Frederick Planning Commission Workshop - December 18, 2023
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Frederick Planning Commission Workshop - December 18, 2023
The Frederick Planning Commission held a workshop on December 18, 2023, to discuss a final site plan for 810 E South Street and receive an informational presentation on the Let's Move Frederick bicycle and pedestrian plan. The workshop allowed for informal discussion among commissioners, staff, and applicants.
Discussion Items
PC23-799FSI, Final Site Plan, 810 E South Street – Applicant Bill Brenner (B&R Design Group) presented a proposal for a small addition to an existing commercial building to provide additional office space and an ADA-compliant bathroom. The property includes two tax parcels (810 and 812 E South Street), with 812 remaining a residential use. Staff noted that the addition triggers a major site plan due to its size exceeding 50% of the existing building, but no other requirements (forest conservation, stormwater, parkland) are triggered. The site lies within a quarry zone of influence, a known geological condition in the area that the city does not regulate. The only pending approval is APFO (Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance) review. Commissioners had no questions; the item was considered straightforward.
Informational Item: Let's Move Frederick – David Edmondson, Transportation Planner, presented the city’s first comprehensive bicycle and pedestrian plan. The plan aims to make walking and cycling comfortable, safe, and accessible for all residents and visitors. Key discussion points included:
- The plan sets a stretch goal of 35% of trips made by walking or biking (currently ~5%).
- Commissioners debated parking policy recommendations, particularly the proposal to eliminate minimum parking requirements (page 122). Commissioner Strawson opposed removal, citing the need for visitor parking and the city not being ready. Commissioner Lee supported removal to allow market-driven parking and affordable housing. Commissioner MacShane advocated for phased, forward-looking investment. Commissioner Beattie expressed strong opposition (“hard no”) to eliminating parking minimums.
- The plan identifies a core audience of 10,000–15,000 residents who would benefit most from improved infrastructure, but benefits extend citywide (health, economic, environmental).
- Discussion covered education programs for cyclists and drivers, safety enforcement, sidewalk maintenance (recommendation to study city takeover), and the need for a roadmap to reduce parking minimums.
- The presentation was split into two parts; the second half (chapters 7–8) will be continued at a future workshop.
Key Outcomes
- The site plan for 810 E South Street will proceed to a public hearing after APFO approvals are obtained.
- The Let's Move Frederick plan will be continued at the next workshop to cover remaining chapters. Staff will revise language on parking minimums to reflect a phased approach (roadmap) rather than outright elimination.
- No formal votes were taken; the workshop was for discussion and feedback.
Meeting Transcript
Well, good afternoon, and welcome to the um to the December workshop for the Planning Commission for the City of Frederick. Um we have two agenda items on for uh today, and what our procedure is is that we invite the applicants up to the table here, and we ask the applicants to do the presentation of their item. And what that means is not just asking us if we have any questions about it, but to walk us through the highlights of their case. After that, um after the presentation, uh the uh commissioners will ask them questions and basically they'll have an informal conversation back and forth. Um we'll then ask the staff if they have anything to add. We'll have questions and comments for the staff. And this is much more informal than our hearings, and it's really meant to have a thorough conversation on the item. We always do ask for public comment during the workshops, and um after the public comment, we'll um ask the applicant if they have anything else to add to the conversation. So um having said that, why don't we go for a swearing in of the applicant's staff and anyone who is here for public comment? Uh if you all would raise your right hands. Do you solemnly swear or affirm that the responses given and the statements made in this hearing before the planning commission will be the whole truth and nothing but the truth, if so, say I do. Okay. Thank you. Um, our first agenda item is the final site plan for 810 East South Street, PC 23-799, and we invite the applicant up to the table. Um if you can um get fairly close to the mic, um, and also if you would introduce yourself and your team and then take it away. Good evening, Planning Commissioner. Uh Bill Brenner will be in our design group, and I have with me uh Kay Riddle, the owner of the property. Um the project is could you get a little closer? It's kind of hard to hear at there unless you're right on the mic. Okay, because I'm getting a lot of feedback. Okay, just I I know it's really back just a little bit. Yes. You want me back away? Is that okay, Lance? Yeah. I'm getting a lot of things. Okay, okay, got it. Thank you. Okay. The project's located at 810 South East Street. Uh it's or East South Street, excuse me. Um, and it's at the existing building. Uh it's an older building, outdated interior, um, no handicapped bathrooms, small small area for the offices as the business is growing. Um this Ms. Riddle wants to uh do a little addition in the back to provide additional office and a conference room and also upgrade the bathroom to an ADA standards. Um we've been working with this, I guess, with staff since uh basically um November of last year. Um and the staff report is pretty comprehensive. Um this addition. Granted, it's over 50 percent of the building area, but it's you know, under a thousand square feet. We've been at this for a year through your process. Um so uh but with that uh we're very pleased with the our way the project has been coming along with staff reviews, and I would be glad to answer any of your questions for this project. Okay, let's start with Commissioner Beattie. Uh no, thank you. Commissioner Lee. Uh no questions. Commissioner Strawson. Thank you. Um, so I had was confused by the staff report, and this maybe hopefully you can address it. Um, the property at 812. That's part of the site, correct?
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