Frederick Planning Commission Meeting - March 24, 2026
Frederick Planning Commission Meeting - March 24, 2026
Note: The transcript states the meeting as March 9, 2026, but the supplied metadata indicates the meeting date is March 24, 2026. The summary uses the supplied date.
The Frederick Planning Commission held a hearing on March 24, 2026, at 6:00 PM. The meeting covered approval of minutes, a continuance, the 2026–2027 calendar, the Capital Improvements Program (CIP) recommendation, and numerous site plan and zoning text amendment items. All votes were 4-0 unless otherwise noted.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes: The Commission approved the minutes of the February 9, 2026, Planning Commission meeting, the February 17, 2026, workshop, and the March 6, 2026, pre-Planning Commission meeting. All passed unanimously.
- Continuance (PC 25-248 ZTA): A zoning text amendment concerning convenience stores with gas sales and gas stations was continued to the April 13, 2026, hearing to allow staff more analysis time. Approved unanimously.
- 2026–2027 PC Schedule: The Commission approved the final schedule for the upcoming year, which includes earlier publication of agendas and staff reports. Unanimous approval.
Public Comments & Testimony
- CIP Discussion: Heather Goddard of East Frederick Rising urged the Commission to prioritize painted walking zones on East Street, citing safety and lower cost compared to full redesign. She noted that the Active Mobility Advisory Committee (AMAC) recommended such improvements.
- ADU Zoning Text Amendment: Several residents spoke against removing the owner-occupancy requirement. Meta Nash (city resident) argued it would invite investor-buyers and change neighborhood character. Linda Dove (city resident) detailed high construction costs (~$300,000 for an 800 sq. ft. ADU), questioning affordability. Steve Jacobsick (Market Street) echoed concerns about investment opportunities undermining affordable housing goals. Ann Ryan (Frederick Housing Solutions Task Force) supported ADUs as part of a broader housing strategy but noted zero permits in five years. Kate McDermott (Klein Boulevard) opposed removing owner-occupancy and suggested lot-size-based ADU limits rather than a flat 800 sq. ft. threshold.
Discussion Items
- Capital Improvements Program (CIP) Recommendation: The Commission discussed prioritizing projects for the FY2027–2032 CIP. Commissioner Temple highlighted the AMAC letter and suggested de-emphasizing downtown streetscape in favor of functional improvements. Commissioner Buono supported easy wins like bike markings. Commissioner Robey wanted more specificity on budgets and schedules. After public comment, the Commission voted to recommend a letter prioritizing completion of East Street rails-with-trails, evaluating striped sidewalks on East Street (if safe), maintaining other priorities from the 2026 letter, and de-emphasizing downtown streetscape. Unanimous.
- Frederick Commerce Center Lot 1 (PC 22-1016 FSI): The applicant requested a two-year extension of the final site plan for a 1 million sq. ft. warehouse. Staff recommended one year. The applicant cited market conditions and pending data center legislation. Public commenter opposed extension, calling it a speculative approach. The Commission approved a one-year extension, finding it sufficient time to proceed. Unanimous.
- Sycamore Springs Multifamily Architecturals (PC 22-51406 PND): Approval of a modification to allow square windows (1:1 ratio) and approval of architectural elevations for six 16-unit condo buildings (affordable housing in the low $300,000s). Both actions approved unanimously. The Commission suggested evaluating a code change to accommodate such window modifications.
- Sycamore Springs Multifamily Final Site Plan (PC 25-580 FSI): Approval of four modifications (access points, lighting spillover, level 2 buffer reduction, level 1 buffer waiver) and the final site plan for 96 multifamily units. All actions approved unanimously with conditions including adding APFO exemption date and correcting code references.
- 40 West Booster Pump Station Replacement (PC 25-487 FSI): Final site plan for a city utility building. Approved with condition to provide libra and folio of recorded access easement. Unanimous.
- Floor and Decor Addition (PC 25-401 FSI): Final site plan for a 7,580 sq. ft. addition to a former Joann's fabric store. Approved with condition to show fire department connection on utility drawings. Unanimous.
- Costco Addition (PC 25-579 FSI): Approval of a modification to reduce parking from 644 to 575 spaces (using off-site employee parking) and final site plan for a 5,931 sq. ft. addition. Both actions approved unanimously with conditions.
- West Ridge Square (PC 25-403 PSU/FSI & PC 25-404 PFCP): A complex mixed-use redevelopment of a shopping center including 119 multifamily units. Approval of five modifications (street detail, bicycle parking, parking setback, two landscape buffers), combined preliminary plat and final site plan, and preliminary forest conservation plan. All actions approved unanimously. Condition added to consider renaming Riverstone to Hillcrest Drive.
- ADU Zoning Text Amendment (PC 25-614 ZTA): The Commission considered proposed amendments to Section 802 of the Land Management Code regarding accessory dwelling units. The three main changes addressed parking, owner-occupancy, and maximum size. After extensive discussion and public comment, the Commission voted to recommend approval with modifications: (1) in DB, DBO, and DR zones, no additional parking shall be required if parking is removed for an ADU; (2) retain the owner-occupancy requirement; (3) recommend the council evaluate a time-based deed restriction to prevent investor exploitation. Unanimous.
Key Outcomes
- All minutes, calendar, and continuance approved unanimously.
- CIP recommendation letter approved with specific prioritizations.
- Frederick Commerce Center extension: 1-year approval (4-0).
- Sycamore Springs architecturals and site plan: all modifications and approvals (4-0).
- 40 West Booster Pump Station: final site plan approved (4-0).
- Floor and Decor addition: final site plan approved (4-0).
- Costco addition: parking modification and site plan approved (4-0).
- West Ridge Square: all seven actions approved (4-0).
- ADU ZTA: recommended to City Council with modifications (4-0).
Meeting Transcript
Okay, it is 6 p.m. and we're gonna go ahead and get started. We have a pretty large agenda this evening. So welcome to the March 9th, 2026 Planning Commission hearing of the City of Fredericks Planning Commission. Before we begin tonight's proceeding, I'd like to give a little background of the Planning Commission and the procedures that we will follow this evening. Members of the Planning Commission are all residents of the city and are volunteers appointed by the mayor and board of aldermen, now known as City Council. The Commission is made up of five regular members and one alternate. Its powers and duties are assigned by the Charter of the City of Frederick and described in Section 202 of the Land Management Code. All of tonight's cases have been appropriately advertised pursuant to Section 301 of the Land Management Code, and cases tonight will be presented to the Planning Commission in the following format. Introduction of the case, presentation of the case, and initial recommendation by staff, commission questioning of staff, applicant or authorized agent remarks regarding the case, commission questioning of the applicant, public comment, applicant response to public comment, commission discussion and questions, and finally commission action. In support of the Planning Commission, staff members from the city's planning, engineering, and legal departments are all in attendance. Anyone wishing to speak publicly tonight regarding any application, including members of the public, must be sworn in prior to giving their comments. All speakers must begin their comments by providing their name and general address for the record. Members of the public will have three minutes to give comments, and anyone representing a group will have 10 minutes to give comments. The timer clock will show you your remaining time. At this time, everyone planning to give testimony tonight, please stand and raise your right hand to be sworn in. 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, answer I do. All right. Thank you. Good evening. On our regular announcements, we will have the Planning Commission workshop at 2 p.m. on Monday, March the 16th at 2 p.m. in this room. Later that evening, we will have the citywide community outreach meeting at 6 p.m. Also in this room. The materials for both of those will be posted online and streamed. We have a couple of additional announcements this evening. The planning department will be presenting an introduction to the East Street Corridor form-based code at this coming Thursday, March 12th City Council work session, which is held at City Hall and begins at 6 p.m. It's also streamed on the public meetings page. The purpose is to provide a basic overview of what the FBC that's form-based code consists of and the steps that we have taken thus far in the process. And finally, on our last announcement, we'd like to congratulate Commissioner John Temple for his appointment and present him with a certificate. That is all. Thank you. Okay, next on the agenda we have approval of minutes. So I'll be looking for a motion for the approval of the February 9th Planning Commission minutes. I move for the approval of the February 9th, 2026 Planning Commission meeting minutes. Seconded. Okay. That is a motion by Commissioner Buono, a second by Commissioner Temple. All in favor. Aye. Aye. So that is an approval of the February 9th, 2026 Planning Commission minutes. Next, I'm looking for a motion for approval of the February 17th, 2026 Planning Commission workshop minutes. Motion to approve the February 17, 2026 Planning Commission workshop minutes. Second. That is a motion by Commissioner Temple, a second by Commissioner Roby. All in favor? Aye.
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