Frederick Planning Commission Meeting - February 17, 2026
Frederick Planning Commission Meeting - February 17, 2026
The Frederick Planning Commission met on February 17, 2026, at 7:00 PM to discuss several agenda items including architectural review for new home models, a final subdivision plat, a front yard fence modification, the Capital Improvements Program (CIP) for FY27-32, and updates to the Commission's rules of procedure. Public comments were heard on the fence modification and CIP priorities.
Opening Remarks
- Planning Director recognized Pam for her years of service overseeing forest conservation plans and annual reporting to the state, noting her instrumental role and remarkable contribution.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Heather Goddard (Monoxy Village & East Frederick Rising) commented on the Rencorder fence modification, opposing front yard fences as potentially detracting from a pedestrian-friendly streetscape. She urged the Commission to prioritize open space connectivity and warned that the small front yards (250 sq ft) with restrictions might not encourage use. She also spoke during the CIP discussion, requesting continued advocacy for East Street redesign improvements and emphasizing the need to accelerate infrastructure to match projected growth. She asked for progress on the stream restoration in Ren Park, noting it was originally scheduled for completion in summer 2025.
Discussion Items
- Kellerton Land Bays C & E – Architectural Review (PC 13-195-14 PND): Edward Mangold (Keystone Custom Homes) presented five new home models and one new elevation for the Kellerton community. A modification was requested for small (2x2 ft) accent windows in attic gables that did not meet the design guide's 1:1.5 proportion requirement; the applicant stated these are non-functional dummy windows. Commissioner Robey questioned the exclusion of Hardy Plank siding from approved materials; applicant noted it could be considered through an internal review process. No public comments were received. The Commission asked for staff comments to be addressed before the next hearing.
- Thomas Pemberton Platt – Final Subdivision Plat (EC25-603 FSU): Jim Zanelli (Fox & Associates) presented a consolidation plat to merge two lots after demolition of an existing house. Commissioner Robey raised concerns about the demolition process: the applicant removed a stone facade after HPC recommended historic overlay consideration but before designation was finalized. Staff clarified that the property owner acted within legal rights since no overlay was in effect. Commissioner Temple asked about precedent and noted the Commission's unease with the sequence. No public comments. The item was continued to the next hearing.
- Rencorder Phase Three Revision – Front Yard Fences (PC 25-608 & PC 25-609): Karen McJunkin (Ren Quarter TH LC) requested a modification to allow 48-inch front yard fences on all rear-load integral townhouses. After staff recommended limiting to 36 inches and only on units fronting Monroe Avenue and amenity areas, the applicant agreed to 36 inches and proposed adding two more blocks (fronting Minocase and near stormwater pond). Discussion included enforcement by property management, use of synthetic turf, and visual breaks along long fence runs. Commissioner Temple asked for renderings showing open space proximity. Staff expressed concern about precedent and confusion for future homeowners. Public comment from Heather Goddard opposed fences. No final vote; applicant to return with additional renderings.
- Fiscal Year 2027-2032 Capital Improvements Program (CIP): Gabrielle (Planning) and Zach Krishner (COO) presented an update. Key projects discussed: East Street improvements (design funding requested), downtown streetscape, Rails with Trails phases (phase 3 bridge design underway, phase 4 at 30% design), West Side Regional Park Community Center (expected opening 2027), sidewalk retrofit study (survey complete, report spring 2026), and flood mitigation projects (Motor Avenue under construction, downtown design wrapping up). Commissioner Robey emphasized the need for a Streets Master Plan to address future traffic from infill development and requested early community involvement in the pedestrian bridge design. Commissioner Temple prioritized function and safety over beautification, especially for East Street north of Fifth. Both commissioners expressed support for continued funding for East Street improvements. Public comment from Heather Goddard urged prioritization of East Frederick projects and stream restoration.
- Rules of Procedure Update: Gabrielle presented the final draft with changes including updated liaison role (city council member no longer voting, not bound by same ex parte rules), requirement for recused members to leave the room (added based on public comment), cross-examination language aligned with city council rules, and formation of special committees needing mayoral resource approval. Commissioner Temple requested adding succession language for officers (chair, vice chair, secretary) to cover absences. The Commission agreed to include that language and aim for adoption at the next meeting.
Key Outcomes
- Kellerton architectural review: Continued pending staff comment responses.
- Thomas Pemberton subdivision plat: Continued to next hearing.
- Rencorder fence modification: Continued; applicant to provide renderings of open space and fence details.
- CIP: No formal vote; Commission will incorporate discussion into a recommendation letter to the Mayor and City Council.
- Rules of Procedure: Final language to be reviewed with succession addition; adoption scheduled at next meeting.
Meeting Transcript
For each item on our agenda, we will start the conversation with the applicant by having them come up to the front table and walk us through their project. For those of you new to the process, we do ask that you provide a thorough overview of your application, specifically addressing any modifications that you will be requesting. Following the applicant presentation, the commission will then ask any questions of the applicant. Then we will ask staff to add their comments on the application, followed by the Commission questions and comments to staff. After the staff presentation, we may go back to the applicant for additional questions. And if needed, go back to the applicant and our staff with additional questions. Anyone wishing to make public comments is asked to sign up on the sheet provided at the table just inside the door. And when taking public comment, we will invite people up in the order on the sign-up sheet. Then anyone who's not who has not signed up will be given the opportunity to comment. Before beginning public comments, please give your name and address. Public comments will be limited to three minutes, and you will be able. Uh not only do we review forest conservation plans that you see here, but we have an annual reporting responsibility to the state uh that tracks all of the activity, and Pam has been the overseer of that for many, many years. She's been instrumental in the uh the coordination of that program through the planning process to overseeing uh how it all works through and then ultimately ends up with um easements placed on properties and and keeping track of those and managing that. So it's been a remarkable contribution, and I just want to recognize her for that and her day-to-day work and her amazing uh attitude and um sense of responsibility for the city. So with that, just wanted to send a special appreciation uh to Pam for her years of service. Thank you, Pam. Okay. Uh we're gonna go ahead and get started with Kellerton Land Bay's C and E, PC 13-195-14 PND architectural review. Is the applicant here? Great, thank you. Uh good afternoon, commissioners. Uh, my name is Edward Mangold. I'm representing Keystone Custom Homes today. Uh we brought before you a request for approval of five new home models uh to be offered at the Kellerton community in land base C and E. Uh those are our actively selling uh land bays. Uh so we have five new models with multiple elevations per model, and then one preexisting model with a new elevation uh that we're bringing before you today. Uh there were some comments from staff that uh one of them at initial design review committee. It was noted that there's a small uh accent window on a couple of the elevations that is approximately two foot by two foot, which does not uh meet the traditional one to one and a half or one and a half to one proportion recommended by the design uh guide. Uh we requested a modification to that language, as these windows are purely uh accent windows to the general elevation of the home. Every other uh window on the front elevation uh sides uh comply with that. And we include those oftentimes in areas that are small uh small rooms or even closets on a front elevation to give elevational diversity to the to the streetscape that is the house is being built within. Um additionally, there were a couple of comments that I can address either now or uh following uh staff comments. I will leave that to how you wish to uh to handle those. Um if you prefer, I can walk you through each elevation. Would you like me to do that? Okay. Thank you for bringing those up. Uh the first is the Devonshire Normandy. Uh the Devonshire has multiple elevations already being built throughout the Kellerton communities. The Normandy is a new uh updated elevation uh to one that we weren't including previously. Uh this has the kind of country English country cottage uh style that's been promoted within the Kellerton community overall. Thank you. Uh it is uh it has a similar elevation to our already approved manor elevation. Uh of course, within the Kellerton community, we are we have designated high visibility uh lots where the for instance where it the home is at the end of an intersection or along a main road and which each of the elevations offers a high visibility alternative to provide at least 50% masonry on the front. We also address high visibility sides, which can also occur when a side elevation abuts a street or an open area where we will be providing a mixture of additional windows, uh potentially uh additional landscaping in concert with additional stone water table, depending on if it's a high visibility corner lot or typically just a high visibility lot. Uh of the Normandy would be the sixth of the Devonshire elevations. I can continue through or allow questions at each. I'll just want to ask a question. But keep going. Okay, thank you.
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