Frederick County Council cuts more acreage from IW2 zoning plan
HERE'S WHAT WE KNOW
The Planning Commission version involved more than 1,800 acres. Jefferson Pike industrial zoning was reduced. Roughly 200 acres near Urbana shifted from General Industrial to Light Industrial. Residential zoning near St. Paul’s Episcopal Church was removed. New Market commercial changes were removed. IW2 returns to the Council on Oct. 6.
Frederick County’s Investing in Workers and Workplaces, or IW2, plan has been reduced again as County Council members continue revising the rezoning proposal.
The Council cut industrial zoning near Jefferson Pike, changed a proposed General Industrial area near Urbana to Light Industrial, removed residential zoning next to a historic Point of Rocks church and eliminated proposed commercial changes near New Market.
The Planning Commission version forwarded to the Council included zoning changes covering more than 1,800 acres across six growth areas.
Council Member M.C. Keegan-Ayer introduced amendments cutting the recommended Light Industrial zoning near Jefferson Pike by roughly half. The amendments passed 5-2.
Council Member Steve McKay proposed removing the Jefferson Pike industrial zoning additions entirely, arguing infrastructure was not ready. That amendment failed.
Near Urbana, the Council approved a change affecting roughly 200 acres, shifting the proposal from General Industrial to Light Industrial.
The Council unanimously removed a residential zoning proposal next to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Point of Rocks following concerns about the historic church and graveyard.
It also removed proposed commercial zoning changes around New Market after the town asked the County to wait.
Council Member Jerry Donald said he intends to propose sending IW2 back to the Planning Commission when the Council takes it up again on Oct. 6.
WHAT IT MEANS
The proposal remains alive, but its final footprint is becoming smaller.
The remaining debate involves how much industrial land should be added, whether infrastructure can support it and whether the current Council should finalize the plan now.
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