Frederick City and County News of Interest VOL. 4, NO. 4 | APRIL 7, 2025

VOL. 4, NO. 4  |  APRIL 7, 2025 Frederick City and County News of Interest Please join our monthly email list by clicking here. Learn more about CRG at the bottom of this newsletter. For quick access, click on a title here and jump to that article, below: Commentary: It's Getting Late Early City: City Council Committees City: Cricket Anyone? City: Street Grid County: 'Frederick Futures' Public Outreach Meetings County: Data Center Update City & County: The City Nature Challenge, April 25–28, 2025 Upcoming Meetings & Events ______________ Commentary IT'S GETTING LATE EARLY Although the opportunity to register as a candidate for the 2025 Mayoral and City Council election has been open for several weeks, with less than 90 days remaining before the filing deadline, the number of individuals seeking office is disturbingly low.   As of Friday April 4, current Mayor Michael O'Connor is the only option for Mayor and although CRG is confident O’Connor does not mind running unopposed, this is not the best way to maintain a democratic system.   The City Council situation is equally troubling. Of the 5 districts, two have no candidates, one has one, and the 2 at large seats have just 2 candidates. Currently, there are 3 candidates in District 3 and one each in Districts 4 and 5. This unanticipated lack of interest could cause severe issues for the fall primaries and general election, as the City does not have a procedure in the event that no one is on the ballot in a particular district.   On a positive note, several civically involved residents are part of an all-out effort to recruit viable candidates who represent the values and concerns of each district. Sadly, success has been limited.   CRG challenges anyone who wants to make a difference in how the City grows and prospers to make themselves available to serve. The newly created legislative branch has been given more authority and ability to make things happen and at a higher pay scale! The time is now to represent your community.   All interested parties can reach out to CRG directly or to Phyliss Hane with the City of Frederick at phane@cityoffrederickmd.gov for additional direction.   City: City Council Committees Housing, Health, and Education (HHE) Committee The HHE Committee continued its discussion of the Housing Workplan at meetings on March 20 and April 3, with presentations describing the housing Continuum of Care (CoC), a community plan to organize/deliver housing services to persons experiencing homelessness and move them to subsidized (and other) housing. Presentations/discussions on Accessible Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Single Room Occupancy (SRO) facilities were also part of the meeting’s focus. Any provider receiving US Housing and Urban Development Department (HUD) funds must be part of the CoC, a group of 24 organizations that meets monthly to discuss best practices and identify community needs, grants, etc. Frederick County government is the lead organization and the main conduit for two state grant processes. During the discussion, committee members requested development of a funding matrix for the City Council to identify the funds available, the source of the funds, and the destination (i.e., the specific program that will receive allocated funds). Two other items of interest and concern were shared: The committee also confirmed the distribution of funds derived from the Rental License Ordinance: 50% will be reserved for affordable housing (or, as one member characterized it “price affordable” housing) and 50% for rental/tenant assistance. As well, the committee chair noted that the City Council had voted unanimously to release the covenant on properties designated as “perpetual affordable housing”, thereby permitting sale of specific properties that were initially purchased from the City by Habitat for Humanity to individual homeowners. This vote made possible the sale of one of the homes at market rate. During the meeting focusing on ADUs and SROs, committee members agreed affordable housing should be built anywhere in the City and not in specific designated areas; however, the lack of buildable land is an impediment. To address this problem, the City must have a regulatory framework sufficiently flexible to accommodate future affordable housing construction. The City’s experience with its ADU ordinance has exposed several barriers to development of these properties including parking requirements (e.g., how much flexibility is best?); maximum limit on ADU square footage within the larger property; and owner/occupancy issues (e.g., Does the Rental Licensing Ordinance affect this? Are we opposed to having two rental units on one property?). Committee members asked for real-life examples of the barriers, and a list of the issues that must be addressed. As for SROs, committee members noted that the definition of this type of housing differs from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and one funding source to another. All agreed that a Frederick City definition is an important first step. The discussion highlighted the need for new processes to inform and guide the City’s new legislative structure. One example is the Land Management Code text amendment process, including new procedures for bringing new text amendments forward. City: Cricket Anyone? The City of Frederick is in the process of developing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with an entity from Montgomery County to develop a Cricket Field in Frederick County. The field is envisioned to support regional events and will be located on the site of the former driving range on Route 144 just south of Patrick Street Bridge crossing I–70. City: Street Grid Frederick planning staff will be conducting an analysis of the street grid in the City and create a Master Plan to be incorporated within the small area plans as they are developed. This is a major opportunity to participate in the vision of how our community will respond to the challenges of growth. The City plans to complete the Master Plan by the end of the calendar year and your participation is important for ownership of the future City street network and its traffic. County: 'Frederick Futures' Public Outreach Meetings The County’s Livable Frederick Planning and Design office hosted three open houses in Thurmont (March 13), Middletown (March 26), and Urbana (April 7). These open houses are intended to provide members of the public with information about three newly initiated plans: the Housing Element, the Historic Preservation Plan, and the Green Infrastructure Plan. The Housing Element includes goals to reduce residential segregation, increase housing choice, and increase access to job and educational opportunities  (https://frederickcountymd.gov/8783/Housing-Element). In addition to Shelter (vision, strengths and challenges; housing strategy mapping, and lived experiences re. shelter), participants could weigh in on Culture (historic preservation) and Nature (Green Infrastructure). Attendees participated in several activities designed to elicit written responses on these elements at tables staffed by County planners. It is expected that community feedback will contribute substantially to considerations by Planning Commission members as they workshop the draft Recommended Plan, and by the County Council during the legislative process. Of note (and possible concern?) is that there does not seem to be (at least in the minds of some attendees) any coordination/collaboration with the City's planning vision and process. Wouldn’t a comprehensive planning approach to city/county housing be preferable? Learn more: frederickcountymd.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=13079 County: Data Center Update On March 25, the County Council held the second reading of the Knapp/Young Critical Data Infrastructure (CDI) ordinance, with the meeting solely dedicated to public comment from more than 70 presenters. This version of the ordinance leaves decisions on data center placement/siting in the hands of the Planning Commission which has limited purview over issues it is allowed to explore. An alternative CDI ordinance has been offered by Council members McKay and Donald. Their version ensures that any future data center siting in the County must be investigated, reviewed, and accepted/rejected by the County Council (as elected officials who are accountable to the County electorate, unlike appointed Planning Commission members). Planning Commission discussion on April 9 The Planning Commission will discuss the ordinance on April 9 with a final decision for the Knapp/Young ordinance scheduled for May 6. CRG is optimistic that the weak Knapp/Young ordinance will fail with the much stronger McKay/Donald version adopted soon thereafter; alternatively McKay and Donald could offer stronger amendments for the Knapp/Young ordinance. Your input to the County Planning Commission (planningcommission@frederickcountymd.gov) and County Council on both ordinances will be critical! The proposed MPRP construction of transmission lines from southern Pennsylvania through Baltimore, Carroll, and Frederick counties for powering northern Virginia data centers has been temporarily slowed as the State has found the application inadequate on several issues. This is a promising development, indicating substantial governmental concerns for the proposed invasive transmission line project. Let’s hope a final State decision will ensure rejection of the proposed power project. Such an action will protect private and multiple preserved lands that would be sacrificed for construction of this grid that solely supports data centers of our neighboring state. Remember, MD residents would pay for construction of the transmission line, estimated at $425M. Adoption of the project is not fair, is it? Data Center Siting Frederick County should be applauded for addressing the issue of data center location in the above-discussed CDI ordinance options and for wanting to improve siting constraints. However, whichever option is chosen (by right, or floating zone), two primary concerns remain: 1. How do officials intend to control growth of the data center industry in the County? If the industry decides it wants to grow in Frederick County at the rate and magnitude of our Loudoun County neighbors across the river, do Frederick officials and staff believe there are existing tools to control growth? The County is currently focused on siting with little discussion of controlling data center numbers or operations.   Ask yourselves the following questions: Can Municipalities annex adjacent land at will? Can Municipalities readily rezone land within their jurisdiction at will? Can Municipalities create municipality-specific tax structures within their jurisdiction at will (similar to Frederick City property tax, or could taxation have two components, with a property tax for the land and building as well as personal property tax for equipment and infrastructure within the center, as Loudoun County has done)? If the answers to any of these questions is ‘yes,’ the County may not have adequate control of data center expansion. CRG notes that a member of the County Council said the answer to these questions was indeed affirmative. 2. How does Frederick County protect access to water? Frederick County has limited access to water. As a result of a regional drought in 2003, the County was allowed to build an 8-inch water pipeline from the Potomac River to address County water needs. A significant portion of the water (20%) from this source was negotiated to be available to Quantum Loophole to serve their data center campus. The first two campus sites in development will require the entire allocation of water available for data centers from this source. What will be the source of water for the remaining sites on the campus? Has the data center corporation been promised ‘gray water’ infrastructure to be built, which would provide recycled water from the Ballenger-McKinney WWTP to meet additional demand? And what of river flow concerns? Are the Potomac River and its tributaries the projected sources of water for the 300 data center sites in Loudoun County? If it is from creeks and streams feeding the Potomac River, then Potomac River water levels will be impacted. If it is from the Potomac River directly, it could have a direct impact on water supply remaining available for drawdown by Maryland and other downstream users. Water is an asset under local control and CRG encourages the County to take measures to protect access to additional water from the Potomac, perhaps using aspects of MD and VA Riparian Rights. There should be caps understood by both states on maximum drawdown rates during normal river flow, as well as low flow conditions already addressed in the Potomac River Low Flow Allocation Agreement. During periods of constrained supply there should be a predefined priority regarding who has access to how much water, perhaps through the Interstate Commission of the Potomac River Basin or the Metropolitan Washington Council of Government. City & County: The City Nature Challenge, April 25–28, 2025 For the first time, Frederick County residents are preparing to join a global community science event with a very local focus: the wildlife in our environment. The City Nature Challenge (CNC) will take place April 25–28. The mission: to observe and identify as many species of wild animals, plants, and fungi as citizens can during the Challenge period — in local parks, neighborhoods, front stoops, back yards… anywhere. The Challenge is a fun event that offers a great opportunity to get outdoors. It also has a serious intent; the data collected will provide valuable information to scientists on urban wildlife and global biodiversity.   As our City grows, CRG believes we must allow and promote spaces for wildlife to survive, including pollinators, birds, etc. CNC volunteers collect data that help us understand effects on wildlife and biodiversity, as we increasingly expand and develop the City. More info on the City Nature Challenge in Frederick is here: www.mobilizefrederick.org/city-nature-challenge. Frederick County participants (as part of the Washington DC Metro Area) will use their cell phone cameras or digital cameras, and the free iNaturalist app to make observations. Mobilize Frederick, a local non-profit, is coordinating Frederick County’s participation. They are joined by more than 60 regional organizations. Special events will be hosted across Frederick County during the Challenge. Find the details at mobilizefrederick.org/cnc-events. Upcoming Meetings & Events County Planning Commission, Winchester Hall, April 9, 9:30 AM: Knapp/Young CDI Siting Ordinance Maryland Department of Environment meeting, Carroll Manor Elementary School, April 24, 6:45 PM: Amazon Data Center diesel generators on the Rowan Data Center Campus. 5624 Adamstown Road, Adamstown, MD City Nature Challenge, April 25–28: Throughout the County and City. Info on events: mobilizefrederick.org/cnc-events

__________________ See the CRG blog at: responsiblegrowthfrederick.com Contributors: P. Gallagher, S. Jakubczyk, E. Law, R. Robey, M. Rosensweig, K. Sellner CRG is a grassroots coalition of Frederick residents who prioritize responsible growth, expanding infrastructure, and a functional natural environment. We advocate for development that accommodates projected population increases while fostering a strong and diverse community fabric and increasing economic opportunities. Our comprehensive approach emphasizes public safety, traffic mitigation, increasing school capacity, and housing for all members of our community. Many Frederick residents want to know — but cannot find — information about how to participate in discussions of important local issues. The City and County generally hold meetings from 3–10 p.m., making it impossible for most of us to attend meetings or weigh in on issues of interest. Our mission with this monthly newsletter is to highlight City and County activities so you can learn more and, with your limited time, weigh in on areas of growth and development, City and County policies, and other local activities. Occasionally, opinions or longer stories will be offered by knowledgeable experts/readers. We welcome suggestions for articles focused on specific topics. Contact Kevin Sellner (kgsellner@gmail.com), Marge Rosensweig (marjorierosensweig@gmail.com), or Steve Jakubczyk (jakubczyksteven@gmail.com) for consideration of your issue. We're on Instagram... follow us! Check out our Facebook page!

Frederick City and County News of Interest VOL. 4, NO. 3 | MARCH 12, 2025

 

VOL. 4, NO. 3  |  MARCH 12, 2025 Frederick City and County News of Interest Please join our monthly email list by clicking here. Learn more about CRG at the bottom of this newsletter. For quick access, click on a title here and jump to that article, below: City: Update on Historic Winchester Homestead Site City & County: Implications of the Mobilize Frederick / Hood Climate Summit City & County: Help Form a Community Climate Action Plan City: Legislative Committee Meetings City: Brickworks Update City: East Street Corridor/East Side Small Area Plan County: Critical Data Infrastructure Ordinance Upcoming Meetings and Events ______________ City: Update on Historic Winchester Homestead Site On Thursday, March 27, 2025, 6PM, the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) is scheduled to vote on the demolition request for 127 E. 6th Street Frederick, the former B.F. Winchester Homestead site. The developer is requesting demolition of both the historic house and stable/garage on the site. Although the Commission voted 3–1 on December 12, 2024 that the site, in its entirety (including the house and the stable/garage), IS a Contributing Resource in the Historic District, the owner is proceeding with the demolition request and is preparing a legal argument to be presented on March 27th. Citizens in the neighboring community welcome any and all legal advice and/or legal referrals from CRG Newsletter readers toward countering the developer's possible arguments at the March 27th hearing. Please contact Jim Wagner at 301-682-4836 (or click here to email Jim) with those leads, and please also plan to attend the hearing to continue your support for the community and their efforts to preserve this unique, treasured, and historic site. Thank you!    City & County: Implications of the Mobilize Frederick / Hood Climate Summit The 3rd regional Climate Summit was held on February 28–March 1 at Hood College with over 525 registrants and 46 exhibitors. Through multiple keynote and workshop presentations, the Summit’s content showed how responsible growth goes hand-in-hand with reducing greenhouse gas emissions and building resilience in our existing and developing City and County communities. CRG applauds the summit’s organizers and commits to assisting adoption and implementation of the 40 recommendations proposed in the 2021 climate report delivered to City and County officials. Summit and report details are available at www.mobilizefrederick.org — so step up and provide informed suggestions to local officials and staffs on future policies responsive to improving our air, waters, and terrestrial environments! City & County: Help Form a Community Climate Action Plan Frederick County, the City of Frederick, and the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) are engaging the community to create Frederick County's first Community-Wide Climate and Energy Action Plan (CEAP). According to the County website: "The CEAP will map out where our community is at risk, document what we are doing that contributes to the problems, and identify actions we can take to tackle these issues. It will provide a guide for how we can work together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and prepare for the impacts a changing climate may have on our people, natural resources, businesses, and infrastructure. The CEAP is a data-driven project built in partnership with stakeholders, based on scientific research, and responsive to feedback from our residents." Read more at https://frederickcountymd.gov/9076/Community-Survey-Tell-Us-What-You-Think. You can get involved in this effort by taking an online survey here, and by attending events listed in the Upcoming Events below. City: Legislative Committee Meetings The new City Council established by adoption of the Charter Review Committee recommendations has created several legislative committees: the Government Operations Committee; Housing, Health, and Education Committee; and Land Use, Public Safety, and Community Development Committee. During twice-monthly committee meetings, policies and legislation are germinated. Agendas and supporting documents are published in advance and residents have an opportunity to weigh in at an early stage in the governing process in-person and virtually (e-comment). Below are highlights of meetings held in February–early March. City Government Operations Committee (GOC) On March 6, the recently formed Government Operations Committee (GOC) of the City Council met to discuss new operational procedures for the 5 City Districts selected in February. The discussion included various aspects of Neighborhood Advisory Councils (NACs) such as numbers per district, Council representation in districts and roles in NACs, and possible overlap of district boundaries, NACs, and Small Area Plans (8 SAPs in the City). The 3 Council members appeared to support postponing any decisions on NAC alignments with district boundaries until the new year when the new City Council will have been elected and begun governing. This would mean that the City-requested NAC recommendations derived from the mayor-established advisory commission begun in February 2023 would neither be considered nor adopted until mid-to-late 2026, 3 to 4 years after the commission was formed. CRG strongly disagrees with this possibility as any action in the current year on the recommendations for a more active NAC community could be easily amended by any new Council in the new year. CRG also disagrees with the GOC that district boundaries, NACs, and SAPs could not be bound within district boundaries as any SAP ought to include as many residents in the NACs and districts of the SAP areas in decisions on plans for their areas — after all, it’s their neighborhoods. Please urge GOC members to choose options for districts, NACs, and SAPs that best reflect the contributions and inputs of all residents of the affected areas! City Housing, Health and Education Committee (CHC) In public meetings held February 20 and March 6, CHC committee members addressed several issues related to their housing focus. Rental Licensing and Affordable Housing Conservation Ordinance: As required, Housing Authority staff presented the annual report of inspections, compliance/non-compliance with the Ordinance, and use of funds. Results from year one document a high compliance rate and, ultimately, only two properties were subject to court procedures. Staff and council members assessed the Ordinance as being successful and anticipate similar results going forward. Discussion focused on use of the $630,536 funds (from license fees) in Ordinance-designated pots of money (i.e., 20% to Tenant Protection; 30% to Rental Assistance; 50% to Affordable Housing). To date, no funds have been utilized and the Committee agreed that, as only one tenant had to relocate while their unit was being repaired, Tenant Protection would be more useful as a part of Rental Assistance, increasing that pot to 50%. The City’s Legal department was charged with drafting changes to the Ordinance to eliminate “Tenant Protection”, increase the Rental Assistance pot to 50%, and include language that assures funds for tenants forced to move housing due to rental ordinance compliance (https://cityoffrederickmd.gov/1588/Rental-Licensing-Ordinance). Housing Policy Work Plan: A matrix of the numerous possible goals for housing was presented to/discussed by committee members, with several highlighted as potential priorities, including homeless services/emergency shelter; incentivizing private sector investment; tax credits; tenant protections; tax incentives, funding mechanisms, community land trusts, realtor education efforts, etc. Overall, members concurred with the proposed housing plan, adding some items for priority attention, including some rent control/rent stabilization programs; affordable housing overlay zones; use of excess City land for affordable housing; supporting generational wealth which emerges from land ownership; shared residences; accessory dwelling units; and status of the MPDU program. The housing plan will be updated based on the committee’s discussion, after which the committee will bring the plan to a subsequent meeting, reach consensus, then move to a public hearing. Side Note: At the March meeting, committee members acknowledged a need to help residents build generational wealth — see discussion above. The last agenda item concerned the private sale of a townhouse on W. 7th Street — an unusual item for a policy making committee. During the discussion, members were confronted with a dilemma that pits generational wealth building against City regulations. As a March 7th Frederick News Post article describes the situation, the sale of a Habitat home, which the homeowner is in the process of selling, has been derailed (at least temporarily). This dilemma arises from a phrase embedded in the original sales documents of the property — from the City to Habitat: i.e., the phrase states that the property be maintained as an affordable dwelling “in perpetuity.”  This phrase effectively bars a market-rate sale of the home until/unless it has been removed by the City. (https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/economy_and_business/real_estate_and_development/city-of-frederick-asked-to-waive-restriction-hampering-womans-property-sale/article_5fa996a7-1d35-5bec-ae48-97e0c7da2a6c.html.) Hopefully, while considering the priority list for the Housing Policy Plan, committee members and City staff can identify and remedy conflicts such as these. City Land Use, Public Safety, and Community Development Committee (CLU) The CLU met for the 1st time on February 13th with a brief description of the Planning Department’s decade timetable for developing 8 small area plans (SAP) across the City. Although CRG applauds the proposed move forward after multi-years languishing in ‘it will come’ monologues, it agrees with the challenges posed by Councilwoman Kuzemchak who, paraphrasing, stated bluntly, LET’S MOVE THIS FORWARD! Plans are sorely needed but implementation thereafter is imperative. We’ll see, hope springs eternal, eh? Will residents have an ‘official’ role in the development of a SAP for their neighborhoods? CRG urged that role for our residents. Additionally, the hospital requested that a hospital, normally permitted through IST zoning, be allowed in a mixed use (MU) zoned area between Monocacy Boulevard and Route 15. Officials and attendees all agreed that hospitals are a necessity wherever needed and the request passed and was adopted by the Council. Not considered, however, were the MU requirements for parking, setbacks, and a host of other MU zoning details. Further, there was no discussion of noise associated with hospitals and ambulances and the additional traffic for MU residential areas.   A final point, raised appropriately and effectively by Heather Goddard of East Frederick Rising: If it’s OK for sorely needed hospitals to be included in the MU zoning classification, why not schools as well? Kudos to Ms. Goddard!                          City: Brickworks Update On February 18th, the City Planning Commission heard updates on Parcels 4 and 6 within the Brickworks property on East and South Street (https://cityoffrederick.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=48&clip_id=6118). Site 4 will have a major grocery store at the corner of Monocacy Boulevard and East Street with 3 other retail/restaurant buildings to the north of the store and along East and Brickworks Street, which enters the property from East Street. There will also be 2 restaurant pads placed off Monocacy Boulevard further to the east of the grocery store.   There is concern over required trees on-site and it appears that, if the developer cannot meet the requirement, they will have to place the trees on parcels 2 and 3 (where a proposed urban school might be located) or elsewhere in the City which currently has no space available for tree plantings (hard to believe, right?). This is a major concern, as the plan seems to call for a choice between a much-needed school and required trees. A suggested solution is working with several tree planting organizations to accept and plant the trees in City areas with little canopy or for example, recently annexed communities. Site 6 is east of Site 4 and will contain three 5-story multifamily buildings containing 340 units and a parking structure. CRG urges residents to follow these developments as this City gateway will define our southern City entrance and a first introduction to the Carroll Creek Linear Park and Historic District.   City: East Street Corridor/East Side Small Area Plan Many residents anticipate that with growth in Frederick City, Frederick County, and commercial/residential development along the East Street Corridor traffic will be continuously congested. Without completing transportation studies as a result of the Mobility Fee District Ordinance, there is no basis to judge the magnitude of congestion. While Monocacy Boulevard has been identified as a potential bypass, this corridor is littered with stop signs and traffic lights potentially impeding efficient traffic flow.   CRG wishes to work with East Frederick Rising and the City to create a workgroup focused on addressing East Side transportation issues and suggest mitigation measures. CRG further recommends expanding the East Street Corridor Small Area Plan into an East Side Small Area Plan to address the wider issues associated with growth and vehicle and pedestrian traffic on and through the multiple side streets and alleys in this sector. Additionally, this first effort would incorporate form-based code and perhaps serve as a template for the remaining 7 City Small Area Plans. CRG has begun discussions with City staff on how best to proceed. As East Street and Area planning moves forward by City officials and staff, CRG will identify opportunities for resident input into this lengthy and important process — make sure to provide comment! Contact R. Robey (click here to email him or write to roberthrobey@gmail.com) for additional information and discussion.   County: Critical Data Infrastructure Ordinance A revised Critical Data Infrastructure Ordinance (CDI) submitted by Council members Knapp and Young was brought forward in an informational presentation at the County Council meeting on February 25th. The bill, maintaining ‘by-right’ ownership and ability to construct data centers on land zoned GI or LI, was endorsed by 4 Council members, with McKay, Donald, and Carter dissenting. The latter group sought adoption of a floating zone for land proposed as a data center which would require County Council approval of any final site plan rather than solely Planning Commission review and approval.   Substantial Council member discussion was preceded and followed by public comment with data center representatives and large landowners voicing support for the ‘by-right’ option and 3x as many residents countering with convincing challenges to the Knapp/Young bill, particularly that siting of these major centers should be decided by elected officials and not by an appointed Planning Commission. Based on the Council meeting discussions on March 4th, the floating zone, anti-by-right bill will be brought forward in the Council in mid-May, thereby enabling consideration of the siting constraints advocated by McKay, Donald, and many residents.   Consistent with the recent recognition by Loudoun County officials that ‘by-right’ zoning has created major problems in data center development in northern Virginia, CRG STRONGLY supports deletion of the ‘by-right’ provision for data center siting. The decisions on the location of these 100’s of acre power- and water-hungry campuses should be regulated by our elected officials who should represent their constituents in major land use decisions for the County. CRG can’t believe we might replicate Loudoun County’s acknowledged major problems. Instead, we should learn from our neighbors and not repeat the errors of their ways! There will be a third reading of the Knapp/Young CDI Siting Ordinance bill on Tuesday, March 25 at 5:30 PM in Winchester Hall. This will be the LAST possibility for the public to speak out against "by-right" zoning for data centers. Please try to attend, and bring others with you if you can. (https://www.frederickcountymd.gov/6511/Agendas-and-Minutes)   Upcoming Meetings & Events County Housing Element and the Green Infrastructure Plans and Historic Preservation Plan Open Houses The presented content will be the same at each of the three meetings. Open House 1: Thursday, March 13, 2025 from 6–8 PM — Thurmont Regional Library Community Room (TRL) 76 E. Moser Road, Thurmont, MD 21788 Open House 2: Wednesday, March 26, 2025 from 6–8 PM — Middletown Branch Library Meeting Room B 31 E. Green Street, Middletown, MD 21769 Open House 3: Monday, April 7, 2025 from 6–8 PM — Urbana Regional Library Anthony M. Natelli Community Room 9020 Amelung Street, Frederick, MD 21704 City Land Use, Public Safety, and Community Development Committee meeting, March 13, 2025, 1 PM, City Hall MDE Israel Creek Water Withdrawal Permit Request, March 18, 2 PM, Walkersville Town Hall, 21 W. Frederick Street, Walkersville. Open meeting on turf farm request for withdrawing >500,000 gallons/day during summer drought period.   County Council, Winchester Hall, March 25, 5:30 PM: Critical Data Infrastructure hearing. Third reading of the Knapp/Young CDI Siting Ordinance bill. IMPORTANT TO ATTEND. One Waverley Night: Climate Action Frederick Pop-Up Event March 26, 2025, 5:30–7:30 PM, Waverley Elementary School Learn about climate action in Frederick County — and how you can be a part of it. Help Form a Community Climate Action Plan! March 29, 2025, 1–2:30 PM, Walkersville Library, Darrell L. Batson Community Room Join in the development of a Community-Wide Climate and Energy Action Plan to help shape a sustainable future. Can't attend but would like to weigh in? Fill out the survey here!

__________________ See the CRG blog at: responsiblegrowthfrederick.com Contributors: P. Gallagher, R. Robey, M. Rosensweig, K. Sellner, J. Wagner CRG is a grassroots coalition of Frederick residents who prioritize responsible growth, expanding infrastructure, and a functional natural environment. We advocate for development that accommodates projected population increases while fostering a strong and diverse community fabric and increasing economic opportunities. Our comprehensive approach emphasizes public safety, traffic mitigation, increasing school capacity, and housing for all members of our community. Many Frederick residents want to know — but cannot find — information about how to participate in discussions of important local issues. The City and County generally hold meetings from 3–10 p.m., making it impossible for most of us to attend meetings or weigh in on issues of interest. Our mission with this monthly newsletter is to highlight City and County activities so you can learn more and, with your limited time, weigh in on areas of growth and development, City and County policies, and other local activities. Occasionally, opinions or longer stories will be offered by knowledgeable experts/readers. We welcome suggestions for articles focused on specific topics. Contact Kevin Sellner (kgsellner@gmail.com), Marge Rosensweig (marjorierosensweig@gmail.com), or Steve Jakubczyk (jakubczyksteven@gmail.com) for consideration of your issue. We're on Instagram... follow us! Check out our Facebook page!

Frederick City and County News of Interest VOL. 4, NO. 2 | FEBRUARY 8, 2025

 VOL. 4, NO. 2  |  FEBRUARY 8, 2025

Frederick City and County News of Interest

Please join our monthly email list by clicking here.
Learn more about CRG at the bottom of this newsletter.

For quick access, click on a title here and jump to that article, below: City Streetscape Study Affordable Housing MPRP Update County Data Center Update Upcoming Meetings and Events ______________ City Streetscape Study On January 16, the Downtown Frederick Partnership informed the City Council that they were partnering with Montgomery County (MoCo) in the receipt of a $500,000 grant to expand on the initial Streetscape plan submitted in 2021.The (then) Board of Aldermen advised the Partnership at the 2021 meeting that additional information was needed. In response, MoCo and the Partnership secured additional funding to further study parking, utilities, and transportation impact. CRG applauds the Partnership’s initiative but encourages the City and Partnership to not only retrofit Market Street parking slots, tree canopy, and sidewalk width from Carroll Creek through 7th Street, but develop an overall Master Plan of the work to be done in various phases. A first step would repair the storm water drainage system to prevent flooding of streets in the downtown area as documented by the Army Corps of Engineers several years ago. The second step should repair or replace the deteriorating Church Street Parking Garage to relieve reduced parking further north on N. Market Street as it is revitalized as part of the revised project. After aggressively enforcing the Vacant Property Ordinance to finally address the blight caused by recalcitrant landlords, the third step would be to stimulate new businesses and new owners in N. Market’s 3rd–7th Street stretch, particularly focusing on the 300 block of N. Market. This will provide an unbroken chain of commercial opportunities from the Creek to the 7th Street Fountain. The Master Plan should conclude with a summary and timetable for meeting the study’s long-term goal of a cohesive and progressive N. Market Street for residents and visitors. CRG strongly advocated this strategy in 2021 and does so again!   Affordable Housing City of Frederick: Madison on N. Market CRG is excited to see the Madison on N. Market project move forward. It will provide 60 affordable housing 1–3-bedroom rental units in the convenient “Uptown Frederick” location, as well as a non-residential building for a Head Start program. In the works for several years, this is a large step forward for providing housing for individuals or families earning 30–60% Annual Median Income. Go to https://www.hacfrederick.org/development/ for details. While Madison on Market holds out hope for 60 families, three apartment communities in Uptown Frederick, closest to Madison on N. Market (Upper East/Canterbury Station, The Bottling Plant, and East of Market), offer no rental units that would be affordable for householders in 9 of the 10 most common occupations in the County (see discussion below), nor any units priced at the County’s median charged  rental (i.e., $1,777/month). Frederick County and City: Some But Not Enough At a January 23 seminar presented by the Frederick County Department of Housing as one of a series of community sessions on affordable housing revealed, a large portion of residents county-wide are, essentially, locked out of the housing market. The seminar focused on the nature of affordable housing, who needs it, what the gaps are, and how these gaps can be addressed through a strategic plan involving community stakeholders in the process. Through a contract with TPMA, an Indianapolis-based consulting firm that brings “decades of practical experiences…” to help communities “develop actional solutions…” to seeming intractable issues — such as affordable housing, the County’s 2016 housing needs assessment will be updated and a strategic plan developed to help close the gaps found. Key to TPMA’s process is a principle that such a plan will be unique to the current and anticipated status of affordable housing in Frederick County and will not be a “one size fits all” document. To begin, affordable housing is defined as housing that does not consume more than 30% of income, with the total including rent/mortgage, utilities, insurance, repairs, etc. Individuals and families are considered “cost burdened” if more than that 30% is required to secure and maintain a safe and healthy domicile. Frederick County and City data expose an existing and growing gap between income and housing affordability in Frederick County.  While housing prices have increased substantially in the past five years (median sales prices rose by 69% in the County and 71% in the City), median income for homeowners rose by 21% and renter income by 23%. As of 2023, the median household income in the County was $114,360, with that of owner-occupied households at $135,851, and renter-occupied households at $64,619. By 2023, the median price of a house was $499,990, and the median charged monthly rent $1,777. Using these data, it is estimated that 26% of Frederick County households are cost burdened. Of these, 19% are owner-occupied households, as are 47% of renter-occupied households. Moreover 7% of owner-occupied households spend 50% or more of their income on housing while 23% of renters (almost 1 in 4) do so as well. A deeper dive into the data indicate that workers in 9 of the 10 most common occupations in Frederick County earn less than the AMI (Annual Median Income) with the housing affordable threshold at $689/month for cashiers and $1,127/month for construction laborers. The median household income of the tenth category of earners, general and operations managers, is $109,156, the only category above the AMI. The chart below, from the TPMA presentation, is a snapshot of families in need of affordable housing. Here are some hypothetical scenarios facing these households: A schoolteacher at step 10 with one child earning $65,629 has an affordability threshold of $1,647/month. Yet only 4% of 2+ bedroom dwellings are in their price range. The combined income of a cashier and customer service representative with no children is $69,244. Their affordability threshold is $1,731/month. Twenty-two percent of the rentals and 5% of homes are in their price range. A sheriff with a stay-at-home spouse and two children earns $70,000. Her/his affordability threshold is $1,751/month. Twelve percent of two-bedroom rentals, 1% of three-bedroom rentals, and 6% of homes are available for them. And, finally, a senior citizen with a social security income of $23,000 would find there are 0 rentals and 1 home for sale available to her/him with a household affordability threshold of $593/month. An interesting feature of the session was the opportunity for attendee (including virtual attendees) input via online quick surveys with results available for viewing and discussion immediately. These surveys engaged the audience and helped highlight what the community knows and understands about affordable housing and what residents think might help to address the problems. Hopefully future sessions will include the same or similar feedback options. TPMA’s plan and timeline include several opportunities for community input. Residents are invited to participate as the process goes forward. Presenters emphasized the importance of the Community workshops and Community Survey and urged residents to assist in publicizing the survey when it is available. From TPMA's presentation: We encourage readers who want to know more to tune in to the presentation available on the Frederick County website at https://frederick.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=10&clip_id=10150 or at TPMA.com, then click Webinars. MPRP Update The County Executive has officially challenged construction of the MPRP transmission line passing through the County, joining multiple other organizations and governmental bodies in opposing construction of the proposed power project intended to deliver power from southern Pennsylvania through Baltimore, Carroll, and Frederick Counties. The County Council approved the resolution this past Tuesday, February 4. The opposition has proposed multiple bills in the just-convened state legislature, as we await deliberations at the Public Service Commission where the next decision (to seek a Certificate of Public convenience and Necessity — CPCN) will be vetted. Learn more at StopMPRP.org. County Data Center Update The County Council continues its discussion of revisions to the Critical Data Infrastructure Ordinance that will regulate siting constraints on future centers proposed for construction and operations in the County. The Council will now have sole responsibilities to propose ordinance content because the County Executive (CE) has withdrawn text for both the Data Center Workgroup’s recommendation for a data center floating zone and the siting legislation. CRG is surprised at these CE decisions — data centers are perhaps one of the most critical issues for the County's future economy, power demand, water allocation and treatment, and runoff impacts for our treasured environment. A floating zone and other requirements to protect the environment are imperative. Council member McKay has written amendments to the CE's bill to include a floating zone so data centers would not be a "by right" development in certain zoning districts but instead would need to be approved by a vote of the County Council (our elected officials), rather than receiving final approval at the Planning Commission level. However — rather than Council member McKay's amendments, a revised bill that does not include a floating zone and appears less protective of County water and infrastructure, will be introduced by Council members Knapp and Young on Tuesday at the scheduled Council Workshop. CRG urges County residents to attend Tuesday's meeting (see information below), or send in your comments, to insist on strong requirements for the siting, construction and operations of the data center industry in Frederick County.   Upcoming Meetings & Events City Planning Commission, City Hall, February 10, 6 PM — Church institutional zoning change for on-site affordable housing County Council Workshop, Winchester Hall,  Tuesday, February 13, 5:30 PM — consideration of proposed Critical Digital Infrastructure revised bill regarding data centers. Attend or send comments via email on the Council’s public portal, FrederickCountyMD.gov/CouncilMeetings City Land Use, Public Safety and Community Development Committee, City Hall, February 13, 1 PM — City Small Area Plans City Council Meeting on Districts (mid-February, dates TBD) — Defining district boundaries (important for future small area plans and NAC boundaries). Mobilize Frederick 3rd Annual Climate Summit at Hood, February 28–March 1, 2025 (https://www.mobilizefrederick.org/summit-2025-overview)

__________________ See the CRG blog at: responsiblegrowthfrederick.com Contributors: P. Gallagher, S. Jakubczyk, M. Rosensweig, K. Sellner CRG is a grassroots coalition of Frederick residents who prioritize responsible growth, expanding infrastructure, and a functional natural environment. We advocate for development that accommodates projected population increases while fostering a strong and diverse community fabric and increasing economic opportunities. Our comprehensive approach emphasizes public safety, traffic mitigation, increasing school capacity, and housing for all members of our community. Many Frederick residents want to know — but cannot find — information about how to participate in discussions of important local issues. The City and County generally hold meetings from 3–10 p.m., making it impossible for most of us to attend meetings or weigh in on issues of interest. Our mission with this monthly newsletter is to highlight City and County activities so you can learn more and, with your limited time, weigh in on areas of growth and development, City and County policies, and other local activities. Occasionally, opinions or longer stories will be offered by knowledgeable experts/readers. We welcome suggestions for articles focused on specific topics. Contact Kevin Sellner (kgsellner@gmail.com), Marge Rosensweig (marjorierosensweig@gmail.com), or Steve Jakubczyk (jakubczyksteven@gmail.com) for consideration of your issue. We're on Instagram... follow us! Check out our Facebook page! Reply to the email authors