About the WFLUP

The Western Frederick study area of the County provides a planned transition from the urban and suburban nature of the City of Winchester and the rural areas west of Route 37. The intent of the plan is to preserve rural lands, resources, and views west of Route 37, and concentrate new growth, particularly new residential growth, and higher density development in areas within the limits of the Urban Development Area (UDA) and served by public utilities (within limits of Sewer and Water Service Area, or SWSA) and services.

The area of the County now collectively identified as “Western Frederick” includes new and old residences, businesses both big and small, highway commercial areas, institutional uses, rural areas with distinctive historic and natural features, and recreational amenities. The Western Frederick Land Use Plan incorporates three previously studied planning areas: Round Hill Community (last updated 2010), Western Jubal Early (2006), Route 37 West (1997) and includes the area between the City of Winchester and Route 37 and north/south of Route 522 known as “Sunnyside” (area not previously studied).

WFLUP Study Area

The study (planning) area encompasses approximately +/-6,229-acres of the County generally west of the City of Winchester, including areas inside and out of Route 37, north and south of Route 522 (North Frederick Pike), north and south of Route 50 (Northwestern Turnpike), and north from Cedar Creek Grade (Route 622). The western most sections of the study area extend along Route 50 to Poorhouse Road (Route 654) and just east Wardensville Grade (Route 608). Properties included in the study area are also within the Stonewall, Gainesboro, and Back Creek Magisterial Districts.

Planning Process & Project Milestones

The Comprehensive Plans and Programs Committee (CPPC), a subcommittee of the Frederick County Planning Commission, endorsed updating and consolidating the Round Hill Community (last updated 2010), Western Jubal Early (2006), Route 37 West (1997, now known as "Albin") at their March 13, 2023 meeting. Sunnyside (not previously studied) was also included in the study.

Extensive public and stakeholder involvement was conducted prior to and throughout drafting the new land use plan and to aid staff in making revisions to the plan and ensuring recommendations included in the plan match the community's vision for this area of the County. Public involvement occurred starting in the Fall of 2023 and continued through August 2024. A summary of this outreach is provided below: 

• Interviews with key stakeholders, landowners, developers and Frederick Water (Fall 2023).
  
  
• A preliminary online survey and a series of in-person town hall style meetings to various community groups, organizations, and residents (presentation and summary linked below; Winter 2024).
  
  
• A second online plan preference survey and two (2) community meetings (presentation and summary link below; Summer 2024).

Summaries of presentations, surveys, and written comments received are linked below.

In response to public and stakeholder feedback and online survey results, including those comments received in August 2024, staff has prepared a new draft land use plan, future land use map, and other supporting maps (revised September 2024). The draft plan contains new policies pertaining to implementation of changes to various land use designations. Key changes to the future land use map include:

• Change in future land use designation of Sunnyside planning area from primarily "residential" and "business" to a mix of "urban center, residential, and recreation."
• Change in boundary for Albin Rural Community Center.
• New designation of "recreation" land use area in Albin planning area.
• Expansion of Sewer and Water Service Area (SWSA) boundary to include Round Hill Rural Community Center.
• Change in future land use designation of Western Jubal Early from "residential" and "business" to "planned unit development (PUD)."
• Minor changes to the planned transportation network, including the designation of Ward Ave as an "improved minor collector."

*Rock Harbor Golf Course (Round Hill sub planning area) was changed to a "business" land use in a previous plan draft. However, as a result of public feedback, the proposed land use was changed back to "commercial recreation" as designated by the Board of Supervisors in 2010.

Additional updates and milestones, including future public hearings, will be posted here when available. Staff anticipates completing the project in early 2025.

Opportunities for Public Engagement

Upcoming public hearing dates: December 4, 2024 (Planning Commission); January 8, 2025 (Board of Supervisors). Public hearings will be held in the Board of Supervisors meeting room, 107 N. Kent Street, Winchester, VA.

Additional comments or concerns, or questions about the project may be emailed to staff directly at wflup@fcva.us.

Join our e-mail list for notices about project updates.

Draft proposed land use plan & Other maps
Draft Land Use Map	Draft Area Facilities Map	Draft Transportation Map