Let's explore "the unintended" or "intended Consequences" of the Frederick County Planning Commission's adoption of the Sugarloaf Treasured Landscape Management Plan. The July 13th meeting where the plan was adopted should be a major concern of everyone who owns property in Frederick County. Watching the meeting on (FCGTV during a ten-minute span from 1:28 to 1:38), I was astounded as Commissioner Hix blatantly disregards the public testimony of the Frederick County Association of REALTORS®, myself, and many others over the effect the plan will have on property values. After the vote to adopt the plan, Commissioner Sepe, due to the serious flaws with the plan, asked that her name be removed from the plan prior to being sent to the County Council. It is quite evident the plan has been fast-tracked to the County Council.
As stated in my ~ previous post ~ this plan is riddled with property rights issues. It is inconsistent with the many goals of the Livable Frederick Master Plan. The consequences of the adopted plan that down zones parts of 125 parcels from agriculture to resource conservation and places an overregulated overlay on a majority of properties are alarming.
* The adopted plan will siphon uses and values from land owners.
* Comments to the Planning Commission indicate State priority funding for I-270 improvements will be removed if an overlay is imposed leaving a lifetime of gridlock to and from Frederick.
* The overlay proposes no grandfathering of existing uses or allowances for minor repairs. This will alter the future business plans of Stronghold Inc; the non-profit owner that preserves Sugarloaf Mountain , Lily Pons Water Gardens and The Maryland Horse Trials at Loch Moy Farm.
* If the adopted plan is approved by the County Council this will set a precedent for all subsequent area plans to follow. This should raise a red flag to all Frederick County farmers and landowners.
The local media for the most part has been silent on the consequences of the plan. I have been a guest on a couple of radio programs recently to sound the alarm.
WFMD / WFRE ~> The Four State Focus link to podcast
Your Frederick Real Estate Update ~ with Darren Ahearn & Terry Kernan
~Discussion on the Sugarloaf plan starts at 8:30 ~
FREDERICK COUNTY RESIDENTS TAKE ACTION:
SPEAK NOW! or live with the consequences
* Speak during public comment at an upcoming County Council Meeting or you can phone in a recorded message.
* Share this blog post with your friends and neighbors who live in Frederick County.
Before the sand runs out of the hourglass tell the County Council to "REMAND THE PLAN" back to the Planning Commission ahead of October 18th when the plan is slated to be adopted. It is critical for the first area plan to be done right to protect your property rights and Frederick County's future!
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