it operational programs based out of the County-owned Front Royal Airport. Silent Falcon’s business realignment from the manufacture of drones from their pre-COVID, New Mexico headquarter days, to their drones use in conjunction with A.I. technology to map out and identify physical problem areas at airports on a global scale, was explained in some detail. It is a change of business focus since arriving here at the County airport.
And while Supervisor Cheryl Cullers pointed out the company hadn’t met its projected employee and salary benchmarks presented with their arrival, saying she would need “more info to endorse” an extension of the arrangement with the company, Supervisor Delores Oates countered that the presence of an evolving and cutting edge technology business in the community is viewed as an overall plus for economic development and job generation moving forward. Most supervisors seemed to agree with that assessment.
Speaking of the potential of expanding a global technology revolution in airport safety, among other drone-related operational avenues from a base right here in Warren County, here is a frame from the Silent Falcon graphic projection presentation.
Virginia Regional Transit Central Manager Michael Socha gave the board an update on Corridor Connector bus operations, and took suggestions on areas to explore, like running scheduling adjustments to accommodate shift changes in some of the north corridor commercial and industrial areas. Socha noted the 50-cent fare remains suspended and noted a new bus would be coming soon with no local match costs required.
Following those three presentations exactly where to place that deferred Closed Session came up. When it was suggested by Chairman Cook to finish the rest of the open work session agenda then go into closed session, County Administrator Ed Daley reminded the chair and her colleagues that they pay County Attorney Jason Ham of the Harrisonburg-based Litten-Sipe law firm “by the hour” and that Ham had been promised a relatively early exit from the work session, which by 7:40 p.m. was somewhat past the early departure window. So, the chair and her board opted to go immediately into Closed/Executive Session at 7:45 p.m.
It was an attorney-driven triple header Closed Session featuring legal advice regarding the pending three-party MOA (Memorandum Of Agreement) between the County, Town, private-sector Reaching Out Now group on resurrection of a community-wide Youth Center at the old Santmyers Youth Center facility owned by the County. Other topics were legal issues regarding board meeting policies and two county properties on 2nd and Hillidge Streets. The board and staff didn’t emerge from that closed session until 9:25 p.m., an hour-and-40 minutes later. So much for that “early out” for the drive back to Harrisonburg, Jason.
County Administrator Ed Daley, left, reminded the county board that their Harrisonburg-based County Attorney Jason Ham, right, was paid by the hour, including sitting and listening to reports unrelated to his work for the County while awaiting a re-positioned Closed Session at which he was needed for all three topics.
Finally out of closed session the board dealt with four more work session agenda items prior to adjourning less than an hour later at 10:11 p.m. Those included the financial implications of a Virginia 250 State Tourism Program matching grant that would move the lone existing acknowledgment of lost Revolutionary War soldiers on the Courthouse grounds, a foot-stone marker determined to have been gifted by the Front Royal Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in 1990, to a more prominent location and add a bench marker to that display. It appeared that cash out of pocket remaining to the County would be $1,625 of a $8,075 dollar 50/50 match on a total cost of $16,150.
Wait a second, the proposed new memorial bench won’t sit on top of the re-positioned existing county Revolutionary War soldier marker on the courthouse grounds, will it? – At least one supervisor, Cheryl Cullers, wondered after viewing graphics accompanying the Va. 250 anniversary grant proposal review package.
Next was a revisiting of Criteria for Waiving the 100′ Setback from Neighboring Dwellings on Short-Term Tourist Rental permitting applications. The staff summary of an inquiry by the supervisors on adjusting county codes to bypass so many individual application waiver decisions reported this:
“Both the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors indicated a preference for keeping the setback requirement as a supplementary regulation that the Board of Supervisors can waive. The Board of Supervisors requested Planning staff to work on potential criteria for the Board to consider when deciding whether a waiver of the setback is appropriate.
“Planning staff believe building out criteria under the 100’ setback requirement in the supplementary regulations for short-term tourist rentals is unnecessary and could complicate the decision to reduce the setback. The ‘criteria’ is already in the Code.”
Planning Director Wendling concluded that while the staff preference is to maintain the status quo of the board granting waivers based on conditions specific to individual applications, it would be advisable for the County to work closely with neighborhood POAs (Property Owner Associations) to see that the interpretation of county codes regarding short-term rentals don’t automatically override “Restrictive Covenants” those POAs may establish for specific neighborhoods based on a residential majority’s desire that the short-term rental use not become an allowed use in their neighborhoods.
After delaying the discussion of the County Handbook on Personnel Policies & Procedures to a future date, County Administrator Daley led the board through a preview of the coming Fiscal Year-2024/25 budget meeting schedule. And with that, as noted above, the meeting adjourned at 10:11 p.m., only 4 hours and 11 minutes after it began.
Click here to watch the Warren County Board of Supervisors Work Session of November 14, 2023.
Veterans Day Native Tree Give-Away Sees 360 Young Trees Find New Homes Within 2 Hours
School Board Votes to Bolster School Security, Hire More Ressie Jeffries Teachers
Supervisors Approve Support of Silent Falcon Job Creation Grant Time-Frame Extension, Note Full Funding of Samuels Public Library
At the regular meeting of the Warren County Planning Commission on January 10, Planning Director Matt Wendling initially presided over the election of new officers for 2024 for the commission. The commission unanimously reelected its current officers – Robert Myers, Chairman, Hugh Henry, Vice Chair, and Allison Mutter, Secretary and Clerk to the Commission. At the conclusion of the voting, the commission reclaimed the dais and launched into its regular business.
Warren County Planning Director Matt Wendling, assisted by County Attorney Jordan Bowman, presides over the annual election of officers for the commission. All the current officers were unanimously re-elected. Royal Examiner Photos Stephen Sill
Following last month’s suspension of public hearings for four Conditional Use Permit (CUP) applications, the commission concluded the suspended public hearings.
U-Star Transportation has applied for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for a motor freight terminal for its Industrially zoned property on Rockland Road adjacent to the Kelley Industrial Park in the North River District. The applicant intends to utilize the 2.1-acre lot for 29 spaces for Tractor trailers. It is not projected to have buildings or utility connections. The plan includes opaque fencing and plants for screening and buffering along Rockland Road and adjacent residential lots. Director Wendling reminded the commission as he did during the last meeting that the application proposes the use of a gravel/stone surface for the facility which would be graded and compacted, while the County’s code requires a hard surface. The application included a waiver request for this requirement. Since the last meeting, Director Wendling said the planning staff had added a fifth condition to the CUP – that the surface should be covered with a material approved by the planning staff during the site planning process. There were no speakers to support or oppose the permit. However, after the public hearing was closed, Chairman Myers expressed his opinion on the surfacing issue.
“As far as not paving the parking lot, to me that’s a non-starter. I realize that’s expensive. And because of the trucks it would have to be a heavier depth of asphalt, but to me, that’s one of the costs of doing business,” Myers told his colleagues. Planning Director Wendling said that there had been discussions about a potential compromise by requiring the entry drive and turnaround area to be hard surfaced, and allowing the remaining parking area to be gravel, but if it was the will of the Commission, the fifth condition could be to require all hard surface. There followed a discussion of potential alternatives to asphalt paving, including recycled asphalt millings. Chairman Myers also floated another option called CTA. CTA stands for “cement-treated aggregate” and consists of a mixture of aggregate material and/or native soils combined with measured amounts of Portland cement and water. After being compacted and cured, it hardens to form a durable paving base material.
Marisa Whitacre of Greenway Engineering, representing the applicant, told the Commission that they had discussed alternatives with the Planning Department, including the partial paving for the drive area and the remainder in gravel. Their issue with the asphalt paving requirement was that the weight of the heavy trucks over time would rut into and crush up the asphalt.
Marisa Whitacre of Greenway Engineering, representing U-Star transportation, responds to questions from the County Planning Commission about hard surfacing requirements for a motor freight terminal off Rockland Rd. The commission eventually approved a conditional use permit for two years to enable the applicant to bring the site up to county standards.
Vice-Chairman Henry was concerned that waiving the county’s minimum requirement could also create a precedent. Director Wendling said that in other cases the County had approved permits with a time requirement to meet the standard, say two to five years for the developer to meet the hard-surface requirement. The Applicant representative also clarified that the parking area will not be used for storage beyond a few hours at a time for transitory parking. After further discussion, Vice-Chairman Henry made a motion to recommend approval of the CUP with the added condition to require the hard surface paving in accordance with the County code within two years, subject to a posted bond sufficient to cover the cost of the paving. Commissioner Scott Kersjes seconded, and the commission voted unanimously to recommend approval. The CUP application will go to the Board of Supervisors for its February 6th meeting.
Green Valley Baptist Church is applying for a CUP for a Church on a 10.2-acre site at 150 Ridgemont Road in the North River District. The Church has conducted a feasibility study. The site is zoned Agricultural (A) and was the subject of three previous CUPs. The proposed use is allowable by CUP in the Agricultural District. Planning Director Wendling told the commission that the 90-member church meets Sundays and Wednesdays and plans to use an existing structure for their church building once it has been brought into code compliance for that use. If this CUP for a Church facility is approved, the three previous CUPS – for a Commercial Nursery and Garden Center, a microbrewery and brewpub; and an Agra-tourism facility, would be terminated.
Pastor Tim Kerchoff addresses the County Planning Commission to urge approval of a Conditional Use Permit to locate Green Valley Baptist Church to an existing facility at 150 Ridgemont Road. The commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of the request.
Prior to the opening of the public hearing, the applicant Pastor Tim Kerchoff made a brief statement to the commission indicating that all the feasibility study paperwork had been completed and the church was looking forward to getting in there and working with the County to make it happen. There were no other speakers at the public hearing, and on a motion by Commissioner Kaylee Richardson, seconded by Commissioner Kersjes, the Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval.
Jorge Lobo, of 97 Judy LLC, has made a request for a CUP for a short-term tourist rental for his property at 97 Judy Lane in the Mountain Lake section of Shenandoah Farms Subdivision. The property is zoned Residential-One (R-1) and is in the Shenandoah District. Zoning Administrator Chase Lenz briefed the Commission on the application. The applicant intends to manage the property himself with assistance from local professionals for cleaning, maintenance, and trash collection. The Health Department certification limits occupancy to four persons. The property meets the minimum setback requirements from the county code. The public hearing continued from last month’s meeting again yielded no speakers for or against the proposed permit, and the Commission, without further discussion, on a motion by Vice-Chairman Henry, seconded by Commissioner William Gordon, voted unanimously to recommend approval.
Vihari Vanga has requested a CUP for a short-term tourist rental for his property at 56 Sunset Village Road in the Junewood Subdivision. The property is zoned Residential-One (R-1) and is in the Fork District. The applicant intends to manage the rental himself with the assistance of an experienced local property manager. Zoning Administrator Chase Lenz told the Commission that there are now three active CUPs for short-term rentals in the Junewood subdivision, and that in this case the CUP would also require a setback waiver, as the property does not meet the short-term tourist rental supplemental regulation’s minimum setback requirements of 100 feet. The nearest dwelling on the east is 38 feet away, and the neighboring dwelling to the west is 94 feet away. That dwelling is also a short-term tourist rental. However, the applicant has submitted letters of support from each of those two neighboring property owners. As was the case last month, there were no speakers for the public hearing. Chairman Myers commented that normally the 38-foot setback would give him heartburn, but since both neighbors had provided letters of support, he did not object: “If the neighbors are okay with it, I’m okay with it!” Vice-Chairman Henry made the motion, and Commissioner Kersjes seconded, to recommend approval of the CUP. The vote was unanimous.
Greg Kelley has submitted a request for a CUP for a Short-Term Tourist Rental for his property at 886 Highridge Road in the South River Magisterial District The property is located in the Lake Front Royal subdivision and zoned Residential One (R-1). The applicant will manage the property personally with assistance from local professionals. There is currently one other approved short-term rental in the subdivision, but the Lake Front Royal Property Owners Association did not respond to a request for comment on the application. With no other comment the commission, on a motion by Vice-Chairman Henry, seconded by Commissioner Richardson, voted unanimously to recommend approval of the request.
The Commission had an advance view of a CUP application from Plein Smith Ventures, LLC for a Contractor Storage Yard. The property is located at (0) Baugh Drive and is zoned Industrial (I) in the Stephens Industrial Park and the North River Magisterial District. The applicant provided information about the planned development on this 23-acre parcel that will be a multi-use property with office and shop facilities and a wholesale nursery with landscaping and horticultural services equipment storage. Chris Mohn of Greenway Engineering provided a brief overview of the project. A complete site plan has not yet been provided, and the Commission was not voting on a permit. A public hearing for this CUP application has not yet been scheduled.
Plein-Smith Ventures, LLC concept plan for its 23-acre development on Baugh Drive was presented to the County Planning Commission. Public hearings will be scheduled, but the initial presentation was to explain the uses the developer plans for the parcel, including offices, shop space, equipment storage, and a wholesale horticultural nursery. A public hearing and approval vote has not yet been scheduled.
The Consent Agenda consisted of eight items to be advertised for public hearings:
These permit applications will be advertised for public hearing at the February 14 regular planning commission meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
At noon Monday, January 8, the unilaterally created Front Royal Economic Development Authority (FREDA as referenced by involved Town staff at the time of its establishment) held its first meeting of 2024. Following the election of officers for the coming year, the opening order of business was review and endorsement of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Town’s elected leaders to spell out the legal parameters of future operations and funding of the currently asset-less Town EDA. Up next was establishment of a consensus on determining a vision to guide its mission forward in expanding the town’s economic base and business and industrial profile.
On the officers side of the equation Rick Novak was re-elected chairman, Nick Bass and Tom Eschelman were elected vice-chairman and treasurer, respectively. All nominations were followed by unanimous voice votes of approval without opposing nominations. It was also clarified that FREDA now has an in-house secretary, also elected by unanimous consensus to that position she has been holding down for a number of months was Hillary Wilfong.
From lower left of table clockwise in photo: Hillary Wilfong (Secretary), Nick Bass (Vice-Chairman), Thomas Eshleman (Treasurer), Frank Stankiewicz, at far head of table Rick Novak (chairman), a partially obscured David Gedney, Aiden Miller, Robert Elliott, Town Director of Community Development and Tourism Elizabeth ‘Lizi’ Lewis, and Town Manager Joe Waltz.
With officers elected, Town Manager Joe Waltz led the Town EDA into review of its MOU with its creating municipal entity, the Town of Front Royal. The FREDA board first saw the draft MOU at its final meeting of 2023, on December 4. The MOU’s first page summarized its intent: “The purpose of this MOU is for the Town to provide financial and operational support to the Front Royal EDA on a voluntary basis to be used by the EDA to exercise its powers and satisfy its duties and responsibilities under Virginia Industrial Development and Revenue Bond Act, Town Code, and its Bylaws.” Waltz noted that only one change had been made to the original draft, at the suggestion of FREDA Board Chairman Novak. That change was the addition of a funding category for economic development-related “education and training support” for board members.
It was also noted that a referenced January 15 report to be delivered annually early in the fiscal-year budget cycle on the financing necessary for it to proceed operationally through the coming fiscal year would not be required this year. That is essentially because of some organizational snafus on the Town side during the foundation process two years ago under different administrative oversight that have delayed FREDA’s ability to begin its mission.
So, of the coming year’s budget Town Manager Waltz explained, “There is money appropriated to pay the meeting fees for the board of directors. There is probably still a little bit of seed money in there for economic development that we can go after if we have a specific project or need. And that’s where I’m talking about this year, we’ll have to kind of piecemeal those together until we get a better footing next year.”
Town Manager Waltz acknowledged the lag time in establishing FREDA as a fully functioning economic development authority. That involved administrative oversights like a failure to establish a Federal Tax ID required for FREDA to legally conduct business. It might be noted that those issues predated Waltz’s renewed tenure here, as well as the below referenced Town Director of Community Development and Tourism Lizi Lewis’s involvement.
“But the idea, the objective would be to be in position next year to actually be able to lay out a budget of what we need, not just your board of director fees and training, but actually getting engaged in some of the things that are community related here,” Waltz told the FREDA board of its existing situation versus what is hoped for in the next fiscal year budget cycle.
Following review of the MOU to be forwarded to town council for final approval, Community Development and Tourism Director Lizi Lewis led the board through development of a vision and mission consensus. Items including improved infrastructure, local versus national retail chain business interests, adding to accessible downtown parking, and the often-heard goals of maintaining a small-town ambiance while not becoming a bedroom community of Northern Virginia or Winchester, were suggested for inclusion in consideration of future economic development within the town limits.
Community Development and Tourism Director Lizi Lewis at the whiteboard lists vision and mission categories put forth by FREDA board members, while Town Attorney George Sonnett is in Town Manager Waltz’s ear about legal variables on the EDA path forward.
What’s in a name?
Re-branding, as in a name change to perhaps further distance itself in citizens minds from the economic development “sins” of the past, was also broached. However, it was noted on the legal side that could be somewhat complicated by state codes related to the creation of economic or industrial development authorities, which upon establishment are described as “quasi-governmental independent entities”. One board member pointed to the fact that the now County-overseen EDA was listed with Front Royal as part of its name and wondered if the County could be convinced to remove that town designation to reduce confusion as to which EDA was which. Unmentioned during the conversation was the fact that the jointly Town-County created (over a half century ago) EDA is still legally named the Front Royal-Warren County Economic Development Authority despite the Town’s decision to withdraw from operational participation in late 2021.
That decision, leading to the creation of FREDA which first met in January of 2022, was made at least partially on the advice of then-Interim Town Manager Matt Tederick. The decision came as the Town was poised to launch its civil litigation against the FR-WC EDA, which led to counter-civil litigation being filed against the Town by the County and its suddenly unilaterally-overseen FR-WC EDA.
At issue in the Town-initiated litigation appeared to be an attempt to distance the Town legally from financial liability for economic development actions occurring as the FR-WC EDA “financial scandal” evolved in 2014 to 2018.
The complicated economic development landscape for the Town was noted during Monday’s FREDA Board discussion of the MOU. It was pointed out that some potential commercial and industrial development properties within the town limits, including the planned 147-acre Royal Phoenix Business Park on the old Avtex Fibers federal Superfund site, do not belong to the Town, but rather to the FR-WC EDA. During discussion of the pending re-branding of FREDA under a new name, Chairman Novak pointed to the need for FREDA, by whatever name, to work with the now County-overseen FR-WC EDA. If not in control of those properties, FREDA could at least offer input on town government-desired economic developmental directions on those properties within the town limits.
“We want to work with the Warren County Economic Development Authority, we want to be working in cooperation with them. For me, I’m not trying to diss them (through a name change) I’m just trying to put a little distance between them and this seat,” Novak said of the path forward as the MOU discussion was drawing to a close (34:00 minute video mark). It is a path complicated by, not only the town government’s choice to move forward separately from the County on economic development, but also by those above-referenced dueling hostile civil litigations.
“So, I think we need to keep that in mind,” Novak said of a spirit of cooperation between EDAs. “And let’s see what we can do, and maybe the solution is a simple solution that Dave (Gedney) suggested with committees and what not. Let’s move forward and try to figure out what our work is,” Novak added, drawing some laughter after two somewhat frustrating years in an operational limbo due to above-referenced administrative lapses. “Because right now, I mean as a group here we’re not even sure why we’re here probably, right? Hopefully, we’re going to figure out some of that in the next few minutes,” Novak observed of the coming vision and mission discussion as the MOU conversation concluded.
A question was posed whether it would be possible for the FREDA board to see a list of existing Town assets that could be targeted for economic development projects to help estimate potential costs as their vision and mission goals were developed more specifically. “Yes, you’re talking land, parcels — we can get that together and try to provide that at the next board meeting,” Waltz replied.
Click here to see all the discussion of the EDA variables at play on the Town’s side moving forward in the Town video.
On January 8, at 7 p.m. in the Front Royal Town Hall at 102 East Main Street, the Town Council met for a work session in which they discussed, among other items of business, the merits of a new code of conduct for council-researched and drafted by Mayor Lori Cockrell. The discussion was animated, involving frank remarks of dissent from Councilwoman Amber Morris.
Town Council settles into the second-floor Town Hall meeting room for its Monday, Jan. 8, evening work session. Royal Examiner Photos Brenden McHugh
Following discussion of a potential boundary adjustment to Town limits, itemization of items to be addressed at an upcoming liaison meeting between Town and County, a brief budgetary input from Director of Finance B.J. Wilson, and a presentation from John Culbertson of MidAtlantic Solid Waste Consultants, which serves the Town in the capacity of providing analysis regarding solid waste collection, the mayor introduced the code of conduct for review. Following as it did a presentation on taking out the trash, it was only fitting that the contents of council’s ‘family romance’ were emptied in front of the press. As the passion of Morris indicated, Cockrell’s push for behavior befitting a council member is part of an ongoing, systemic issue. The code discussion was largely spent nuancing the meaning of the word improper when it comes to how council members are influenced by input; the word also captures how they permit themselves to act when interacting with each other and outsiders.
John Culbertson of MidAtlantic Solid Waste Consultants presents council with options for overcoming a financial deficit related to refuse collection.
“I think your intention in this is very well,” Morris remarked, addressing the mayor after the mayor focused the discussion on the definition of “improper” in terms of council members being improperly influenced, then added, “I think that you’re being very optimistic. I think this is going to be used as a tool against the council, and I think that the people in the public who did elect us to sit here in these seats equally elected each of us in our spots for different reasons … I will not be participating in this … the council can censor council members but aside from that the only way I can lose my seat here is if two-thirds of the registered voters in the town of Front Royal vote to remove me from the seat they elected to put me in … sometimes the duty of the constituents that elected me to be here is not always pretty …”
That Morris believes aspects of the proposed Code of Conduct could impact her continued presence on council seems to be implied here, yet only elliptically as no single aspect was specifically named. The extent to which Cockrell’s proposed Code of Conduct arises out of the necessity of addressing issues specific to Morris is also unclear. Yet Morris, in her remarks, seems to be indicating the ways in which she anticipates the code might affect her.
“Improper is subjective,” Cockrell said as council delved deeper into the language of the proposed code with the assistance of Town Attorney George Sonnett. The word “improper,” as it is used here, is an umbrella not only for council members being unduly influenced by a constituent’s input but also for conducting themselves in a way that is not respectful to others. “This Code of Conduct is not just about how we interact with each other,” Cockrell continued, “It’s also how we interact with the public.” The mayor referred to meetings in the past where members engaged in shouting matches with the public person at the podium.
“And I was there for those meetings,” Morris said. “I just don’t think that even if this code of conduct were in place, it would have changed those people’s behavior or actions.”
Taking the code point by point, Cockrell led council in discussing language that could be widely interpreted, receiving suggestions for a more precise word choice. The discussion was heavily annotated by Morris, who proclaimed at one point as they were discussing being respectful of other’s opinions. “Sometimes people are wrong!” Morris exclaimed, saying there might be a fact at stake, a fact that possibly has legal ramifications. — “I don’t have to honor those opinions that don’t uphold law and order,” Morris argued.
In terms of always remaining within their jurisdiction, Cockrell advised that in the past, council members have strayed from their jurisdiction by asking staff to do things that said council members had no authority to ask. Returning to the word choice “improper” for influence versus other options like “inappropriate”, the discussion again received strong input from Morris who said: “It’s just so much left up to interpretation and interpretation by who – by who?”
In response to a bullet point about council operating in harmony, Morris said: “There have been times with a previous town manager … previous council, previous mayor, where I have refused to participate in a meeting because it gives us exposure to something. So, therefore I’m not going to act as a whole body in this. I have to make my own conscious decision on what the best interest is for the town, for the two thousand people who elected me … So, I’m not agreeing to act as a whole with you guys if you guys go into a meeting that I know George said: ‘Nah, I would advise you not to do that,’ and you guys decide you’re all going to do it … I’m not going to agree to keep it kosher.”
At 9:45 p.m., council went into closed session to discuss personnel issues, receive legal counsel regarding First Bank and Trust, and to receive legal counsel concerning the Youth Center, which in a passing reference made earlier in the evening Amber Morris claimed has fallen flat.
Click here to watch the Town Council Work Session of January 8, 2024.
Following a two-hour Closed/Executive Session discussion of pending legal matters related to the EDA “financial scandal” (see motion at end of story) and its consequences, including asset recoveries and liabilities, at 7 p.m. January 2, the new look, post-November 2023 election Warren County Board of Supervisors elected officers for the coming year. Elected chairman, unopposed on a nomination by Richard Jamieson, was Cheryl Cullers. Outgoing chairman Vicky Cook then nominated Jerome “Jay” Butler as vice chairman. Butler, too, was elected unanimously without opposition.
Cullers (South River District), Butler (Happy Creek District), and Cook (Fork District) then took to the dais with new members John Stanmeyer (Shenandoah District) and Richard Jamieson (North River District) to get down to the business of the new calendar year 2024.
The newly aligned Warren County Board of Supervisors’ first act of open session business of 2024 was the election of officers, done with the supervisors seated in the first two rows of public gallery seating. Below, Cheryl Cullers taking the center chairman’s seat, with Vice-Chair Jay Butler to her right, the board begins the business of a new calendar year.
Chief among that business were public hearings on three lease agreements. First up was the lease on the old Santmyers Youth Center building at Eighth Street and Commerce Avenue for the re-establishment of a Youth Center under the guidance of local non-profit Reaching Out Now (RON). Second to be considered was a lease with another community-oriented group, the Warren Coalition, and finally, a renewal of the contract on operations at the County-owned Front Royal Golf Course. And spoiler alert — all three leases would be unanimously approved.
Board Reports – Uh oh, snow
But with that new year’s business comprised of a 21-item Consent Agenda and the three public hearings on lease agreements, those public hearings were not advertised to begin until 7:30 p.m., nearly 20 minutes away, new Chairman Cullers led the meeting into board reports. Both new and returning members expressed thanks to former members Walt Mabe and Delores Oates for their service, Cullers adding thanks to Cook for her chairmanship of the past year. In her report, Cullers noted the first measurable snowfall of the winter predicted for the coming weekend, Saturday in particular. She urged county citizens to prepare early and stay safe, minimizing driving under hazardous circumstances should that winter weather pattern hit as predicted. See those board reports and comments in their entirety from the 10:30 to 18:20 linked County video marks.
Tongue firmly in cheek, in opening his County Administrator’s report following Cullers’s final board member report, Ed Daley noted that “we had several suggestions that the County should close, beginning tomorrow, in anticipation of the storm, but that was canceled,” drawing some amusement from the chair.
Chairman Cullers warned citizens of predicted snow accumulations this coming weekend. Below, County Administrator Ed Daley, left, flanked by County Attorney Jason Ham, drew some amusement with a follow-up report on a failed ‘suggestion’ the County shut down normal operations for the rest of the week to focus on preparations for the coming winter storm.
In a final move prior to the 7:30 launch of public hearings, the board approved the lengthy Consent Agenda with just one removal for additional discussion. That removal was item 20: “Approval of Salary, Deputy Commissioner III, Commissioner of the Revenue’s Office.” The Consent Agenda was then approved as amended. After some discussion in the absence of Commissioner of the Revenue Sherry Sours, where the relative employment grades of involved individuals, one retiring and one moving into a new Constitutional Officer department, were explained, the board also unanimously approved the submitted staff salary arrangement.
During the lead public hearing on the Youth Center lease with RON, following Deputy County Administrator Jane Meadows’s introduction, Chairman Cullers invited RON President and founding member Samantha Barber to the podium to add any observations on the pending agreement (30:50 mark of the linked County video). Barber lauded the board and County staff for “staying the course” as the planned resurrection of a county-wide youth activities center and program has developed. “When we started this, we didn’t know the magnitude of work that had to be done,” Barber said of physical plant issues that have been addressed. “But you all did not waiver at all in supporting this venture,” she told county officials.
Barber then addressed a survey done among community students on what they were looking for from a youth center. “And sometimes we think that kids ask for the craziest things. But I can tell you that they were asking for quiet spaces to read. They were asking for something to eat after school. They were asking for tutoring opportunities. They were asking for games, from volleyball to just having a safe space. One student said, have security,” Barbour said, turning toward Warren County’s new Sheriff Crystal Cline, seated in the audience gallery. “They said ‘Please have security because we want a place to feel safe.’ And that was just from students in our school system,” Barber added, noting the plan to reach all the community’s youth, including private and home-schooled children.
‘RON’ President and founding member Samantha Barber, at the podium, gave a stirring account of preparation and cooperation between her group and county officials, as well as input from students on what they hope for from a resurrected County Youth Center. Below, Barber’s daughter, Kimberly Walker, now 24, a college graduate in the early stages of a professional career, she noted, joined RON members Jennie Dunavan and Marlena Conner in support of the organizational commitment and dedication RON members, and thus far involved County personnel, have and will bring to the table of Youth Center operations.
“And seeing the comments we received from kids was very much beyond tear-jerking where you would not believe these simple things they are asking for. And even in having conversations, they’re so excited about this opportunity. One thing the parents are really happy about is that, unlike the last time, there’s going to be a day that’s dedicated to all middle schoolers as well because we have to reach not only our high schoolers but our kids in the middle schools.
“We just wanted you to know that beyond this, we are dedicated. We are talking about creating an advisory team,” Barber added with a nod to Meadows as an invitee to that committee. “We want to work closely with our community, with our County, with our school system, Dr. Ballenger, with our principals, to make sure that what we’re doing for our students is what our students need. And that we’re adhering to those needs.”
Acknowledging the County’s move to create a “Drug Court” to help deter illegal drug use in a more positive manner, Barber also expressed hope for a positive Youth Center impact to counter negative “street culture” influences the community’s youth have encountered for decades as they are coming of age in this community.
During the public hearing, Barber was followed to the podium by RON members Jennie Dunavan and Marlena Conner, who noted she is also a teacher at Skyline Middle School and Samantha Barber’s now adult daughter, 24-year-old Kimberly Walker. All added to Barber’s comments about the amount of dedication being felt and commitment to the Youth Center project throughout RON’s membership. See those additional comments from the linked video marks 41:30 to 48:50.
With no additional discussion from the board, on a motion by Jay Butler, second by Vicky Cook, the board unanimously approved the lease agreement as presented.
The agenda staff summary on the RON lease agreement states: “Reaching Out Now requests to lease the Raymond E. Santmyers Youth Center located at 200 East 8th Street to provide leadership, empowerment, and service programs constituting public recreation activities for youth for free or at a reduced cost.”
As to cost and financing, it noted that: “The County shall not charge Reaching Out Now rent during the term of this Agreement or any renewal term if Reaching Out Now uses the Facilities to provide leadership, empowerment, and service programs constituting public recreation activities for youth for free or at a reduced cost.”
The County will also pay utility expenses for water, sewer, and electricity during the first-year term of the lease, subject to appropriation after June 30, 2024. After that, it appears RON will be responsible for basic utilities, as well as additional service costs like Internet.
In the wake of early verbal support of the new Youth Center project, attempts to determine a level of financial or other commitment the Front Royal Town Council is considering authorizing to the project have thus far been unsuccessful.
After hearing an introduction and summary from Deputy County Administrator Meadows again (49:45 video mark), this time with no public hearing speakers, the board unanimously approved a lease agreement with the Warren Coalition. The staff summary noted: “The Proposed Lease Agreement between the County of Warren, Virginia (County) and the Warren County Community Health Coalition, Inc., (Warren Coalition) is for the use of the Warren County Community Center, Classrooms 1 and 2. The term of the agreement commences January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024. Warren County Parks and Recreation Department and the Warren Coalition approved this proposed Lease Agreement on November 8, 2023.”
VA Golf LLC lease agreement
And going 3 for 3 on the night, following an introductory statement by County Finance Director Alisa Scott (52:50 video mark), the supervisors again unanimously approved a lease agreement, this time with VA Golf LLC to continue its management of the County-owned Front Royal Golf Club, the term to begin January 2, 2024, ending January 1, 2027, with three options to renew for 3-year periods each time.
The County will pay VA. Golf LLC $1,750 per month retainer fee on the 1st of each month ($21,000 per year). That cost was not an issue for the supervisors, as it was reiterated by VA Golf principal Louis Nichols that prior to entering into the lease agreement with VA Golf, when the County was self-managing the course, it was losing between $150,000 to $300,000 per year. The original deed of gift on the property to the community mandated that it be used for golf.
And with that and a nod toward some citizen appointments made as part of the Consent Agenda, the County supervisors’ first meeting of the calendar year 2024 was adjourned at 8:05 p.m.
The motion to go into the earlier referenced two-hour closed session regarding FR-WC EDA legal matters — and it appeared to have been a full two-hour meeting as the board members were leaving the adjacent closed meeting room right at 7 p.m. as the open session was about to begin — read:
“I move the Board enter into a closed meeting under the provisions of Sections 2.2-3711(A)(7) and (A)(8) for consultation with legal counsel pertaining to actual or probable litigation and the provision of legal advice regarding the Industrial Development Authority of the Town of Front Royal and the County of Warren, Virginia (the “EDA”), the Town of Front Royal, the EDA vs. Jennifer McDonald, et al., the Town of Front Royal vs. the EDA, et al., the EDA vs. the Town of Front Royal, other potential claims and litigation relating to other possible liabilities of the EDA, the recovery of EDA funds and assets, the outstanding indebtedness of the EDA and potential bank actions related to the same.”
Click here to watch the full open meeting discussions and actions in the above-referenced linked County meeting video.
On January 2, at 7 p.m. in Front Royal’s Town Hall at 102 East Main Street, the Town Council faced a packed agenda in their first work session of 2024. Their discussion covered budgetary review, acquisition of vehicles in the police department, a request for a special-use permit for a lodging house at 501 South Royal Avenue, two zoning items, a potential boundary adjustment to town limits, and a proposed code of conduct for council presented by Mayor Lori Cockrell.
Town Council meets for a packed work session agenda on Tuesday evening. Royal Examiner Photos Brenden McHugh
Possibly the most high-voltage item was the special-use permit for the proposed lodging house at 501 South Royal Avenue, the applicant being the Warren Coalition. That is because it would accommodate those in the community who are struggling with overcoming drug addiction and are not prepared to offer immediate value to said community. This lodging house idea has come under fire from members of the community who feel it would be an annoyance and potentially detract from business in that vicinity.
Included in council’s agenda packet for the evening were two letters addressed to the planning commission, which met on December 20, 2023. It was a meeting in which the commission recommended approval of the special-use permit with the conditions that “the total number of lodging rooms not exceed eight” and “applicant to provide parking to accommodate ten spaces prior to the commencement of the use.” This is precisely what the authors of those two letters hoped the commission would not do.
“It does not create jobs, promote local businesses, protect historic or community resources, or add to the experience of us locals and our millions of annual visitors who want to see our town, and our community, succeeding,” writes Edwin Wright of Manor Line Ranch, Market, and Back 40, in reference to the proposed lodging house. He offers churches and non-profits as a solution and adds that “if you agree that this is an issue worth special treatment, then make it a policy priority for the Town and the EDA, but please don’t make the mistake of granting special treatment to one property owner that undermines or undervalues the hard work and dedication to community of adjacent property owners.” He ends by saying that “there are people in our town who are improving the entrance corridors to create jobs, add accessibility, and protect historic and natural resources. Please reward that behavior. Promote that. This is not that.”
In her letter to the commission, Amber Lee of Studio Verde LLC delineates exactly how she fears the “men’s recovery housing development” would negatively impact her organic spa. The potential foot traffic, noise pollution, and loitering of men recovering from drug abuse could, she implies, make her female customers uncomfortable in an area where there is inadequate street lighting. In her judgment, the development would not be aesthetically pleasing and could lead to devaluation of property by increasing population density with its contingent effects and thereby repelling those who might otherwise move into the neighborhood.
“Here’s where the last piece of liberal is in me,” Councilwoman Melissa DeDomenico-Payne remarked as the discussion began: “Anytime you raise up other community members, you’re raising up your community. So, these are people who are trying; these are not the people who are out on our street. I’d rather see them in a building than on the street. I don’t like what I’m seeing behind 7-11 every day. So, I would rather give it a try and monitor it.” Among several items relevant to the lodging house, addressed in council’s discussion, one was presented by DeDomenico-Payne, the question being: what does the crime rate look like already in the neighborhood where the lodging house would be located? In other words, what type of environment would these at-risk individuals be entering? In response to this query, Councilwoman Amber Morris made the point that these individuals would be monitored, lessening the likelihood of criminal activity.
The Town’s Planning Director and Zoning Administrator, Lauren Kopishke, presents three items for council’s consideration, two of them zoning matters and one of them a potential special-use permit.
“This isn’t just a place to live,” Mayor Cockrell said, observing, “This is where there will be resources … help provided to them … it’s not just: ‘Here’s a place to live.’ ”
Council’s public hearing on the Special Use Permit application and consideration of the planning commission’s recommendation is slated for its next meeting.
At 9:15 p.m., council went into a closed session to discuss personnel issues, more specifically, the Town Attorney, Assistant Town Attorney, and Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA), as well as to receive legal counsel pertaining to obligations of the Front Royal-Warren County EDA.
Click here to watch the Town Council Work Session of January 2, 2024.
At its December 20 Meeting, the Front Royal Planning Commission, absent Vice-Chairman Connie Marshner, hosted a series of public hearings for pending requests. There were no citizen comments during the period allotted for planning-related subjects not on the agenda. Chairman Daniel Wells presided over three public hearings after explaining the rules for addressing the commission.
The Warren Coalition has submitted an application for a Special Use Permit (SUP) for a lodging house on a property at 501 South Royal Avenue (South Royal and South Street). The property is in the Entrance Corridor and zoned Commercial (C-1) Community Business District. It was used for many years as a real estate office. The Coalition intends to open a second recovery House to provide 8 rooms. The recovery houses provide a stable and safe environment for persons who have completed institutional drug treatment and rehabilitation to assist with transition to the community and provide additional services such as counseling, job assistance, and transportation.
Deputy Zoning Administrator John Ware outlined the permit application for the commission. Currently, the property does not have adequate parking for the use. The applicant has submitted a Plat showing parking spaces to be constructed that would meet the town’s requirement. Under questioning by the commission, Deputy Zoning Administrator Ware said that the proposed parking area to the rear of the property could qualify as a gravel surface rather than paved. Christa Shifflett, Executive Director of the Warren Coalition, told the Commission that the Coalition already has a residential facility “the Landing” on Royal Avenue that opened in May 2022. This additional facility will provide lodging for up to 15 residents and allow the existing facility to then admit female residents. There will be an on-site manager, and meals will not be provided. “The need is huge,” she said.
Warren Coalition Executive Director Christa Shifflett addresses the Front Royal Planning Commission to urge approval of a second recovery residence in the former B.K. Haynes building on South Royal Ave. Royal Examiner Photos Stephen Sill
Responding to questions from Commissioner Glenn Wood, Director Shifflett said that the record of the current residential facility at 200 N. Royal Avenue has been “as predicted”, with good relations with police, the courts, and the neighborhood, despite some initial concerns raised by neighbors.
Barbara Samuels spoke to the commission about the parking situation around the facility. She said that there was no adequate parking for the facility and that already Ay-View Drive along the south side of the property was taken up with curbside parking from the businesses on that street. She owns the adjoining property on Royal Avenue to the north.
Neighboring property owner Barbara Samuels urges the Town Planning Commission to disapprove a Special Use Permit for the Warren Coalition’s recovery residence on South Royal Ave. However, after hearing all involved variables the commission recommended approval.
Representatives and participants in Warren Coalition recovery programs addressed the Commission to urge approval of the permit. Drew, a resident at the current Warren Coalition recovery facility at 200 N. Royal Avenue, (The Landing) addressed the Commission to support the permit application. He said that his very positive experience in that facility was due to the strong staff and community support. He is employed and has hope for the future because of his time and experience there.
Hunter, who has been a resident for 2 months at The Landing, told the commission that he was able to get a job thanks to the assistance of the staff. Michael Hall, a Peer Recovery Specialist at the Warren Coalition, talked about the variety of programs and services that would be offered at the facility. “These homes … offer a place of safety and support that they may never have had in their entire lives,” Hall told the commission.
Commissioner Wood asked how many of the clients have cars? Answer – “Most clients do not have cars or even licenses. Staff will help them with transportation to jobs or to appointments, and clients will start saving for a car eventually”. Again, Commissioner Wood: “How many visits at the current location from the police?” Answer: “Two since the facility opened. One was a guy who the police were looking for who we had asked to leave, and the other was a probation check.”
Katie, a peer recovery specialist for Northwestern Community Services, spoke to the commission about her experience in recovery at a facility in Roanoke, made necessary by the lack of recovery services in Warren County. She stressed that serving local residents with local facilities is an important part of the recovery process.
James Funkhouser, a Peer Recovery Specialist and house manager for the Warren Coalition, told the commission that options are limited for clients who finish treatment. “Those options may boil down to either they go back to the environment that they came out of, or they can go to a sober living facility with much better results,” Funkhouser told the commissioners.
As far as parking is concerned, he reiterated the earlier testimony that most clients will not have cars and that visitors are not a large number.
After all the speakers had their opportunity, the Commission, on a motion by Commissioner Wood, seconded by Commissioner Brian Matthie, voted unanimously to recommend approval of the SUP, subject to the conditions that the number of rooms not exceed eight, and that the parking area accommodate 10 vehicles.
Skyline Realty Investments is applying for a Rezoning of a property consisting of two parcels at 29 West Duck Street from C-1 Community Business District to Residential (R-3). One part of the .7-acre property contains a structure and the other does not. No proffers were made by the applicant. The surrounding parcels are zoned commercial. Deputy Zoning Administrator Ware told the Commission that the development of residential properties does require curb and gutter installation. Under questioning by the commission, local builder and former town Mayor Chris Holloway, the applicant, said that the dwelling on the property is “falling apart” and that the parcel is too narrow for commercial use. He acknowledged that curb and gutter would be required but doubted that a sidewalk would fit with 8 town-homes. With the proximity of I-66 and shopping, affordable town-homes would be a good fit for that site, according to the applicant. The rezoning only permits the development process to begin, but once the parcel rezoning is approved by the Town Council, there would not be further public hearings, since town-homes are a by-right use. There were no speakers at the public hearing.
The Planning Department recommended approval of the request, despite the fact that the Comprehensive Plan calls for commercial uses for that area, apparently accepting the rationale that these parcels are too small for effective commercial development. On a motion by Commissioner Matthie, seconded by Commissioner Wood, the Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of the rezoning request.
Local Builder and entrepreneur Shelly Cook addresses the Town Planning Commission to defend her rezoning request for her property on John Marshall Highway. She has renovated a blighted former “motor court” into a destination venue for events and lodging.
Finally, the Commission took up a rezoning application by Cook Realty to rezone three parcels at 1121-1135 John Marshall Highway from Residential (R-1) to C-1 (Community Business District). This previously disused and blighted property has been extensively renovated by the applicant and is now known as “The Trellis” and is used as a short-term tourist rental and event center. Earlier this year the town approved a permit for the Short-term Tourist Rental but has not permitted the event center. The Town Comprehensive Plan future land use map identifies the area as medium density mixed use. There have been a few minor traffic incidents that attracted the attention of the Police Department since The Trellis has been in operation. A neighbor has complained about loud music and parking on Hillview Street. The records provided showed only minor traffic incidents and the noise complaint.
Under questioning by the commission, Deputy Zoning Administrator Ware said that the previously approved SUP had not been actually issued, because all the conditions for issuance had not yet been met. The planning department recommended approval of the rezoning request. The application package also included a letter from Skyline Baptist Church, commending the applicant for her work on the property, and citing the fact that they had no issues such as noise from events that have been conducted there. The proposed rezoning is in conformance with the Comprehensive Plan future land use map.
The applicant explained to the commission that the remaining condition for the Short-term Tourist Rental SUP was a roof connecting two structures, which has not yet been completed due to wind and cold weather. The work will be done before the SUP “would go any further” the applicant said. The SUP and the rezoning request are two different processes, and in any case, the rezoning request will go to the Town Council for final approval.
There were no speakers at the public hearing for or against the rezoning.
After a brief discussion, on a motion by Commissioner Williams, seconded by Commissioner Matthie, the Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of the rezoning.
The Planning Department activity report showed 385 zoning permits issued through November, making it the largest year in the past five. Code enforcement cases are at 339, down significantly from 2022. Business license issuance at 144 is about average for the past five years.
The Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
See the Linked Town video for all these discussions and public hearings.
Thank You to our Local Business Participants:
Copyright © 2016-2023 Royal Examiner. All Rights Reserved | Design by National Media Services, Inc.
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