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!