Frederick Planning Commission Workshop – June 17, 2024
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Frederick Planning Commission Workshop – June 17, 2024
The Planning Commission convened on June 17, 2024, at 2:00 P.M. to review four development applications. The workshop focused on site plans, forest conservation plans, and modifications. No formal votes were taken; all items will return for further consideration. Staff announced that the annual report will be presented at the July meeting using a new state-mandated format.
Hood College East Campus Parking Expansion (PC23-1306FSCB, PC23-1305FSI)
- Applicant: Derck & Edson, LLC, representing Hood College.
- Project: Permanent parking expansion to replace lost spaces from a 2020-2021 dorm project. Includes 21 new spaces, improved circulation, lighting, fire access, and stormwater management. Modifications requested: (1) reduction of one parking row to save an existing red maple, (2) removal of one specimen tree, and (3) lighting spillage at the intersection of Park and Fifth. The original plan for porous paving was changed to impervious paving with surface stormwater treatment.
- Commission Discussion: Commissioners noted the need for clearer tree identification in the staff report. A question about non-structural stormwater practices was clarified. The college confirmed future electric vehicle conduit installation. Staff noted that the parking reduction for compact cars will require signage in improvement plans.
- Public Comment: None.
- Outcome: The item will be revised to clarify tree removal details and return for a future vote.
B&O Properties Lot 7 (PC24-70SFSI)
- Applicant: Terra Solutions Engineering, representing the owner/developer.
- Project: Five four-story condo townhomes on a lot created from six existing townhouse lots. The original commercial designation was corrected to residential. The lot fronts Water Street; vehicular access is via an existing easement. No modifications requested. The design includes private garden plots, a street light, and street trees. The architecture was reviewed by the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) and is pending Level 1 approval.
- Commission Discussion: Questions addressed parking arrangements for existing homeowners (an easement prohibits parking in the rear yard), the stormwater management garden plots, and maintenance responsibilities via a condo association. The design was praised for its corner lot treatment and pedestrian entrance.
- Public Comment: Kevin Sellner of Citizens for Responsible Growth urged that the top-floor facade material (metal) and balconies/garages not be permitted, arguing they are inconsistent with the Carroll Creek Linear Park character. The applicant responded that the metal was suggested by the HPC and that the top floor is recessed.
- Outcome: The project will proceed to a future meeting for a vote after HPC final approval.
404-420 East Patrick Street (PC23-1411FSI, PC23-1412FSCB)
- Applicant: Fox & Associates, representing contract purchaser Osherman Properties.
- Project: A five-story, 99-unit residential building with podium parking, 0.99 acres. Includes a pedestrian bridge to Carroll Creek, stormwater plantings on city-owned land, and a bus stop relocation. Five modifications requested: (1) street tree reduction on Wisner Street due to overhead utilities; (2) increased front setback on Wisner beyond the 2-foot maximum; (3) increased interior side setback (16 ft instead of 10 ft) to allow larger windows/balconies; (4) sky exposure plane modification due to overlapping zoning zones; (5) lighting spillage at the garage entrance.
- Commission Discussion: The design was praised for integrating with the creek and eliminating surface parking. Concerns were raised about the modern facade (fiber cement panels) on the creek side, with two commissioners expressing dislike and preferring brick. Other questions: bus stop covered shelter, primary entrance orientation, balcony types (Juliet balconies proposed), and consistency with Section 420 (Carroll Creek Overlay). Commissioners requested a high-level compliance table for the next meeting.
- Public Comment: Kevin Sellner reiterated concerns about design conformity with the linear park, suggesting the building would tower over Union Mills and that the architecture is too modern. He also noted that Juliet balconies are not typical in that area.
- Outcome: The item will be continued to the next month's agenda. The applicant will provide a modification compliance table and address architectural concerns.
Frederick Conference Center Hotel (PC24-199FSI, PC24-200FSCB)
- Applicant: Bohler Engineering, representing Plamondon Hospitality Group and Vermont Hospitality Group.
- Project: A 208-room hotel with 22,000 sq ft of conference space, restaurant, bar, and 2,600 sq ft retail building. Two underground parking levels (approximately 229 spaces, some public). The trolley building (Frederick News Post) rear portion will be demolished; the front portion retained and redeveloped separately. No modifications requested. The HPC has granted Level 1 approval for massing/height; Level 2 (materials) will follow. The project includes green roofs, streetscape improvements, and integration with Carroll Creek Linear Park (patios, terraces).
- Commission Discussion: Commissioners expressed mixed views on the architecture: two strongly disliked it as too modern and not fitting the Frederick character, while one liked it. Clarification was provided that the HPC will review the final materials at Level 2. Questions addressed the trolley building's separate redevelopment (confirmed to happen simultaneously), electric vehicle charging, APFO certificates (still in process), and landscaping details. Staff noted that street tree requirements on South Carroll Street need to be documented.
- Public Comment: Kevin Sellner reiterated the same concerns about the linear park facade, acknowledging that the final materials will be reviewed by HPC.
- Outcome: The project will return after APFO certificates are obtained and streetscape details are clarified. No vote was taken.
Key Outcomes
- All four items were discussed in workshop format; no formal votes occurred.
- Hood College East Campus Parking Expansion: Staff to revise tree removal details; returns for a vote.
- B&O Properties Lot 7: Proceeds to a future vote after HPC final approval.
- 404-420 East Patrick Street: Continued to next month; applicant to provide a compliance table and address architectural concerns.
- Frederick Conference Center Hotel: Continued pending APFO certificates and clarification of street tree requirements.
- The 2024 Annual Report will be presented at the July meeting using a new state format.
Meeting Transcript
Okay, good. Could they hear me though? Anybody speaking to date the meeting regarding any application that includes Apple staff and public. Please stamp this point and raise your right hand. Do you solidly swear or curve that the response is given and the statements made in the hearing point planning commission will be the whole truth and nothing but the truth, and so we have no idea. Gabrielle, before we get started, please the agenda. Do you have any announcements or anything you need to say? I do have one note that I'd like to make, and this is more for the commission's information. Of course, for the public as well. At our July meeting, we're going to be presenting our annual report that we usually do every year, and then that's a requirement under the state law that we submit to the state of Maryland. We're using a different format this year. The state has um changed their format in terms of reporting in order to provide more concise data in a manner that's extractable for their purposes. So the format that you're going to see in July is going to be a little bit different. Um but we'll discuss it and um then ask for the planning commission's approval of the annual report, and then we'll send it down to the state. So just want to give you a heads up that it's gonna look a little different, but hopefully um be an improvement in terms of the data. Thank you. Thank you. All right, so our first application for review is PC 23-1306 FSCB. Um the East or the Hood College East Campus Parking Expansion, and then PC 23 um 1305, the final site plan. Thank you. If you can introduce yourself. Good day. I'm Jim Wenker with Dirk and Edson representing Hook College. So uh we have two plans before you one a major site plan and one a forest uh stand and preliminary conservation plan for the uh parking expansion. The college is looking to uh create permanent parking for the parking that was lost as part of the um dorm project that was in 2020, 2021, somewhere a couple years ago. So right now they have a gravel lot that surrounds Carson and Strong cottages, and then a paved lot just south of the chapel currently. We'll be reworking the entire area to improve circulation, add 21 spaces, um, provide better fire access to the east side of Smith and Broadback Halls, uh, improve lighting, provide uh better access to and out of the parking areas, and improve safety and security. Stormwater management is a surface facility along the east side of the property uh along Hood Alley. Um we do, as part of the plan, have some modifications. Um for our parking area lighting, we have a little bit of spill right at the intersection of park and the college, and fifth and the college, it pretty much covers the crosswalk area, so it's not bleeding into adjacent properties. The new lighting will be in the parking lot, shoebox, down lighting, and then along the walkways we have pedestrian acorn lighting similar to what they have on campus. Uh we also have two um modifications, both really related to trees. Uh, one is asking for a reduction of one row of the parking stall size so we could save one of the existing large red maples, and then in the conservation uh forest conservation plan, we are removing one specimen tree in order to make all the parking fit into the space. I think in a nutshell that covers what we're trying to achieve. All right, thank you. Um let's start with Commissioner Lee. Do you have any questions? Comments. Um, no questions, no comments. It looks pretty straightforward. Thank you. Commissioner Beattie? No, thank you. Commissioner Manellus. Oh, yeah, thank you. Um, just really looking. Um, if you have a pointer with you, yes. Um, could you show me where um I know that on page four it talks about the six trees that will be relocated within the proposed area? Where is that gonna be? Can you point that out?
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