Frederick City and County News of Interest VOL. 4, NO. 1 | JANUARY 6, 2025

 

VOL. 4, NO. 1  |  JANUARY 6, 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: A New Look for City Governance in 2025 City: Winchester Update County: Data Center Update / Water County: Water Resources Element Report Upcoming Meetings & Events ______________ City: A New Look for City Governance in 2025 Happy New Year to all! Looking forward to 2025, we here at CRG are reflecting on the progress made during 2024 as well as the opportunities and challenges for the coming year. Certainly, a major challenge — for CRG and all City residents — is how to assess and respond to the changes in City government resulting from approval of the recommended Charter Amendments which includes the separation of local government into distinct executive and legislative branches. The Mayor will lead and guide the former and an expanded City Council the latter. As an aside, we note with pride that community residents, comprising the majority of the ad hoc Charter Review committee members, were instrumental in formulating the adopted recommendations which will guide us all through the 21st century. Although we are not in the business of endorsing candidates, we certainly hope the elected mayor and 7 council members (5 district and 2 at–large) are as invested as we are in “responsible growth” — our guiding principle. To that end, we highlight here our guiding vision, and pose questions for our readers and others to ask the candidates so that you can determine who, from your perspective, is most closely aligned with your vision for the City’s growth and development. First, the vision as we state on our blog: 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. Based on that vision, we will ask (and ask you to do so, as well) each candidate to tell City residents: What are the most important considerations to assure adequate affordable housing in the City? Which comes first — growth or infrastructure to accommodate said growth? If a candidate’s response focuses on growth first, ask how the City will deal with the inevitable traffic, school, and water/sewer problems. The City continues to annex properties outside the current City boundary, with neither long-range assessments of long-term cost recovery nor school construction requirements. How does the candidate stand on the short-term increase in property tax revenue vs. long-term costs that exceed the short-term tax gains as well as school construction that is not required of the developer? What steps can the City take to mitigate flooding, damage to older homes, rental properties, and health issues arising in individuals or families with limited incomes from water damage? How can the County control the inevitable data center development/operations and the impact on the community’s electricity, water, neighbors’ properties and wells, local streams, etc.? How will you and other council members work with the County to advance much-needed school construction in light of significant state budget deficits that will affect the Maryland Blueprint? How can you assure that new development in the historic district honors its unique character? During the campaign, which will culminate in a September 2025 primary and a November general (City) election, CRG plans to hold informal candidate forums as often as possible with as many candidates interested in participating. We will also attend forums sponsored by other organizations and by the candidates themselves to ask these, and other, questions to more clearly understand where the candidates stand on the issues. We urge you to do the same. A final plea. One of the most critical open issues is the need for serious and qualified candidates to step forward and run for the 8 elected offices (mayor and 7 council members). With districting now in place (pending only boundary details), no longer will one section of the City be the dominant voice at the table. For true accountability and representation, the primary ballot should reflect several candidates for City Council from each district, with the primary qualification being residence in the district a candidate wishes to represent! The recent Charter revisions require an “all in” approach by City residents. Without a spirited commitment in each district, there is a risk of non- or under-representation by an unopposed candidate who doesn't reflect the overall values and needs of the majority of the district’s community. Information on how to register, along with additional details, can be found on the City website or by contacting the City clerk, Phyliss Hane (click for her email address).   City: Winchester Update As mentioned in a recent Frederick News Post article, on December 12, 2024 the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) approved a motion by Commissioner Anne Hart that the Winchester site as a whole (including the on-site house and stable/garage) is Historically Contributing. This was a very favorable turn of events and again, as in the neighbor-led opposition to construction of a Hood NCAA baseball field in the Max Kehne Memorial Park, neighborhood residents acting together can challenge and alter proposed City developments that exclude resident opinions and interests!   For the Winchester site, it’s looking good that both the house and the stable/garage on the site will be preserved and the applicant’s demolition request denied. However, the Commission’s discussion, and their formal vote on the developer’s demolition request, still must take place. These proceedings are scheduled for this Thursday, January 9, 2025 at the 6 PM HPC Hearing at City Hall. Despite the positive developments from December 12, there may yet be surprises, and the local community is taking nothing for granted. Verbal comments at the January 9 hearing, as well as written comments in advance to City staff (for forwarding on to the Commission), are very welcome. Please contact Jim Wagner (click for his email address) or 301-682-4836 for more information. Thank you for your continued engagement and help to save this site and its contribution to City character. And on that point regarding City character: We suggest you check out a Letter to the Editor (LTE) in the Frederick News Post (FNP) written in response to a recent newspaper Board of Contributors column challenging the CRG position regarding the trend towards “contemporary” architecture in the Historic District (https://www.fredericknewspost.com/opinion/columns/group-will-advocate-for-protecting-established-identity/article_3002a8ff-755d-5eb9-a962-967c28562e63.html). At CRG, we firmly believe in smart, measured growth and development but, as was asserted by two of our members in the letter, it is incumbent on the City and its planners to cherish (as we do) and preserve the historical context and expression of our downtown by following City documents (the Frederick Towne Historic District Design Guidelines and the 2020 Comprehensive Plan) as well as guidance from national experts and organizations.  County: Data Center Update / Water In a surprise decision for everyone involved in development of the Eastalco site near Adamstown, Quantum Loophole (QL) will no longer be leading preparation of the property for future data center construction and operations (https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/continuing_coverage/quantum_loophole/updated-quantum-loophole-removed-as-manager-developer-of-its-data-center-projects/article_27636b9e-846e-5f1d-9ed1-a3fe4b8bea83.html). The decision has resolved differences between QL’s activities on the site and those expected from QL’s major financial backer TPG (a global asset manager). As a result, QL is withdrawing from its primary management role for the property. Water issues must be dealt with right away. Consequences of this dramatic change are unknown at this time, but an important consideration will be the commitment QL made to building water recycling infrastructure to supply future cooling water for prospective Eastalco data centers, which must remain a priority — there is insufficient water, otherwise, for center operations. This must be resolved quickly, as the County Planning Commission has accepted the proposed site plan for two data center projects at the Eastalco property near Adamstown. The projects — owned by Rowan Digital Infrastructure — are called Bauxite II and III, and include 7 data center buildings on the property. The potable water usage Rowan has proposed for its data centers alone is the maximum allowed for the entire Eastalco property, implying that any future center applications will require identification of other sources, such as the QL proposal for the non-potable water recycling infrastructure noted above. CRG joins the Sugarloaf Alliance and the Fellowship of Scientists and Engineers to encourage the County Executive to quickly revise the County’s Critical Data Infrastructure ordinance (CDI) so that the now-accepted 11 data center buildings (the 7 above plus 4 for the Align computing campus) at the Eastalco site will be bound by the more comprehensive requirements proposed by the County’s Data Center Workgroup and multiple other organizations. Otherwise, inadequate protections for County residents, water supplies, adjacent neighbors, and the area’s environment will prevail if those properties permitted under weak regulations are ‘grandfathered’ to only follow the regulations under which they were permitted, and not the more rigorous requirements likely needed, as we learn more about data center operation impacts that will be identified in future years. See Events list below for upcoming presentations and hearings on the County's Critical Data Infrastructure Ordinance. County: Water Resources Element Report In an additional County project relevant to data centers, County staff have also drafted a state-mandated Water Resources Element report, a comprehensive summary of water usage now and into the future for the County. Unfortunately, the report has largely ignored water demand by data centers. On December 17, at least 3 Council members and 4–5 residents asked County staff multiple questions about likely underestimates of water demand by centers on the Eastalco site and potentially elsewhere in the County where the IWW (Investing in Workers & Workplaces advisory group) has identified other possible areas for potential center development and operations. CRG congratulates County Council members focusing on future water demand and possible County intervention to revise the CDI ordinance by this water-thirsty industry. CRG hopes Council commitment expands well beyond a minority of 3 members to a unanimous agreement on specific water use requirements that data centers must meet to begin operations in the County. Upcoming Meetings & Events County Council, January 7, 2025, Winchester Hall, 7 PM — Information/presentation for revised Critical Data Infrastructure ordinance, Water Resources Element hearing (https://www.frederickcountymd.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/15600) City Historic Preservation Commission, January 9, 2025, City Hall, 6 PM — Demolition of contributing historical house and barn/stable at 127 E. 6th Street, Frederick. Agenda here: https://www.cityoffrederickmd.gov/920/City-Archived-Meetings County Council, January 28, 2025, Winchester Hall, 7 PM — Critical Data Infrastructure ordinance hearing Mobilize Frederick 3rd Annual Climate Summit, February 28–March 1, 2025, Hood College (https://www.mobilizefrederick.org/summit-2025-overview)

__________________ See the CRG blog at: responsiblegrowthfrederick.com Contributors: P. Gallagher, S. Jakubczyk, 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. 3, NO. 12 | DECEMBER 11, 2024

 

VOL. 3, NO. 12  |  DECEMBER 11, 2024 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: Editorial: Resident Advocacy Works! City: Hillcrest Library & Brickworks City: A Hood Baseball Field on the City Max Kehne Park City: Community Outreach Meeting Summary City: Hotel and Conference Center Moving Forward City: Winchester Property/E. 6th Street Update City: Districts County: Data Center Update — Is the County Stepping Up? County: MPRP Transmission Line Update City-County Joint Session Upcoming Meetings and Events ______________ 1. EDITORIAL Resident Advocacy Works! CRG has always supported grassroots advocacy throughout the City and the County through our own initiatives and those of others. We especially want to call out recent efforts to make a positive change and to encourage caring and concerned residents to keep up the good work!   The articles below on the Hillcrest Library, Brickworks and Max Kehne Park are excellent examples of where and how resident involvement has had a significant impact. In addition, support of a Community Center at Westside Regional Park, the public outcry against re-establishing a downtown “after hours” BYOB on North Market Street, and County-wide efforts to fight the intrusive and unnecessary high-voltage transmission lines, and review of the planning guidelines for Data Centers are especially admirable.   One critical factor in these united “neighbors helping neighbors” actions is that in most cases the Neighborhood Advisory Councils (NACs) are no longer “invited in” to discussions about projects and programs that affect their communities. Thus, residents’ concerns are not given the City’s consideration at a point at which they (the residents) can help shape the discussions/outcomes. For example, NAC 11, which used to meet monthly — at which time residents (and area business owners) could weigh in at an early stage on proposed development activities — now meets only 4–5 times year. The result? A lack of continuity and loss of NAC 11’s history of effective vocal advocacy by and for its residents. Hence it becomes even more critical for people to stand up and make their voices heard however possible. CRG is proud to have initiated and partnered with efforts throughout the City ensure residents’ advocacy and will continue to do so. ______________ 2. City: Hillcrest Library & Brickworks On December 5, the City Council zoned the Hillcrest property in west Frederick as institutional (https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/economy_and_business/real_estate_and_development/city-council-rezones-park-property-for-library-site/article_d3c57483-5572-52cc-9b6c-82189c40498b.html), paving the way for the City Council to agree to a Memorandum of Understanding with the County to build the Hillcrest Library. This action was long overdue and needed. The Brickworks property has been further characterized in the November 12 City Planning Commission meeting: several modifications proposed by Greenberg-Gibbons for trees on the Brickworks property include, unfortunately, removal of 85 specimen trees to accommodate contaminant mitigation on the property and 140 new trees to be added by the developer; and 6 lots for the property with 3 outparcels (under power lines) with the latter explored for shared use paths to the MARC train station and Monocacy Blvd. Lot 4 has been described as a commercial 79,000 sq ft lot with 2 pads for restaurants and a grocery store, with a pocket park and surface parking screened from East Street. Lot 6 is proposed for vertical mixed use with 9,000 sq ft of commercial property (probably a restaurant) and 4–story multi-family buildings with 340 units. Wormald is proposing purchase of Lot 1, a 7–acre lot for 99 4–story townhomes with rear-loaded garages, and each townhome featuring varied designs and rooftop decks. Parkland in the lot will total 1.5 acres as a passive recreation area, with 3 acres total in the entire east side of the Brickworks property. A storm water pond is necessary for stormwater management. Contaminants have been identified on this lot so the eventual owner will submit an application to MDE’s Voluntary Cleanup Program for acceptance of lot mitigation through an acceptable Response Action Plan to reduce lot pollutants. Two separate conversations highlighted the possibility for an urban school on Lots 2 and 3. CRG will follow FCPS queries to the U.S. EPA on the agency’s recommendations for treatment of the lot and will rigorously pursue all avenues to assist Greenberg-Gibbons and the Frederick County Public Schools to reach an agreement to plan an urban school on-site! 3. City: A Hood Baseball Field on the City Max Kehne Park Hood College was proposing a college baseball field at Max Kehne Park to the dismay of many local residents. The college had approached the mayor’s office for an NCAA-defined baseball field for future college games, independent of the Planning Department, Parks and Recreation, and the City’s normal channels for redevelopment. Five meetings were scheduled, the second on November 12 at Hood College. Many local residents attended and the majority suggested that neither the City nor Hood had notified them of this possible change in land use AFTER discussions had been held between Hood and the mayor’s office. Hood and residents believed there are other possible locations to be examined, as noise, safety, lights, parking, and mandatory Hood use remained issues. All hope Hood secures a baseball field, but due to the substantial resident pushback, Hood has withdrawn its interest in the park. Congratulations to local residents for convincing the college of their concerns, and to Hood responsibly stepping back from its proposal! Residents can be heard, HOORAY! This case suggests the mayor’s office should abstain from bypassing normal development procedures, as well as strongly encouraging all future entreaties from individuals, groups, or organizations to ensure immediate outreach to residents for any such request. 4. City: Community Outreach Meeting Summary A Wawa gas station is proposed at Mill Pond Road and Monocacy Boulevard that would require a change in conditional use and will therefore go before the City Zoning Board of Appeals. Apartments are located behind the proposed site and single family homes in front and across Monocacy Boulevard. Residents of the area are concerned with safety since it will be open 24/7, as well as apprehensive about substantial lighting, noise, and health problems associated with gas station operations. 5. City: Hotel and Conference Center Moving Forward At its November 20 public hearing, the City Council took two steps to move forward the long-planned Marriott Hotel and Conference Center: Approval of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for a mitigation plan to preserve the historic elements of the site; and approval of a reimbursement letter with Plamondon Hospitality Partners (PHP) to formalize the process for reimbursement of (up to) $1 million for pre-development activities. The hotel/conference center site contains several historic buildings, as has been discussed at prior City workshops and hearings over the past several years. Accordingly, the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and Maryland Historic Trust (MHT) have determined that the project will have an adverse effect on archaeological properties and have resolved the adverse effects of this undertaking through the execution of a legally binding Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between DHCD, MHT, and the City, with the City’s selected developer, PHP, as an invited signatory. The Development Team will use this Treatment Plan to secure professional services to complete the data recovery effort and will coordinate review and approval of the final Treatment Plan (which will identify the personnel, schedule, and selected methods for implementing the work) with MHT prior to implementation. This link to Exhibit B fully describes the background and history of the Birely Tannery: https://cityoffrederick.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=15&clip_id=6088&meta_id=172838. Council members acknowledged that the mitigation plan is suitable overall (and voted 4–0 in favor) although some concern was raised that the contribution of the original (enslaved) labor would not be recognized; and Council members subsequently requested greater on-site recognition of the Birely Tannery in site development. As for the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) grant for the Strategic Demolition Fund approved in August 2024, the approved (again 4–0 in favor) letter allows the City to disburse the grant funds and specifies the way the City will reimburse requests, what specific activities can be reimbursed, etc. There is no “clawback” provision in the grant, thus the presumption is the funds are to be used for all types of pre-development activities. A question was raised regarding the time frame for vendor reimbursement as smaller companies cannot wait months to be compensated for work performed. City staff advised that a 10-day turnaround is anticipated, that the developer pays vendors for their performance, and submits an invoice to and is subsequently reimbursed by the City through the grant. Council members agreed that the hotel/conference center is a “gigantic project” and the City cannot make mistakes. They applauded the details incorporated in the agreement and the partnership with the State. 6. City: Winchester Property/E. 6th Street Update Two recent articles in the Frederick News Post, as well as Facebook postings, have helped to present the community’s case for preservation of the entire homestead and gardens of 19th century Frederick luminary, B.F. Winchester on E. 6th Street. However, as alluded to in the November CRG Newsletter, City staff’s recommendation of “noncontributing” for the stable/garage (despite compelling evidence to the contrary presented to them in a recent Community Statement) threatens to allow development to proceed. On Thursday, December 12, at the 6:00 PM hearing, the Historic Preservation Commission is scheduled to vote “contributing” or “noncontributing” regarding both the house and the stable/garage on the property. Verbal comments at the Hearing, as well as written comments in advance of it to City staff (for forwarding on to the Commission) are encouraged. Please contact Jim Wagner at your.james.wagner@gmail.com, 301-682-4836, for more information. Thanks for your continued engagement and help to save this site! 7. City: Districts First drafts of possible City Council districts were presented to the City Council on December 3. A consultant was hired by the City to draw five district boundaries within the City, for purposes of electing City Council members that each represent a district, as recommended by the Charter Review Committee and adopted by the City Council in the last month. Two maps of potential council districts raised considerable discussion by City Council members. Go to https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/politics_and_government/elections/city-council-expects-to-vote-on-districts-in-february/article_257f484e-8872-55be-b5db-9e882923592b.html to review the session discussion and early options. The City is in the process of gathering feedback on these maps between now and the middle of January. There is a webpage on the City homepage, where information will be kept updated and where residents can respond to a survey about the maps. The webpage can be found here: https://cityoffrederickmd.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=7628. A final vote on district distributions will likely occur February 6, 2025. Top image is Map 1 / Bottom image is Map 2 Map 1 Map 2

8.County: Data Center Update — Is the County Stepping Up? The County seems to be pushing the new data center corporations to meet more stringent siting and operations requirements. The County’s Data Center Workgroup and multiple external organizations have provided comprehensive revisions to the County’s CDI ordinance to ensure protection of residents’ health and the environment surrounding the Eastalco center site. And, on Tuesday, November 19, the County Council received revised requirements for the new County corporations, to the dismay and objections of several corporations. The County’s position included minimizing noise generation from the entire site, not just the individual corporation site, and storage of only 1100 gallons of fuel for center backup generators (a consultant for the property indicated that the centers would require 60,000 gallons of diesel fuel on-site). CRG is impressed, as protection for residents must be THE priority. Aligned, one of the data center occupants for the Quantum Loophole data center campus, has submitted a permit request to the MD Department of the Environment to allow 170 diesel-powered generators for their four data center buildings at the Eastalco site. Governor Moore relaxed the requirements for decisions on use of diesel generators last year, so CRG and multiple other concerned residents and organizations anxiously await the department’s decision as the emissions from the generators counter the state’s stated greenhouse gas emission deadlines [maximums?] for 2030 and beyond. Additionally, storage of the 60,000 gallons of diesel fuel at the campus poses serious hazard risks for local groundwater contamination and streams in the area. Go to https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/continuing_coverage/quantum_loophole/aligned-applies-to-state-environment-department-for-permit-to-build-generators/article_23c0cbf4-99cb-53e0-8601-812edea108cf.html for more details. 9. County: MPRP Transmission Line Update The Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project (MPRP), a 70-mile-long transmission line proposed to be built through Baltimore, Carroll, and Frederick Counties, was the subject of three public meetings November 12 (in Baltimore Co.), November 13 (in Carroll Co.), and November 14 (in Frederick Co.). The public presentations by the contractor, a New Jersey-based company PSEG (Public Service Enterprise Group), are required by the MD Public Service Commission (PSC) before PSEG may apply for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN). The CPCN allows the company to build the transmission line but is not automatic; the PSC may choose to accept or reject PSEG’s application to build. PSEG plans to submit an application to the PSC late this month or in early January.   Several activities are in place to oppose the transmission lines: Legislation for the 2025 legislative session Senator Karen Lewis Young is developing legislation to initiate a Datacenter Study. Participants would principally be drawn from state agencies. An unbiased economic evaluation of the costs and benefits of data centers is needed. Several Frederick-based power engineers are advising Senator Young on possible legislation to require utilities that operate in MD to produce Integrated Resource Plans (IRPs — long-term plans examining utilities’ energy demand and supply and identifying risks that could prevent them from best serving their ratepayers with low-cost and reliable energy, as is done in other states, such as VA). Also, other Maryland legislators plan to introduce legislation in the 2025 session addressing both transmission lines and data centers. Interveners A number of organizations and individuals will be filing to act as “interveners” during the PSC hearings on the MPRP transmission lines after PSEG submits their application. To learn more about becoming an intervener, go to https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_GFmBcTKTRdu5GcMyr2cftw#/registration. Volunteers A variety of actions are being taken by several organizations that have formed the “Tri-County Coalition,” made up of residents from the three affected counties. If you’re interested in lending a hand, please write to smartergrowthfc@gmail.com. Sending comments to the PSC The PSC will decide whether the MPRP will be built. Any resident may write to the PSC to oppose the transmission line. You may submit your comments to this email address, which is dedicated to comments on the MPRP: piedmontcomments.psc@maryland.gov.   For more information on the MPRP, visit www.StopMRPR.com.   How data centers and transmission lines are directly related: In 2023, PJM (the regional transmission organization for the area) determined that MD had sufficient power into 2030. However, after studying the effect of data centers — primarily in VA — PJM signaled that there were now going to be massive power deficiencies requiring $5Billion investment.  PJM says its call for more power is for reliability, but the system has been reliable prior to data centers, and could continue to be so without them. PJM recently redrew the MPRP design to bypass the only substation in MD (Doubs).  Therefore, power will travel directly from PA to VA, providing no power to MD. No one in MD, including Governor Moore, wants the MPRP.  In fact, Moore said the line is of no benefit to Marylanders (see https://www.foxbaltimore.com/news/local/state-lawmakers-encouraged-by-governor-moore-in-transmission-line-fight). The two data centers on the QL site both wrote to the PSC that they did not need any power from the MPRP. Therefore, it is clear that the power is intended for VA data centers. PSEG's threats — that without the MPRP line, there will be blackouts and brownouts — is not true. If the line is denied by the PSC, PJM may bring power from Ohio and WV for the VA data centers. MPRP would improve PSEG's bottom line as the company owns 50% of Peach Bottom Nuclear which will supply the line. PSEG is guaranteed full repayment for building the line plus a guaranteed profit per right of investment. PSEG will charge for power transmitted on this line for the 40 years it will operate.   Specific to the third bullet above, in a very recent development (https://foxbaltimore.com/news/local/possible-maryland-power-project-reroute-would-benefit-virginia-data-centers-a-proposed-change-to-the-maryland-piedmont-reliability-project-may-connect-the-power-line-development), PJM has removed the MPRP proposed connection to the Doubs Substation near the Eastalco site, thereby indicating that the MPRP transmission line is solely for powering northern Virginia data centers with NO BENEFIT for Maryland data centers nor residents. So why would any MD official not oppose this line’s construction and costs to Maryand residents?   10. City-County Joint Session A joint meeting of the Frederick City and County Councils was held on November 20 at City Hall. Ostensibly convened for highlighting common concerns and possible approaches to addressing mutual problems like housing and schools, the primary topics were only minimally discussed, perhaps in 2–3 sentences. CRG strongly encourages both City and County representatives to prepare detailed summaries of each government’s approach to common problems to bring to each quarterly meeting and through those details perhaps identify procedures to move each government forward on ways to jointly alleviate the identified problem(s). Working together should generate action by the other government, certainly a new approach for the next decade. 11. Upcoming Meetings and Events   County Planning Commission, December 11, Winchester Hall, 9:30 AM: Rowan’s Bauxite Data Center site plan decisions   City Historic Preservation Commission, December 12, City Hall, 6 PM: Odd Fellows property Level I and demolition at 127 E. 6th Street.   Stop MPRP documentary, Unyielding Ground, December 14, 1–4 PM, Black Locust Hops Farm Brewery, 21305 Heathcote Road, Freeland, MD.   County Budget Town Halls District 2 — Monday, January 13, 7pm, Twin Ridge Elementary School cafeteria, Mount Airy District 4 — Wednesday, January 22, 7pm, Oakdale Middle School cafeteria, New Market District 5 — Saturday, January 25, 1pm, Walkersville Middle School cafeteria, Walkersville District 3 — Monday, January 27, 7pm, Waverley Elementary School cafeteria, Frederick District 1 — Thursday, January 30, 7pm, Middletown Library community room (will be streamed live) _________________ See the CRG blog at: responsiblegrowthfrederick.com Contributors: P. Gallagher, S. Jakubczyk, E. Law, 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.

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Frederick City and County News of Interest VOL. 3, NO. 11 | NOVEMBER 4, 2024

 

VOL. 3, NO. 11  |  NOVEMBER 4, 2024 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: Planning Commission Opening City: Community Outreach — Brickworks & Lucas Village City: Temporary Housing Possibility City: Election Districts City: Update on the Winchester Property City: More City Housing — Yes! More Traffic — Beware! City: Vacant Property Ordinance Status City: Rental Licensing Ordinance — Use of Collected Funds City: FREE organics/food waste pickup County: MPRP Transmission Line ______________ City: Planning Commission Opening There is an immediate opening for a new member (maybe a second, soon) on the City’s Planning Commission (PC). The PC reviews development applications and provides conditions and recommendations on development projects proposed within the City. In CRG’s opinion, to date the PC has been the most responsive part of the City administration to residents’ input. Members are the most thoroughly prepared of any of the City’s commissions, boards, or its elected officials, so if you want to make a lasting impact on our future, consider applying for this critically important representative group of focused volunteers! Go to https://www.cityoffrederickmd.gov/726/Commission-Vacancies and the Planning Commission tab and APPLY! City: Community Outreach — Brickworks & Lucas Village On October 21, Deputy Director for Planning Gabrielle Collard held a Community Outreach meeting with two important projects discussed: the Brickworks at East and South Streets, and Lucas Village demolition off Sagner Avenue. The main outcome of discussions for the latter was that the demolition of Lucas Village will begin with specific City guarantees on eventual housing for 88 current residents and either saving the current community center or building a new facility. CRG applauds both decisions and looks forward to helping Lucas Village residents and their neighbors urge the City to repair existing sinkholes, inspect adjacent neighborhoods for sinkholes, renovate a stormwater retention pond, and alleviate frequent flooding of neighborhood streets. For the Brickworks project, parkland and plans for 230 townhomes on Lot 5 were discussed. The developer has been responsive to adding parkland on the property on the east side of East Street; a few more acres are needed to meet the City requirements. For Lot 5 townhome construction, the developer’s representative stated that no grading of land on Lot 5 will occur until MDE has issued its decision regarding whether contaminants are sufficiently low so that no mitigation is needed, or that contaminant levels will need to be reduced prior to recontouring of surface soils. This has been a CRG concern for more than two years based on historical records of contamination on the property. City: Temporary Housing Possibility On October 16 and 23, the Mayor and Board of Aldermen heard the description of a housing initiative that would allow temporary short-term housing in City areas zoned institutional, for the protection of the City’s homeless population during cold winter months. Ann Ryan of the Frederick Housing Solutions Task Force and pastors from several churches indicated they have land for such housing, and need the City to examine possible zoning modifications to permit this use. The temporary housing initiative is part of a housing continuum that Alderwoman Nash is advocating, from homelessness to home ownership (for a description, go to III.A.1 Presentation at https://cityoffrederick.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=12&event_id=5365). CRG strongly supports this ordinance and looks forward to workshops and hearings soon to provide this critically needed service to our less fortunate community members. City: Election Districts According to the City Charter amendments approved by the Board of Aldermen, five election districts will be in place for the 2025 municipal election. The City Council will be comprised of 5 district and 2 at-large representatives. To move that amendment forward, the City has hired HaystaqDNA to draft the election district maps. On October 23, representatives from the company presented their plan and timeline to the Mayor and Board. In an aggressive schedule, maps of City districts would be completed by February 1, 2025, with opportunities for input from City officials and residents before that final delivery date. The anticipated (though flexible) timeline was presented: Courtesy of Phyllis Hane, City Clerk City: Update on the Winchester Property A discussion and decision, scheduled for the October 24 Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) meeting, on whether the buildings (a house built in the mid-1800s and accompanying stable/garage/shed) on the Winchester property on East 6th Street are contributing or non-contributing, was postponed until December due to a request by the developer for a continuance. As there was no HPC quorum to vote on the continuance at the meeting, the commissioners will vote at their November meeting whether to continue this matter at the December meeting. At the present time, it appears staff are recommending a “non-contributing” designation for the stable/garage/shed and a “contributing” designation for the house itself, which now is configured as a 3-unit apartment. Given the delay, there is still time for interested residents to weigh in with comments to Commissioners via HPC staff. City: More City Housing — Yes! More Traffic — Beware! As reported in the FNP (Saturday–Sunday October 26–27) the proposed 106-unit apartment building to be located between the Carroll Creek Linear Park and E. Patrick Street received the final site plan and local forest conservation plan approval from the City’s Planning Commission (PC) on October 24. While CRG expected this decision — based on discussions and early approvals at prior City meetings — it raises yet again the specter of traffic snarls in the Patrick/East street area.   In short order, the Galleria mixed use project at the corner of East and All Saints, the downtown hotel and conference center on E. Patrick and Carroll Streets, the Brickworks development at East and South Streets, the Visitation Academy project between E. Church and E. 2nd, the 106-unit complex at 404–420 E. Patrick Street, and an unknown development to replace the Railroad Museum will be adding new residents to downtown. A very good thing!!! More residents, more vibrant downtown, more foot traffic at local businesses. On the other hand, what exactly has been/will be done to ameliorate the already difficult traffic situation which seems to grow worse and worse each month? (As an aside, this scribe spent 20 minutes driving from the corner of N. Market and N. East Street to the intersection at Patrick Street on a recent Wednesday afternoon — about 1.5 miles. There were no works projects, no accidents to impede traffic flow, just more cars and trucks than the corridor can handle now. What will happen when the above noted projects come online?)   The City established a Downtown Frederick Mobility Zone and fee structure in 2022, with the stated use of the funds “…from the mobility fee district account at its discretion to fund transportation capital projects, within or adjacent to the Downtown.” The FNP article mentioned that the developer of the 106-unit apartment building will be “subject to the Downtown Frederick Mobility Fee…approximately $2,813.” The amount cited is interesting, to say the least, as the resolution establishing the mobility fee indicates an initial assessment (which rises each fiscal year) for residential properties of $311.07 per unit which in 2022 would have totaled more than $32K for a 106-unit apartment building.   So, some questions. Has the fund been established? If so, how much has been collected? How much, if any, has been used? Why an approximate $2,813 (per the FNP article) payment for this property rather than an amount based on the resolution requirement for residential properties of a per unit fee multiplied by the number of units? What are the plans for improving the traffic — pedestrian, bicycle, motor vehicle — along the East Street corridor and the east side of town? Which reminds us: Whatever has happened with Form Based Code for the corridor? City: Vacant Property Ordinance Status Based on all the public interest and progress by the City recently to address the high-profile blighted Asiana property on North Market Street there has been a renewed call to update the status of the Vacancy Property Ordinance (VPO) passed in December 2020 and its impact on additional habitually vacant properties.   The VPO mandates an increase in property taxes in year 3 for previously registered and inspected vacant properties (years 1 and 2). This past May, notices of a separate blighted property tax increase for the 2025 fiscal year (July 1–June 30) were sent to 7 individual property owners for a total of 13 properties. Frequent Downtown visitors will be quite familiar with the location of most of these as they exist primarily on the 300 block of North Market Street and have been vacant in some cases for decades. With a goal of incentivizing the owners to either renovate or sell, it is important to note the VPO additionally provides the City with both the tool of continual tax increases or the nuclear option of receivership after year 4 as they took with Asiana on North Market Street (https://cityoffrederick.granicus.com/player/clip/5955?view_id=15&redirect=true). CRG encourages all City residents to stay involved by participating in the City's preferred method of handling resident concerns through "complaint driven enforcement“ and reporting properties felt to be vacant for at least one year and in violation of the VPO through the City website: https://frederickmd.portal.opengov.com/categories/1076/record-types/6559 The path to finally resolving these ongoing vacancy issues is clear and CRG commends the City for taking the first step with Asiana. We hope the predicted success of the pending legal challenge will encourage the City to continue their efforts and finish the job.   City: Rental Licensing Ordinance — Use of Collected Funds In August 2022, the City passed an ordinance to collect money for rental licenses. The more than $527,000 collected in the past fiscal year will be used for Housing and Human Services operating and administrative costs, with the remaining money divided among three funds: the Tenant Protection Fund, the Rental Assistance Fund, and the Affordable Housing Conservation Fund. The Tenant Protection Fund request of $50,000 is to “…protect renters from being evicted from their units due to unsafe conditions created by their landlord or the building’s owner” (FNP, October 31). The Rental Assistance Fund will “…provide short-term assistance to renters who experience temporary financial hardship” (FNP, ibid.) and those eligible would earn 50% or less of the average mean income, hold a Section 8 voucher, or be 65 or older, or have a disabled household member. The Affordable Housing Conservation Fund will “…provide one-time payments for projects to established homeowners” (FNP, ibid.), i.e., one-time repairs that the owner cannot afford. CRG applauds this City commitment and trusts that the funds will at least partially alleviate the long-standing need for residential assistance. Go to https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/economy_and_business/real_estate_and_development/aldermen-consider-best-ways-to-use-rental-licensing-money/article_a9a7c5bb-47e1-5678-beaa-f6253587a217.html for additional details.   City: FREE organics/food waste pickup Residents, remember to sign up for the FREE organics pickup the City is offering! Learn more here: https://www.cityoffrederickmd.gov/1591/Free-Curbside-Composting Composting is an important part of any sustainable city. It reduces the amount of trash entering the municipal landfill, creates nutrient-rich soil without chemical fertilizers, and helps reduce a city’s carbon footprint. County: MPRP Transmission Line To the disappointment of many County residents, small businesses, and local-to-Federal officials, PSEG has published a route for a proposed transmission line from northern Baltimore County, through Carroll, into southwestern Frederick County. PSEG has sent over 800 letters to property owners whose land may be within the transmission line route for possible purchase, or seizure through eminent domain. Lack of credible justification for the line, loss of private and public properties, and rate payer assumption of transmission line construction costs ($425 million) has induced rage and disbelief that a project primarily built for data centers in northern Virginia currently, and perhaps those likely in southwest Frederick County over the next decade, could move forward with clear, widespread, vocal opposition. Multiple bills for the state’s legislative session beginning in January are under consideration to re-examine the transmission line, as well as power demand and costs associated with future data centers. CRG wonders: Where is the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's intervention to re-examine this decision, in which the sole beneficiaries are large corporations that sponsor data centers at the expense of local residents? For landowners near the proposed MPRP line: A coalition of organizations, including Envision Frederick County, Sugarloaf Alliance, and the Smarter Growth Alliance, are working to distribute information to landowners next to and near the MPRP line. In Frederick County, please reach out using the email address, smartergrowthfc@gmail.com to learn more about this effort, or to volunteer to help distribute flyers to landowners. Upcoming MPRP information sessions About these meetings: "PSEG invites you to public information sessions to learn more about MPRP and the process moving forward. There will be a brief overview of the project followed by a moderated question and answer session." Wednesday, November 13, 2024 Carroll County PSEG Information Session Carroll County Ag Center, 706 Agricultural Center Dr., Westminster, MD 6:00 PM–8:30 PM Tuesday, November 12, 2024 Baltimore County PSEG Information Session Embassy Suites by Hilton, 213 International Circle, Hunt Valley, MD 6:00 PM–8:30 PM Thursday, November 14, 2024 Frederick County PSEG Information Session Brunswick Volunteer Fire Company, 1500 Volunteer Drive, Brunswick, MD 6:00 PM–8:30 PM

__________________ See the CRG blog at: responsiblegrowthfrederick.com Contributors: P. Gallagher, S. Jakubczyk, 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!