Frederick City and County News of Interest VOL. 4, NO. 10 | October 8, 2025

 

VOL. 4, NO. 10  |  October 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: Opinion: City Primary Election Implications City: Updates on Planning Commission Discussions/Decisions City: Planning Department City Council: Housing, Health, and Education Committee (HHE) County: Community Data Center Meetings County: Data Centers & the Potomac River Upcoming Meetings and Events ______________   Opinion: City Primary Election Implications The results of the September Primary Election yielded some very interesting takeaways that need to be carefully thought through by the remaining candidates in the general election. They also highlight a few indications of how things may be changing in the City regarding future election attitudes and overall parameters. First of all — and contrary to the opinion of the editors of the Frederick News Post (FNP) — the biggest surprise was not the solid overall leading vote for the first-time candidate, Libby Taylor, but the resounding rejection of incumbents and the status quo. The two longest-serving Council members finished last and next to last in the competitive at-large race. Frankly, voters said, "Thank you very much for your combined 40 years of service," but it's time to move forward. In addition, the performance of Ron Beattie in his challenge to two-time incumbent Mayor Michael O'Connor should be of some concern to the Mayor in the upcoming general election. With 42% of the vote and basically a tie in the critical District 3 (downtown), it seems running on perceived past accomplishments alone might not result in the Mayor receiving a third term.  It's easy to argue that voters want to hear what a candidate is going to do in the future that represents a fresh approach to City government and addresses the key issues facing the City with a measurable timeline of actual progress (such issues as affordability — from crippling  property taxes, to housing at all levels, and the continuation of unbridled growth and capitulation to the development community that results in a "build-first at any cost, and worry about covering infrastructure costs later" mentality). One final takeaway has to be the performance of Fredy Ventura Garcia who, as a legal resident but non-citizen, received more votes in a losing effort in District 5 than three of the district candidates who won their individual races. Perhaps now the FNP will stop asking whether people will support non-citizen voting! Kudos to the Charter Review Commission whose efforts opened the door for this level of participation and created an upbeat and exciting election atmosphere. To me this is the lead the FNP buried!   — Steve Jakubczyk, North Market Street resident City: Updates on Planning Commission Discussions/Decisions The September CRG newsletter reported on two issues of concern regarding development projects in the City: Master Plan approval of the Frederick Health application for a large mixed-use community in the Route 15/Monocacy Boulevard/Route 26 triangle; and a proposed Land Management Code (LMC) text amendment to revise required phasing standards for mixed use developments. Both issues, discussions of which had been continued from prior Planning Commission (PC) hearings, were brought before Commissioners at their September 8 hearing. Frederick Health Master Plan: Though supported by PC staff, discussion and decision on this application was continued (at the request of the applicant) after substantive discussion about the adequacy and phasing of road improvements at several critical intersections. Commissioners are supportive of the overall concept offered by Frederick Health officials of a mixed-use walkable community which could, ultimately, include a new hospital plus residences, and other retail/commercial structures. However, they remain concerned about the potential for even worse traffic congestion in the area, despite the proposed traffic mitigation plans proposed. After lengthy discussion, and indications from a majority of the Commissioners that they would not support the plan at this time, the applicant was granted a 60-day continuance to provide more data on the phasing of site development and road improvements, whether and how the developer would/could include Moderately Priced Dwelling Units (MPDUs) in the community, and how Route 15 expansion will fit into the area’s traffic flow. LMC Text Amendment: The proposed (by developers of Renn Quarter) text amendment was designed to address what appear to be limitations of the phasing requirement for mixed use developments (i.e., requiring that a certain amount of retail/commercial development be initiated once a defined level of residential development had been attained). The PC staff report identified this “one size fits all” requirement as an impediment to achievement of a Comprehensive Plan goal of encouraging mixed-use, walkable developments. Commissioners agreed but were unanimously opposed to a) recommending a solution that would apply to all mixed-use developments and not on a case-by-case basis; and b) allowing administrative decisions about waivers of the phasing requirement rather than full PC hearings with public input. They voted against recommending approval of the proposed text amendment and agreed to advise the City Council, via letter, of the reasons for their decision. City: Planning Department The City Planning Department has begun a reorganization effort to address changing conditions associated with growth. CRG has long been concerned about the lack of progress in the finalization of Form Based Code (FBC). Brandon Mark, with whom this responsibility lies, has also had the responsibility for the Planning Department’s Historic Preservation (HP) staff. His HP duties have now shifted to a new department, which will free up time to tackle projects like FBC. Further, he is being allocated additional staff to help with the growing workload. The Planning Department’s HP staff will have their own organization, with Christina Martinkoski having applied to lead this group and a new hire. The department is in the process of implementing and executing a monitoring system for review of products such as the Comprehensive Plan. Director Collard says she sees the value of creating citizen-populated work groups for the 5-year review of the current plan as well as preparations for the 2030 Comprehensive Plan, a positive development and a plus for CRG’s goals. City Council: Housing, Health, and Education Committee (HHE) Continuing discussion of several key City issues were held on September 18 and October 2. A City-wide Affordable Housing Overlay was discussed with slight opinion differences voiced by Council persons Donna Kuzemchak and Ben MacShane. MacShane was skeptical of any way to provide affordable housing for individuals and families below 60% of the Annual Median Income level; the ‘Missing Middle’ might be covered in some manner by City help, but he saw no way to assist affordable housing for those in the lowest income bracket. Kuzemchak indicated that residential AND commercial properties could accommodate the lowest wage earners and the City ought to identify City-owned properties for possible affordable housing. The Planning Department’s Gabrielle Collard suggested there were incentives to increase housing for the lowest income families, through partnerships, grants, etc. It also appears that Kuzemchak believes that MPDU fees in-lieu collected funds, now more than $4.6M, should only be used for affordable housing to be purchased rather than housing that is not only for sale, but rental as well (such as multi-family units). The latter is a concept that CRG supports, because the lowest income residents likely have insufficient capital for anything other than renting. Another option, Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), was again discussed, with possible relaxation of several City impact fees to encourage construction. So far, ADUs are found to be not inexpensive options and rules for occupation and future use remain unclear. One public comment encouraged relaxation of fees for any ADUs constructed for low income, non-family residents to broaden affordability. At the end of the September meeting, housing advocate Ann Ryan encouraged greater flexibility in ways to provide affordable housing, including rules supporting Single Room Occupancy (SRO) in the City. CRG strongly supports Ms. Ryan and the Frederick Housing Task Force in discovering and encouraging City funding options successfully used in other municipalities across the U.S. County: Community Data Center Meetings Two community meetings regarding data centers have been held near Adamstown in recent weeks (September 19 and 25). Officials and County staff attended to listen to resident questions regarding the recent data center overlay zone that has been proposed by County Executive Fitzwater. In the first meeting, vehement antagonism was obvious from Adamstown residents and their associates, strongly requesting that the Council SLOW DOWN in expanding the acreage the County would consider for future data centers in the overlay zone (from ~2200 acres to now adding another 650 acres) to allow assessment of what data center development and operations would mean for residents, County revenues, environmental impacts, and water and power supplies, not to mention monthly electricity bills. The second meeting was less contentious with Pat Murray, Fitzwater’s Chief of Staff, calmly and thoroughly responding to all residents with facts he could provide, engaging with often lengthy comment and questions from the assembled residents. Council members (Young, Knapp, Keegan-Ayer, McKay) attended one or both events as did state Senator Karen Lewis Young and Delegate Jesse Pippy, as well as Sheriff Jenkins. In the second meeting, staff of Maryland’s Department of the Environment (MDE) were also present as was Mike Kuykendall from the Eastalco management company, Catellus, to provide feedback. Most residents were cordial with challenging comments and County and MDE staff remained calm and as responsive as possible. It remains to be seen whether the Council will shift its just-announced support for the centers and the overlay to more protective requirements for residents. As pointed out by several residents, let the officials’ responses determine your vote next fall, which is very consistent with CRG’s position! Make your thoughts on data centers clear by sending comments to the County Planning Commission, who will be considering the proposed data center overlay map at their meeting Wednesday, October 15 — see info below. County: Data Centers & the Potomac River The Interstate Commission for the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB) is preparing a report providing a 25-year outlook on water supply and demand pressures on the Potomac River Basin, which for the first time includes impact from the regional data center industry. CRG expects content to provide summaries on increased periods (and severity) of droughts, seasonal high precipitation, longer low-flow river conditions, as well as increased demand for water to support the data center industry and regional growth. CRG is deeply concerned about water demand as there are now more than 600 centers operating, permitted, or planned in Virginia, many utilizing water feeding the Potomac. The ICPRB is not a regulatory body and hence, does not regulate use; it tracks water supply and use in the basin. During low-flow conditions, agreements are in place to follow recommended reductions in water withdrawal. However, compliance with these recommendations is VOLUNTARY. Should conditions develop where low-flow conditions become more the norm, the Commission may have to consider shifting from voluntary compliance to mandatory, likely requiring a regional if not Federal authorization, though the latter may be difficult, given the current Federal commitment to relaxing many environmental protections. Upcoming Meetings and Events City Planning Commission, Monday, October 13, 6 PM, City Hall: Brickworks, Galleria developments County Planning Commission, Wednesday, October 15, 9:15 AM, Winchester Hall: Critical Data Infrastructure Overlay Map hearing. Written comments must be submitted to the Planning and Permitting Division at least 48-hours in advance of the Commission meeting in order to be considered. Written comments are accepted via email: PlanningCommission@FrederickCountyMD.gov.

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