Frederick Planning Commission Workshop – April 21, 2025

The Frederick Planning Commission held a workshop on April 21, 2025, at 2:00 PM in City Hall, reviewing six agenda items and a postponed case. Commissioners heard presentations from applicants, received staff input, and allowed public comment on multiple proposals. No votes were taken; all items remain in workshop status for future hearings.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Grove Hill (Architectural Review): Bob Roby (East Second Street) expressed concern that the rendering did not adequately depict the site, noting lack of trees in backyards and questioned whether townhomes without yards would become the standard. Michael Banks (radio station adjacent) requested shielded wiring to prevent radio interference in new homes and asked that existing trees be protected during construction.
• Tuscarora Creek Phase 6: No public comment.
• 1435 W. Patrick Street: No public comment.
• Frederick Community College: No public comment.
• Frederick Gateway (Annexation & Zoning): Bob Roby asked about buffers between parking and proposed residential, control of the state park-and-ride on event days, and requested that the riverfront trail include public restrooms and planned facilities.
• Text Amendment (MU Phasing): No public comment.

Discussion Items

• Grove Hill (PC21-1010-05PND) – Architectural Review: The applicant (Nick Wade, Ryan Homes) presented 65 townhome units (24 end units at 20 ft wide, 41 interior at 16 ft wide) in four-, five-, and six-unit buildings. No modifications were requested. Staff noted the applicant must address Section 604C for multifamily design elements. The commission asked about clusters and alignment. Public comments raised concerns about tree preservation and radio interference.
• Tuscarora Creek Phase 6 (PC24-981PSU/FSI) – Combined Preliminary Plat & Final Site Plan: The applicant (Chris Mariga, Harris Smariga) presented 34 front-load townhomes, the final residential phase of an 847-unit subdivision. A modification was requested to allow 50-foot spacing for street trees due to driveway conflicts; compensating trees will be added. The project is subjected to APFO testing and requires 4 MPDUs (fee-in-lieu). Staff clarified that the shift from single-family to townhomes increased pupil generation, triggering APFO review.
• 1435 W. Patrick Street (PC24-760FSI / PC24-761FSCB) – Final Site Plan & Forest Conservation: The applicant (Sean Benchmanson, Adtek Engineers) proposed demolishing three homes and constructing a 12,000 sq ft commercial building (laundromat and three units). Floodplain constraints drove building placement along the street. Two modifications were requested: driveway separation distance (aligned with 7-Eleven driveway) and 1% reduction in interior green space (with off-site tree planting). Stormwater management quantitative requirements will be met via fee-in-lieu (less than $10,000). Staff supported modifications and noted the project complies with the Golden Mile Small Area Plan narrative. Commissioner Valencia expressed concern about existing flooding in the area.
• Frederick Community College (PC25-53FSI) – Final Site Plan: The applicant (Jim McArthur, RRMM Architects; Frank White, KCI Technologies) plans a 19,000 sq ft campus services building (LEED Silver) with maintenance facilities and offices. Three modifications were requested: parking (reduced because building is staff-only), lighting (spillover onto adjacent Fort Dietrich property), and bike racks (withdrawn – applicant will add racks near athletic fields). Staff required a fourth design element (of seven) to be provided, additional landscaping for parking lot screening, and lighting mitigation measures.
• Frederick Gateway (PC24-983ANX / PC24-984ZMA) – Annexation Amendment & Rezoning: The applicant (Bruce Dean, McCurdy Dean Gratz; Chris Mariga; Rohit Anand, Washington Freedom) seeks to lease 24 acres of a 50-acre site for a professional cricket stadium (special event center). The annexation resolution would be amended to reduce parkland dedication from 16 acres to 6 acres along the Monocacy River, with the city retaining a boat launch and trail. The zoning amendment would rezone the cricket area to IST (Institutional Floating Zone). Parking would be managed via off-site shuttles from locations such as the Fairgrounds, Harry Grove Stadium, and FSK Mall, with 500 on-site spaces. The applicant noted FEMA and MAA approvals in process. Commissioners discussed floodplain fill, traffic management, and the definition of a special event center.
• Text Amendment (PC25-55ZTA) – Section 417, Mixed Use Districts Phasing: The applicant (Philip Hummel, Matan Companies) proposes to replace the fixed 75-25 phasing requirement (25% commercial before exceeding 75% residential building permits) with a flexible system allowing applicants to propose their own phasing schedules, subject to review by the planning commission or city council. Previously approved projects could request staff-level modifications if no APFO impact. Commissioners expressed concerns about removing percentages entirely, potential unintended consequences (e.g., commercial never built), and the loss of planning commission oversight for administrative changes. Staff suggested providing a hypothetical case study and examples from other jurisdictions. The item will return for a hearing in June 2025.

Key Outcomes

• Postponed: Item 5 (The Galleria at Carroll Creek, PC24-934FSI) was postponed to May 19, 2025.
• Next Steps: All workshop items are expected to return for public hearings at future commission meetings. The text amendment (PC25-55ZTA) will be scheduled for a hearing in June 2025, with additional information to be provided by the applicant.
• No votes were taken. All items remain in workshop status.