Frederick County approves industrial zoning expansion after months of debate
The Investing in Workers and Workplaces plan passed in two 5–2 votes, including changes affecting 519 acres west of Frederick and nearly 200 acres along I-270.
HERE'S WHAT WE KNOW
IW2 passed Oct. 6 through two 5–2 council votes. About 519 acres near Jefferson Pike west of Frederick were rezoned from agriculture to Light Industrial. Nearly 200 acres along I-270 will become almost entirely General Industrial. The adopted package was reduced following public hearings and reviews by the Planning Commission and County Council.
Frederick County has approved a land-use package that expands industrial zoning in several growth areas, following a debate over business opportunities, infrastructure and the future of rural land.
The County Council passed the Investing in Workers and Workplaces plan, known as IW2, on Tuesday, Oct. 6, in two 5–2 votes, according to The Frederick News-Post. One vote amended the county’s zoning code; the other amended its comprehensive plan.
The package includes Light Industrial, General Industrial and other employment zoning changes, along with some residential changes, across six community growth areas.
The largest affected area lies near Jefferson Pike, immediately west of Frederick city. Approximately 519 acres were rezoned from agriculture to Light Industrial: 326 acres in the Mount Zion Subdistrict around Mount Zion and Cap Stine roads, and 193 acres in the Jefferson Tech Subdistrict bordering U.S. 15 and Interstate 70.
Nearly 200 acres along the I-270 corridor will shift from a combination of Light Industrial and Office/Research/Industrial zoning to almost entirely General Industrial, the newspaper reported.
The adopted package is smaller than earlier proposals. The Planning Commission removed hundreds of acres after public hearings where residents raised concerns about infrastructure demands and the loss of rural character. The council made additional reductions before final passage.
Council President Brad Young, Vice President Kavonté Duckett and members Renee Knapp, M.C. Keegan-Ayer and Mason Carter supported the plan. Jerry Donald and Steve McKay opposed it.
Donald unsuccessfully sought to return the package to the Planning Commission and replace it with a series of smaller area plans. He argued that major land-use decisions should wait for the council elected in November and that more information about infrastructure and geography was needed.
McKay also questioned the urgency. Supporters countered that the sitting council remained responsible for making decisions through the end of its term.
Keegan-Ayer said future small-area plans would refine the broader changes. She also cited accounts from county planning and economic development staff of businesses unable to find appropriately zoned land for expansion.
WHAT IT MEANS
The votes change the county’s framework for where employment and other development may occur. They do not mean that every affected parcel has an approved construction project. The debate over roads, infrastructure and the character of surrounding communities will remain relevant as more detailed plans and development proposals are considered.
Original reporting referenced by Everything Frederick:
The Frederick News-Post — Reporting by Erik Anderson. Adapted from the supplied article. →Want more Frederick updates like this?
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