Frederick Planning Commission Workshop - November 21, 2022
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Frederick Planning Commission Workshop - November 21, 2022
The Frederick Planning Commission convened a workshop on November 21, 2022 at 2:00 PM to discuss five development items and a potential training session. The workshop provided an informal forum for commissioners to review proposals, ask questions, and hear from staff and applicants. No formal votes were taken; all items will proceed to public hearings for final decisions.
Zoning Map Amendment – 1700 Atlas Drive (PC22-950ZMA)
- Staff presented a proposal to establish a Historic Preservation Overlay (HPO) for a circa-1800 mill house that was relocated 140 feet north as part of the Bel Air Farm development. The Historic Preservation Commission had previously recommended approval unanimously on October 27, 2022.
- Commissioners discussed the building's architectural significance as a hall-and-parlor dwelling, the impact of relocation on historic integrity, and the road widening of Bogman's Lane (originally planned as four lanes but reduced to three with a protected bike lane). The property owner expressed opposition via a letter.
- Staff clarified that without the HPO, the building would have no protection and could be altered or demolished; the overlay would apply to the new 0.17-acre lot.
Cannon Hill Apartments – Final Site Plan (PC22-404FSI) and Forest Conservation (PC22-512FSCB)
- Applicant Sean Benjaminson proposed a 34-unit condo building on an undeveloped portion of property along South Street. Parking is provided at one space per unit (34 spaces), half the typical requirement due to the downtown zoning district's flexibility.
- Discussion focused on tree impacts on adjacent property, parking adequacy given the city's car-oriented culture, and the site's infill nature. Commissioners praised the creative use of space and the addition of housing in a walkable area.
- Staff noted the project meets technical requirements and is exempt from APFO (fewer than 5 units) and MPDU (fewer than 25 units).
Frederick Manufacturing – Final Site Plan (PC22-730FSI)
- Applicant Brian Downley proposed a 3,600-square-foot storage addition to the existing AstraZeneca manufacturing facility (27.47 acres). The addition is a minor expansion representing less than 1% of total building area.
- Commissioners had no questions. Staff explained the item came to the commission because of a previous minor site plan (6,000-square-foot cafeteria expansion) to prevent piecemealing.
- The project is exempt from APFO and stormwater requirements due to minimal disturbance (less than 5,000 square feet).
417 W Patrick Street – Final Plat (PC18-791FSU) and Final Site Plan (PC18-792FSI)
- Applicant Krupa Patel proposed a 4-unit multifamily residential building on three consolidated lots. Access is from a narrow driveway on West Patrick Street, with pedestrian access from Jefferson Street. Parking is provided on the ground floor.
- Discussion covered driveway safety (a pull-off area for passing vehicles), parkland dedication fee ($500 per unit, but a 2,000-square-foot fee in lieu since the site is under 3 acres), and historic district fee ($1,000 per unit). Commissioners requested renderings for the formal hearing.
- The project is exempt from APFO (fewer than 5 units) and MPDU (fewer than 25 units).
Take 5 Carwash – Final Site Plan (PC22-826FSI)
- Applicant Jim Ruff proposed an automated car wash at 1220 West Patrick Street, replacing a former Pizza Hut. The project reduces impervious surface from 90% to 77% and adds landscaping.
- Three modifications requested: narrowing pay lane to 12 feet (down from 15), reduced landscape buffer along west side (compensated with 33 additional shrubs), and exemption from off-street loading (no delivery needs).
- Commissioners discussed connectivity along the Golden Mile, tree preservation along the rear property line (elevation helps buffer from Hillcrest neighborhood), and the proliferation of car washes. Staff will provide additional analysis on the Golden Mile Small Area Plan for the formal hearing.
Planning Commission Training
- A training session for commissioners was tentatively scheduled but postponed due to time constraints and missing members. The training will be rescheduled as a standalone meeting to allow for in-depth interaction.
Key Outcomes
- No formal votes were taken at this workshop. All items will proceed to a public hearing for final decisions.
- The training item will be rescheduled for a future date, likely as a standalone public meeting.
Meeting Transcript
Well, good afternoon. It is two o'clock. So welcome to the workshop for the City of Frederick Planning Commission, November 2022. How we've been doing this is we asked the applicant to come up first and we have the applicant actually present the case. And for any of you who are new, we don't want you to just say, okay, guys, I know you read it. You have any questions. We want you to actually to walk through the through the highlights. So after you do that, we'll take a roll call of the planning commissioners and we'll have questions and make comments. And then we'll go back and forth and we'll sort of exhaust that conversation. We will turn to staff then and ask if staff has anything to add. Then we'll have questions and comments of staff. And it's really a much more casual kind of conversation, and our hearings are. Okay. Thank you very much. So our first item on the agenda. Well, um, I will say I I know we introduced our new alternate commission at our hearing a week ago, and I also would like to point out here that we have April Lee, and she has just so this is your first workshop and second hearing. Right. And um April will always all of the alternates will always take part in the conversation. And if one of the commissioners is not here, the alternate can also vote. So all right. Anyway, the first item is PC two-950. It's a zoning map amendment for 1700 Atlas Drive. And the applicant is actually staffed. So we'll turn it over to Christina. Hi, I'm Christina Martin Koski presenting on behalf of the planning division. Thank you for your time this afternoon. Before we dig in, there's a couple points I want you to be aware of. And just give me a cue if you cannot hear me very well. Um the sound can be turned up, or maybe you could get a little closer. Okay, closer. Is this better? I think so. I think we found the mics that you need to get. Okay. I'll be right on it. So this is the planning division's application to historic preservation that overlay at 1700 Atlas Drive to protect us circa 1800 male house. Before we dig in, there's a couple points I want to make. Uh, first, this 220-year-old building was previously designated with an HPO back in 2014. In fact, it was the first historic building saved by the demolition review ordinance. It was designated with the knowledge that the building would likely need to be moved to make way for the widening of Bogman's Lane, and that the city would need to go through the redesignation process once the building was moved. This has been an eight-year process, which was carefully implemented by various review boards and departments of the city. The mothballing on the structure, which you can see in this image, can um shows the boarded of windows, the ventilation, masonry repairs, and the requirement to direct water away from the building. All of these were mothballing efforts required by the Planning Commission as part of the site plan approval. The building holds significance for its architectural value. It is a good surviving example of a traditional hall and parlor dwelling. The building is considered a pre-railroad British folk form, but it's important to acknowledge that this is a true local vernacular building type that reflects the merging of cultures and building traditions. When the Bill or County Farm went through the development review, two historic preservation overlays were enacted. This shows the overlay at the Conley Farm, where the city protected a grouping of historic buildings dating from circa 1800 to the first quarter of the 20th century. And this is the overlay on the mill house. The red arrow points to the original location, and the green points to the current location.
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