Frederick Planning Commission Meeting - January 9, 2023
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Frederick Planning Commission Meeting - January 9, 2023
The Frederick Planning Commission held its regular public hearing on January 9, 2023, at 6:00 PM in City Hall, 101 North Court Street. The commission addressed multiple items including a master plan revision, final plats, site plans, and a forest conservation plan. All votes were unanimous unless otherwise noted. Public comments were heard on several items.
Consent Calendar
- Approved minutes from the December 12, 2022 meeting, December 19, 2022 workshop, and January 6, 2023 pre-meeting (all unanimous).
- Granted a 60-day continuance for PC21-1431FSI (East Pat Lofts) to March 13, 2023, at the applicant's request (unanimous).
Public Comments & Testimony
- 417 W. Patrick Street (Final Plat & Site Plan): Residents Amy Marsh, Debbie Jaffray, Rob Walsh, Sandra Laneert, and Linda Dove expressed concerns about lack of notification, the design of the clock tower, building height, shadow impacts, and parking. They generally supported redevelopment of the site but objected to the proposed design as not fitting the neighborhood's character.
- Cannon Hill Apartments: Colin Crehan, William Cotton, and Julia Radowitz commented on insufficient parking, lighting concerns, tree removal, and increased traffic on East South Street. They also noted a zoning discrepancy (DB vs DR) and a propane tank on an adjacent property.
Discussion Items
- Election of Officers: Barbara Nicholas was re-elected Chair, Joan Strawson Vice Chair, and Ron Dini Secretary, all unanimously.
- Barrick Property Master Plan (PC22-514PND): Approved a revision reducing dwelling units from 301 to 274, with three modifications (R4 dimensional regulations, driveway coverage waiver for front-loaded townhouses, and street details). The applicant cited 19 years of neighborhood changes and improved access via Christopher Crossing. Approved unanimously.
- 417 W. Patrick Street Final Plat (PC18-791FSU): Approved resubdivision to create three lots, with conditions. Unanimous.
- 417 W. Patrick Street Final Site Plan (PC18-792FSI): Approved a four-unit multifamily building with parking. The vote was 3-1-1 (McShane, Beattie, Strawson in favor; Nicholas opposed; one abstention). The applicant declined a continuance despite commissioner requests for a clearer rendering.
- Frederick Manufacturing (PC22-730FSI): Approved a 3,600 square foot addition to a pharmaceutical manufacturing building. Unanimous.
- Take 5 Car Wash (PC22-826FSI): Approved demolition of a former Pizza Hut and construction of a car wash with 12 vacuum stations, including two modifications (loading space location and landscaping buffer). Unanimous.
- Cannon Hill Final Site Plan (PC22-404FSI): Approved a 34-unit multifamily building with 34 on-site parking spaces. Added a condition that parking spaces meet the 15-foot setback from the DR zoning boundary. Unanimous.
- Cannon Hill Forest Plan (PC22-512FSCB): Approved a combined forest stand delineation and preliminary forest conservation plan, including a modification to remove three specimen trees and nine other trees, with a fee in lieu of $4,443.30. Unanimous.
Key Outcomes
- All consent items and continuances passed unanimously.
- Barrick master plan approved with modifications (unanimous).
- 417 W. Patrick final plat approved (unanimous).
- 417 W. Patrick site plan approved (3-1-1).
- Frederick Manufacturing site plan approved (unanimous).
- Take 5 Car Wash site plan and modifications approved (unanimous).
- Cannon Hill site plan approved with additional parking setback condition (unanimous).
- Cannon Hill forest plan approved with conditions (unanimous).
- Meeting adjourned after completing all agenda items.
Meeting Transcript
Well, it's six o'clock, so welcome to the January 2023 hearing for of the planning commission for the city of Frederick. Um before beginning tonight's proceedings, I'd like to give a little bit of background on the planning commission and the procedures that we will be following this evening. Members of the planning commission are all residents of the city and are volunteers appointed by the mayor and board of Alderman. The commission is made up of five regular members and one alternate. And here with the commission this evening and in support are staff members from the city's planning, engineering, and legal departments. All of tonight's cases have been appropriately advertised pursuant to section 301 of the land management code. So the process that we will follow is first there'll be an introduction of the case, and then we will turn the case over to staff and and they will present the case and have the initial recommendation. We'll follow that by questions and comments from the commission. We'll turn it over to the applicant for their presentation back up here for questions and comments from the commission. Then we'll open it up to public comment. And since we've been back here in City Hall, all public comment is in person. And everybody who is going to comment tonight must stand and be sworn in, and that's going to happen in just a second. So after that, we bring it back up here. And then we take the vote. If so, answer I do. Great. Thank you. And when you come up to give your comment, if you would state your name and address. A couple announcements this evening. Next Monday is the city is closed in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. So our planning commission workshop will be on Tuesday, and that begins at 2 p.m. Uh the agenda should be posted by the end of the day tomorrow. And those are items that are going to be coming up at subsequent hearings in coming months. So for folks who are interested in any of those projects, um it is kind of the first public meeting opportunity with the planning commission uh to hear about those projects. Encourage people to take a look at that. Uh that same evening uh we do have our citywide planning department community outreach meeting, and that's at 6 p.m. And that is also in this room. Um, and those are even newer projects than the projects presented at the workshop. Those are applications that were just submitted the month previous to the meeting. Um so staff and and all of the different agencies looking at the projects have really just begun their preview process so that so it's a great opportunity to learn about what new things are coming down the pipeline. Uh the other announcements we do have is that on January 25th, which is a Wednesday at 7 p.m. The city, the Maryland Historic Trust, and the Frederick County Division of Planning and Permitting will be holding a public meeting or information session to learn about the historic uh preservation tax credits. Uh so it's an opportunity to learn about opportunities and programs that may be available for the rehab of historic properties. We also do have a couple of vacancies on the HPC. We have two uh regular member opportunities on the historic preservation commission. So anyone interested in participating as a volunteer on one of our commissions, uh that's an opportunity, as well as on the zoning board of appeals. Uh we do have a vacancy that will be opening up in February. Information on all of our boards and commissions and vacancies and how to participate are available on the city's uh public page if you search uh commissions and boards. And that's all I had. Thank you. And thank you, Gabrielle. So now we go to the minutes. Uh first looking for a motion for the December 12th, 2022 planning commission meeting minutes. I move for approval of the December 12th, 2022 planning commission meeting minutes. Second. That is a motion from um Commissioner Strawson, second by Commissioner Beattie. All those in favor. Aye. Okay.
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