On March 22 at 5:30 pm the Frederick County Council will have it's first public hearing on the Sugarloaf Plan that has been transmitted (read on for the positive changes the Planning Commission made to the plan that is being submitted. ) Those wanting to send an email supporting the revised plan can do so here. Sugarloaf Alliance is submitting this letter of support. The State is reviewing the plan and it will come back to the Council for another public hearing on May 11 - mark your calendars now as this will be an in-person meeting.
Great News from our Neighbor to the North - Kai Hagen, at large council member in Frederick County, shared the following on March 2:
"Much more later, no doubt...but I am thrilled to share a quick, "hot off the press" announcement that, in the last hour, the Frederick County Planning Commission made a couple of decisions and approved the draft of the Sugarloaf Treasured Landscape Management Plan...WITH the expansion of the planning area in both of the areas (see the photo below) that were the subject of so much attention the last few months, AND with the application of the conservation district (overlay zone) over the entire area.
The approved draft will now go to:
1) The Maryland Department of Planning for a 60 day review, and...
2) The Frederick County Council
... simultaneously. In other words, the council can and will begin its review of the draft while it is also undergoing the state review.
Let me be as clear as I can be: This is a great plan! Before the recent changes (to expand the planning area and overlay district) it was already a great plan that happened to have a couple of flaws...that have now been fixed, so far, in my opinion.
The final word on this will be determined by four (or more) members of the county council.
Kudos to the administration and staff, the members of the Planning Commission, and the many many individuals and organizations that have actively and effectively engaged in the process to date!
The full plan is here.
More from the Sugarloaf Alliance
Background:
Fredco Planning Holds the Line on Carve-Outs that would weaken the Sugarloaf Region Protection Plan
Sugarloaf Area Zoning Changes in FredCo Cause Concern
"Much more later, no doubt...but I am thrilled to share a quick, "hot off the press" announcement that, in the last hour, the Frederick County Planning Commission made a couple of decisions and approved the draft of the Sugarloaf Treasured Landscape Management Plan...WITH the expansion of the planning area in both of the areas (see the photo below) that were the subject of so much attention the last few months, AND with the application of the conservation district (overlay zone) over the entire area.
The approved draft will now go to:
1) The Maryland Department of Planning for a 60 day review, and...
2) The Frederick County Council
... simultaneously. In other words, the council can and will begin its review of the draft while it is also undergoing the state review.
Let me be as clear as I can be: This is a great plan! Before the recent changes (to expand the planning area and overlay district) it was already a great plan that happened to have a couple of flaws...that have now been fixed, so far, in my opinion.
The final word on this will be determined by four (or more) members of the county council.
Kudos to the administration and staff, the members of the Planning Commission, and the many many individuals and organizations that have actively and effectively engaged in the process to date!
The full plan is here.
More from the Sugarloaf Alliance
Background:
Fredco Planning Holds the Line on Carve-Outs that would weaken the Sugarloaf Region Protection Plan
Sugarloaf Area Zoning Changes in FredCo Cause Concern
