Two virtual open houses on the plan are scheduled for August.
Frederick, Md (KM) The public has the opportunity to review the first draft of the Sugarloaf Treasured Landscape Plan which is available on the Frederick County Government website. “Sugarloaf Mountain and the surrounding lands are remarkably beautiful, and they’re also rich in high quality natural resources and historic resources,” says Kimberly Golden Brandt, the Livable Frederick Director for the County’s Division of Planning and Permitting. “What we’re seeking to do with this plan is to chart a course for maintaining those characteristics and rural landscape for our continued enjoyment, and for appreciation and enjoyment of generations to come.”
The plan seeks to maintain the rural and scenic attributes of the area, and protects environmental resources. . Brandt says it has been under some development pressures. “We are proposing what’s called a zoning overlay. So it doesn’t change the underlying zoning but it just puts some controls in place so the scale of new development is appropriate for a rural area,” she says.
Citizens who want to learn more about the plan can participate in two virtual open houses scheduled for August 17th, and August 19th between 6:30 PM and 8:30 PM on both days. “This is just to make the public aware that there is a draft out there and we want to hear their comments, we want their feedback,” says Brandt. “So there’ll be a presentation by staff, and then we’ll just answer any questions folks have and hear people’s comments.”
To take part in the open houses, call 1-855-925-2810, and enter meeting code 9006. You can also watch a live stream at www.publicinput.com/A8632. Questions can be e-mailed to [email protected]. For more information on the plan, call Tim Goodfellow at 301-600-2508, or send an e-mail to [email protected].
A copy of the plan can be found at https://www.frederickcountymd.gov/8046/Sugarloaf-Area-Plan.
The plan is expected to go to County Planning Commission for a regular meeting on September 8th. The Commission will hold an all-day workshop on the Sugarloaf Treasured Landscape Management Plan on September 15th from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Brandt says both meetings will be open to citizens. A public hearing will take place before the Planning Commission votes on the plan, and sends it to the County Council.
Brandt says this is part of the Livable Frederick Master Plan process. She says Livable Frederick is a policy document. “We would implement Livable Frederick through the development of plans like Sugarloaf, where we really do get down and look at a more focused area obviously than the entire county and do make some land use change recommendations and maybe some zoning change recommendations as well,” she says.
By Kevin McManus