Frederick Planning Commission Meeting – February 12, 2024

The Planning Commission met on February 12, 2024, beginning at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall. The agenda included approval of minutes, a continued discussion of the "Let's Move, Frederick" bicycle and pedestrian plan (no vote), and a discussion of the 2025-2029 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) (no vote). Commissioners Joan Strawson (Chair), Dorothy Menelas (Vice Chair), Natasha Valencia, and Ben MacShane (City Council Liaison) were present.

Consent Calendar

• The minutes of the January 8, 2024 Planning Commission meeting were approved unanimously by a motion from Commissioner Strawson, seconded by Commissioner MacShane.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Hannah Nickerson (415 Sherman Avenue) – Spoke in support of ambitious bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, citing climate goals (35% of Maryland emissions from on-road transportation, 19% in Frederick), the state's goal to reduce vehicle miles traveled by 20% by 2050, and the need for the city to lead on climate-friendly transportation. She argued that eliminating parking minimums would free space for affordable housing and that Frederick's flat terrain and warming climate make biking more viable. She urged proactive steps to build infrastructure and noted that people have a right to bike and walk safely.
• Leanne Cruz (108 East South Street, on behalf of Downtown Frederick Partnership) – Expressed adamant support for the downtown streetscape project being included in the CIP. She emphasized the partnership's commitment to an accessible downtown with walkable streets, bikeable pathways, and vibrant public spaces, and noted that the partnership is actively seeking federal earmark funding for design and implementation.

Discussion Items

Let's Move, Frederick – Continued Discussion (Chapters 7-10)

• David Edmonson (Planning Department) presented chapters on maintenance, legislation/policy, finance, design standards, and implementation. He noted that maintenance cost estimates are high, especially with snow removal, and that the plan intentionally avoids definitive recommendations on maintenance because it touches on tax policy and political decisions. Extensive commissioner debate focused on the recommendation to eliminate parking minimums by 2027.
  • Commissioner Valencia and Commissioner Menelas expressed strong reservations about the 2027 timeline, arguing that Frederick lacks robust transit options (unlike larger cities cited in the plan) and that a culture shift and improved infrastructure must precede such a change. Commissioner Valencia suggested a longer timeline (e.g., 2035) or using a mode-share metric as a trigger. Commissioner Menelas also questioned whether comparable-sized cities with similar transit had been studied.
  • Commissioner Strawson voiced the opposite view, favoring a shorter deadline, arguing that the city has had 15-20 years of comprehensive plan goals for walkability and that removing parking minimums would spur affordable housing and infill. She noted that parking minimums are a barrier to ADUs and smaller units.
  • Commissioner MacShane asked about shared parking and unbundling rent from parking; staff explained that unbundling is difficult to enforce. Discussion also covered transportation demand management (TDM) as an interim step, the need for an executive summary with clear bullet points on costs and timelines, and the importance of culture change through programs.
  • Public Works Director Zach Kirschner answered questions about snow removal and garage opening policies. Staff indicated that they would revise the plan, particularly softening or clarifying the parking minimums section and providing a more robust executive summary, for a future vote.

Capital Improvements Program (CIP) 2025-2029 – Discussion

• Zach Kirschner and staff reviewed the CIP matrix, which included updates on projects recommended by the commission last year (conference center parking facility, E Street improvements, downtown streetscape study, East Street improvements south of South Street, rails-with-trails phases, and Monocacy/26 interchange). New projects added to the matrix include West Patrick Street/Maryvale flood improvements, parks equity emphasis area (Hill Street Park and Melanox), and traffic calming (including a proposed circle at Modern 13th and Fairview).
• Commissioners asked about cost estimates for E Street design, the status of East Street improvements relative to the Brickworks development, funding for rails-with-trails phase four, and the criteria for selecting new CIP projects. Commissioner Strawson raised a persistent concern about road connectivity on the east side, suggesting the need for a CIP to investigate and fund road extensions (e.g., 7th Street through to the airport area). Staff acknowledged the issue and noted that the city typically waits for development to trigger road construction but that some gaps may require city action. Commissioner Menelas requested the return of a previous map showing planned but unbuilt roads.

Key Outcomes

• Let's Move, Frederick: No vote was taken. Staff will revise the plan based on commissioner feedback, with emphasis on softening the parking minimums recommendation, extending the timeline, adding a concise executive summary with costs and timelines, and clarifying the relationship to other city studies (e.g., downtown streetscape). The revised plan will be brought back for a potential vote at a future meeting.
• CIP: No vote was taken. The discussion will inform the commission's recommendation letter to the Mayor and Board of Aldermen. Commissioners expressed interest in adding a study on east-side road connectivity to future CIPs and receiving additional information on funding sources for the conference center parking facility.