Frederick County · Shawnee District

Preserve 99 Acres for Future Generations

A rare opportunity to permanently protect open land along Airport Road.

On November 12, the Frederick County Board of Supervisors will consider a proposal that could permanently preserve nearly 100 acres of open land in the Shawnee District.

Make Your Voice Heard
Open field bordered by woodland at the Frederick County preservation property
99.25 acresProposed for permanent preservation
VoluntaryLandowner-led conservation
November 12Board of Supervisors consideration

The opportunity

A Rare Opportunity for Frederick County

The application submitted by AMK Properties would amend the County’s Comprehensive Plan and change the future land use designation of approximately 99.25 acres from Industrial and Residential (4 units per acre) to Rural Area, allowing the property owner to pursue a permanent conservation easement.

This proposal represents a rare opportunity to permanently protect open space in one of the fastest-growing areas of Frederick County.

Why This Matters

Unlike many land use discussions that focus on future development, this proposal focuses on permanent preservation.

The property currently consists of agricultural land, mature woodlands, streams, ponds, and wildlife habitat located between existing industrial uses, residential neighborhoods, schools, and the Winchester Regional Airport area.

The proposed conservation easement would:

  • Preserve approximately 99 acres of open land forever.
  • Protect the Buffalo Lick Run watershed and associated natural resources.
  • Maintain a scenic gateway along Airport Road connecting Routes 50 and 522.
  • Create a permanent green buffer between industrial growth, airport activity, schools, and neighboring communities.
  • Eliminate future development pressure on this particular property.
  • Require no public acquisition of land and no additional county operating costs.
Rocky stream running through woodland on the property
Stream and wooded banks on the preservation property
Mature woodland with a leaf-covered forest floor

Preservation and Property Rights Working Together

This proposal is entirely voluntary.

The landowner is seeking to preserve the property through a conservation easement held by the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation, providing permanent third-party stewardship and protection of the property’s conservation values.

According to the applicant’s materials, the proposal would facilitate what could become the first private conservation easement in the history of the Shawnee District, demonstrating how private property rights and conservation goals can work together.

Benefits for Schools, Neighbors, and the Community

The preserved property lies approximately 1,500 feet from the rear boundary of the county’s largest K–12 campus.

Benefits identified through the application process include:

  • Protection of open space adjacent to existing neighborhoods.
  • Preservation of forested land and wildlife habitat.
  • Continued natural stormwater management through existing ponds and watershed features.
  • Reduced demand for future public water and sewer service infrastructure.
  • Potential opportunities for coordinated educational and historic programming in the future.

Additionally, an independent appraisal professional noted that conservation of open space in areas experiencing growth can preserve community character and may support surrounding property values by limiting the supply of developable land.

There Is Still Significant Land Available for Growth

A common question is whether preserving this property would limit future economic development opportunities.

The Airport Support Area continues to contain substantial amounts of developable land, even without the AMK property:

Developable land within the Airport Support Area, by Comprehensive Plan planned land use. These figures exclude the 99 acres in the AMK application.
Planned land useAcres
Industrial163.5
High Density Residential133.6
B2/B3 Commercial84.58
Total381.68

This proposal would preserve one strategically located parcel while leaving hundreds of acres planned for future economic growth, commercial development, residential development, and airport-related investment opportunities.

Explore the area

Maps and Property Context

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Current Zoning Map

Current Zoning Map for the AMK property draft land use amendment
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Existing Long Range Land Use Map

Existing Long Range Land Use Map for the AMK property draft land use amendment
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Proposed Long Range Land Use Map

Proposed Long Range Land Use Map for the AMK property draft land use amendment
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A Community Priority

The application materials note that the County’s 2026 Community Survey identified land preservation as residents’ top priority.

During the public review process, citizens spoke in favor of preserving the property, citing the opportunity to protect open land for future generations.

This proposal offers Frederick County a chance to preserve an important natural area while balancing ongoing growth elsewhere in the Airport Support Area.

Take action · November 12

Make Your Voice Heard

The Frederick County Board of Supervisors will consider this proposal at its meeting on November 12.

If you support preserving these 99 acres through a permanent conservation easement, we encourage you to submit a comment for the public record and contact your elected representative.

Open Your Support Email

This button opens a prepared message in your email app, with all five recipients in BCC and the subject and message filled in. Add your name after “Sincerely,” and review the text before sending. Please edit the residency statement if you do not live in Frederick County near the property. You will send the email yourself from your own account.

Preview the prepared email 
Subject: Support for AMK Properties Preservation — November 12 Public Record

Dear Board of Supervisors,

I am writing to express my support for the proposed Comprehensive Policy Plan Amendment for the AMK Properties parcel and respectfully request that this email be included in the public record for the November 12 Board of Supervisors meeting.

I support changing the future land use designation of this property from Industrial and Residential to Rural Areas. Preserving this land will help protect the rural character of our community, maintain open space, support agriculture and conservation, and prevent incompatible development adjacent to existing neighborhoods.

As a Frederick County resident living near these properties, I believe this amendment represents a positive long-term investment in our community's quality of life, scenic beauty, and environmental health. Once developed, these natural and rural landscapes cannot be replaced. Preserving this property now will provide lasting benefits for current and future generations.

I respectfully urge the Board of Supervisors to approve the Comprehensive Policy Plan Amendment and support the permanent preservation of this land.

Thank you for your consideration and for your service to Frederick County.

Sincerely,

Your voice can help protect this land for future generations.