Frederick City and County News of Interest VOL. 3, NO. 9 | SEPTEMBER 11, 2024

 

VOL. 3, NO. 9  |  SEPTEMBER 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: City: Winchester Property Preservation Coalition City Charter Review City Planning Commission City: Galleria Project City: Wormans Mill Court Apartments Project City Workshop: Ad Hoc Neighborhood Engagement & NAC Committee City: North Market Street Liquor License Concern City: Composting Program County: Development Moratorium Ordinance County: Data Center Update: Bauxite Project for Rowan Data Centers County: Data Centers — MD Tech Council’s Data Center Summit Cross-County Transmission Line Project (MPRP) County: Investing in Workers and Workplaces Plan Upcoming Meetings & Events ______________ City: Winchester Property Preservation Coalition’s effort to save an historic City apartment house and grounds — Help save the site! A preliminary plan for a 0.6 acre property at 127 E. 6th Street, Frederick, calls for the demolition of a historic house and barn and the building of eight high-end townhomes. The house currently serves as 3 affordable apartment units. Civil War Major Benjamin Franklin (B.F.) Winchester and his family acquired this long-time agricultural property in the 1860s, their homestead until B.F.’s passing in 1895. B.F. Winchester and his brother Hiram were leaders in Frederick, starting with the founding of the Frederick Female Seminary by Hiram in the 1840s and B.F.'s service there as a mathematics teacher. The school would later be renamed “Winchester Hall,” and become the seat of Frederick County government. B.F. Winchester was an educator, a quartermaster in the Union Army, a Frederick Alderman and Council member, and a market gardener, but he is most noted for his brick manufacturing business. Many noteworthy Frederick institutions, including the old City Hall at 124 N. Market Street (now Brewer's Alley), Montevue Home, and Maryland School for the Deaf were at least partly constructed with his bricks. The applications to demolish Winchester’s former property's house and barn and to replace them with the townhomes have been submitted to the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) for review. The applications and City staff report are available online Friday, September 6 via this link. Readers are encouraged to submit written comments to staff Christina Martinkosky and/or Tanzi Crayton for consideration by HPC members. This may be the sole opportunity for public comment on the demolition. Additionally, readers are encouraged to attend both the property Site Visit announced here, scheduled for Thursday, September 12 at 4:45 PM, as well as the Demolition Workshop at the 6 PM HPC meeting. Please touch base with Jim Wagner (your.james.wagner@gmail.com or 240-586-1215) with questions. Demolition and development here are misguided, removing affordable housing and destroying a historically contributing resource. Given B.F. Winchester's many contributions to his City and country, and the long history of the house, the site is worthy of the HPC's "unusual importance" label. You can help in saving the site! City Charter Review On August 28, the Board of Aldermen continued review of the December 2023 recommendations to the City Charter proposed by the mayor-appointed Charter Review Committee. After considerable discussion, a final list of staff-paraphrased recommendations will be voted on in a September 19 meeting of the Mayor and Board of Aldermen. Many of the recommendations could be included in the 2025 City election for voter approval. Accordingly, it is VERY IMPORTANT that residents provide input as the final wording will decide the future of City government and rules that impact ALL residents. Once posted, CRG will distribute a list of the proposed changes for review and comment. City Planning Commission On August 12, the Planning Commission (PC) agreed on final site plans for the B&O townhomes project and the downtown hotel and conference center. The latter included modified ingress/egress into and out of the center to try to minimize large truck traffic. The issue of congestion arising from the center on S. Carroll Street as well as E. Patrick, East, and E. All Saints Streets was not raised, to the surprise of many residents. CRG had encouraged a more thorough review and potential conditions for future traffic surrounding the center property as well as less modern designs for both projects, but the HPC and the PC accepted proposed designs for the two developments. City: Galleria Project The HPC agreed that massing, height, size, and design of the multi-story, multi-building Galleria project proposed for 107 E. All Saints Street bordering Carroll Creek has met Level I requirements for the project to move forward. The design incorporates buildings ranging in height from that of the 3-story Delaplaine to 7 stories backing on the City Garage on All Saints Street. The Carroll Creek-facing first story will be retail. Although CRG urged a less modern design, the HPC members praised the developers’ efforts and a Level II review (façade, materials, fenestration) will be scheduled soon. This large complex will also dramatically impact the traffic congestion addressed in the item above. City: Wormans Mill Court Apartments Project On September 5, the Mayor and Board of Aldermen (BoA) discussed rezoning of the Wormans Mill Court Apartments property off Rtes. 15 and 26 opposite Clemson Corner. This development is a complex of 315 units built as ‘affordable’ — the developer's lawyer asserted that $142,000 is 60% of AMI for a family of 4 and that this family could thus qualify for an 'affordable' unit in this complex. It is unclear whether all, or 12.5%, of the units (39) will be built for individuals or families earning less than 60% AMI, as moderately priced dwelling units (MPDUs). The BoA agreed to the rezoning request that would enable residential construction with several conditions, including afforestation, to which the applicant stated that requirement might result in a loss of 50% of the units and make the project financially impractical. Although CRG strongly supports construction of affordable housing, it does agree with the BoA applied conditions. The applicant has 90 days to decide whether to accept or reject the City’s limitations. City Workshop: Ad Hoc Neighborhood Engagement & NAC Committee After nearly 15 months, the mayor and Board of Aldermen (BoA) convened a September 4 workshop, the first since completion of the mayor-appointed commission report, to discuss proposed changes to the current resolution outlining the structure and roles of City Neighborhood Advisory Councils (NACs, https://www.cityoffrederickmd.gov/DocumentCenter/View/21811/NAC-Resolution---081923). NACs were established in 2002 as a City-defined mechanism to increase resident input to City officials and staff. Following substantial pushback on the commission’s recommendations on 1) the most useful and fruitful method for two-way dialog between the NACs and the BoA and mayor and 2) a request that, where a building application has been received for construction in a NAC, that particular NAC be notified on receipt of the application to encourage neighborhood-developer dialog prior to any application approvals. The BoA indicated it would ‘red line’ the proposed recommendations on portions of the recommendations to keep or reject. It appears the ‘status quo’ for the NACs, with small tweaks, may remain in place — disappointing, considering minimal feedback our elected officials provided to these councils in the past several years. City: North Market Street Liquor License Concern An application for a “One Day Promoter Event” was submitted and reviewed by the Frederick County Liquor Board (FCLB) on September 9. The applicant sought a Class C special Promoter’s License to use Carmen's Market to sell alcoholic beverages on three weekend occasions in late October/early November. The applicant’s submission was withdrawn when the Board members found multiple incomplete sections of the request. The applicant can re-apply if he can provide specifics required in the regulations.   This case is a major concern. The property has been listed on the City’s Vacant Property Registration for the past 18 months. At the September 9 FCLB meeting, residents and business owners in surrounding homes and storefronts presented multiple objections based on the property’s previous history of unauthorized 2–3 AM drinking parties in or behind the store, disruptions and violence on N. Market Street associated with the previous business, and the number of patrons to be served. Stay tuned for updates! City: Composting Program On September 18, Jenny Willoughby, City Sustainability Manager, will present data and recommendations to the Mayor and Board of Aldermen regarding the City's ongoing Composting Pilot program, in which residents who receive trash pick-up within the City can also have a bucket of organic/food waste picked up on "trash day." This service is currently free for City residents. More information about the program is available here: https://www.cityoffrederickmd.gov/1591/Residential-Compost-Pilot City leaders are considering funding for the composting program in the 2025 budget, and residents' input could make a big difference. Use the September 18 meeting e-comment feature, or send a comment by email. Let your elected leaders know: What do you enjoy about the composting program?  What improvements would you like to see?  How should the city expand or enhance the program?  County: Development Moratorium Ordinance On August 21, the proposed ordinance for a temporary residential building moratorium based on school capacity was discussed at the County Planning Commission. In a 3–3 vote, the Commission members did not support the proposed moratorium that would temporarily stop residential construction in areas where school capacity exceeded either 120% and 175% capacity, respectively.  As a quasi-judicial meeting, no recommendation was submitted to the County Council for its workshop that followed on August 27. The County Council deliberated for some time with no clear indication of Council member acceptance or rejection of the proposal. Stay tuned as this is a major decision for future residential construction in County areas with severely overcrowded schools! Link to view the Council meeting discussion of the Development Moratorium bill: https://frederick.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=10&clip_id=9942 Go to 1:10 on the slider at the bottom. County: Data Center Update: Bauxite Project for Rowan Data Centers On August 14, the Planning Commission accepted the application for construction of the Doubs sub-station and power lines for the Rowan data center on the Quantum Loophole property near Adamstown. As the first project for the QL campus, this is the first step in ensuring power supply to the many data centers likely for the 2100-acre Eastalco site. Interestingly, the Bauxite-Rowan application indicated that there was existing adequate power already delivered to the proposed sub-station with no additional power needed from the proposed PSEG transmission line currently under review (see below). This first step in development is only the beginning. CRG hopes that the County Executive will quickly submit a revised Critical Data Infrastructure (CDI) Ordinance that was informed by her assembled Data Center Work Group’s recommendations over 2 months ago, as well as input from numerous organizations and individuals. Without a revision to the current CDI Ordinance, all future applications for data centers will be ‘grandfathered’ to the weak requirements of the current regulations, jeopardizing net revenue collections, power and water allocations, stormwater damage to adjacent properties, wells, and creeks, soil contamination from hazardous spills, greenhouse gas limits, and noise impacts on nearby residents. County: Data Centers — MD Tech Council’s Data Center Summit The MD Tech Council hosted the first Data Center Summit at Frederick Community College on August 29, with approximately 340 attendees. The Summit included a keynote address, 5 panels, and a lunch fireside chat over the day-long event. The Summit provided background, current, and future information on data centers proposed for the Eastalco site near Adamstown, including efforts to ameliorate visual and noise issues, power options, expected exponentially growing technologies of the future, and employment in the area. CRG will soon post a summary of the conference, derived from comments of presenters, with possible implications and concerns our members have from comments made by the Summit's invited speakers. Dozens of protesters gathered outside the Summit to make the connection between data centers and the tremendous increases in the need for power and water they bring to communities in which they're built. Some were asking for a pause on data center development in Frederick County until strong ordinances are in place to regulate the industry.   This is a huge issue for County residents in the next several years, so STAY INFORMED. FNP article: https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/continuing_coverage/quantum_loophole/maryland-data-center-summit-draws-hundreds-aims-to-educate-different-stakeholders/article_21b87de6-07cc-5030-a42b-644f5b2f6231.html Cross-County Transmission Line Project (MPRP) Residents and several elected officials have voiced concerns over the proposed transmission line project from Baltimore County, through Carroll, and ending at the Doubs sub-station in SW Frederick County. Six public meetings have been held with the contractor, the Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG), to urge, at a minimum, use of existing rights of way (ROW) and question why any additional transmission line construction is needed when the company admits the power will serve data centers in N. Virginia. The threats of property loss through eminent domain seizures, property damage to existing farms and businesses, employment losses for those businesses, and potential negative consequences in businesses relying on agritourism or landscaping underlie resident concerns. CRG and the Fellowship of Scientists and Engineers have reached out to federal officials to urge their possible intervention with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to encourage using the existing ROW as well as use of existing power line towers, underground burial, microgrids, or proposed routes from other states as viable and preferred alternatives to the new routes in the PSEG proposal. The Carroll County Council has objected to the plan and on September 4, the Frederick County Council and County Executive drafted similar objections to be sent to MD’s Public Service Commission encouraging re-examination of routes and estimated power needs. County Executive Fitzwater will hold a public forum to discuss the MPRP on October 9. Details below. Additional concerns about costs to residents and local businesses (https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/continuing_coverage/quantum_loophole/potomac-edison-granted-waiver-to-connect-doubs-substation-with-rowan-data-center/article_d578a843-2a4a-5461-9ddb-cb03fefceaea.html). Preliminary estimates from construction of the proposed transmission lines and delivery to and use of electricity in N. Virginia data centers suggest huge monthly increases in fees to every Frederick County Potomac Edison customer, an unfair outcome as residents and current businesses should not have to assume >90% of the $424M costs to provide power to data centers. Similarly, of the $33M estimated for delivering power to the Rowan data center from the switching station at the Eastalco site, Rowan is only picking up $2.17M. Who pays the rest? The FirstEnergy representative stated, “the $27.3 million for construction of the switching station will be considered ‘network costs’ because they provide ‘network benefits’ the company will seek to recover through transmission rates”, i.e., current residents and businesses. NO! CRG believes that cost allocation should be assessed based on a “those that use more, pay more” calculation.   County: Investing in Workers and Workplaces Plan The Investing in Workers and Workplaces Plan is a joint initiative of the Livable Frederick Planning and Design Office and the Frederick County Division of Economic Opportunity.    According to the County website, the plan seeks to "increase land designated for targeted economic opportunity uses through the review of select growth areas and current land use designations." There is concern among County residents that conservation and preservation area designations will be overturned in favor of commercial or residential development, including opening more land for data center developments.   Livable Frederick and Economic Opportunity staff will host initial outreach meetings for this plan in the coming weeks. It's important to attend at least one meeting to learn what is being planned, and to voice your opinions.   Meetings will be held at the County’s Prospect Center as listed below. The County has indicated that all meetings will contain the same information.   If you have questions about the plan or upcoming meetings, please contact Denis Superczynski, Livable Frederick Planning Manager by calling 301-600-1142 or emailing DSuperczynski@FrederickCountyMD.gov. More info on the County website: https://www.frederickcountymd.gov/8726/Investing-in-Workers-and-Workplaces   Upcoming Meetings & Events City HPC Meeting, Thursday, September 12, City Hall, 6 PM: First discussion of in-fill development at 127 E. 6th St., home of historically important B.F. Winchester and the Winchester family and businesses. City Workshop, Wednesday, September 18, City Hall, 3 PM: Presentation of findings on the City Composting Pilot program. City Meeting, Thursday, September 19, City Hall, 6 PM: Decisions on final Charter Review recommendations County Executive's Community Meeting on MPRP, Wednesday, October 9, 6 PM, Oakdale High School auditorium: Representatives of PSEG will attend the meeting to present information and answer questions from the public. County: Investing in Workers and Workplaces Plan Meetings, Prospect Center, 585 Himes Avenue in Frederick. Three sessions:    Thursday, September 19, 6–8 PM    Wednesday, September 25, 2–4 PM    Wednesday, October 2, 6–8 PM

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

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