1. Introduction of a resolution to amend Resolution 09-23 for the annexation of approximately 52 acres at the eastern boundary of the City, known as the Gateway Property.
Allen Schaeffer 6088 Edmont Drive Frederick MD
We urge that you reject the Resolutions on the Gateway project as they are inconsistent with the neighboring land use and because of failures of the planning process.
1. The justification is faulty – In its most recent comprehensive plan, the City has shown the property zoned as neighborhood mixed use, which further supports that a general commercial or institutional floating zone are incompatible uses with the surrounding area. 2 There are significant and outstanding items that the Council must weigh prior to making any recommendation
2. The factors behind the staff recommendation to accept $1,000,000 instead of the $500,000 for roadway improvements is unclear if any appointed Planning Commissioners were present for these negotiations involving a million dollars or only the staff and the Applicant?
3. The rezoning will negatively impact land, air, and water quality. From runoff to the Monocacy to increased air pollution, will increase emissions in the area. Frederick is part of the Washington DC airshed that according to US EPA as of June 30, is designated as Moderate Non-attainment for ozone pollution.
4. The impacts of noise and light pollution will be particularly concerning for the natural habitat of birds and other animals to the north and south of the subject property, as well as along the river. They will lose their natural habitat and be driven away.
Conclusion: The Frederick community is not crying out for a 25,000 seat capacity event complex for cricket or any other use. Existing sports facilities like Harry Grove Stadium are already underutilized and these are centrally located in the City. What the community is crying out about is crowded roads and schools, overdevelopment, and fundamentally changing the character and heritage of Frederick City and County . Approving this project ensures more of what we don’t want in a big way. The applicants for this property are a sports team that is affiliated in name and practice with Washington DC and have until now, no meaningful connection to this community. The principal beneficiaries of this project will not be the citizens of Frederick City, but we will bear all the burden of the traffic, increased noise, light pollution, environmental impacts, and other detrimental quality of life issues, while just erasing more of the greenspace and history.
I urge that you reject these Resolutions for both of these cases.
Allen Schaeffer 6088 Edmont Drive Frederick MD
We urge that you reject the Resolutions on the Gateway project as they are inconsistent with the neighboring land use and because of failures of the planning process.
1. The justification is faulty – In its most recent comprehensive plan, the City has shown the property zoned as neighborhood mixed use, which further supports that a general commercial or institutional floating zone are incompatible uses with the surrounding area. 2 There are significant and outstanding items that the Council must weigh prior to making any recommendation
2. The factors behind the staff recommendation to accept $1,000,000 instead of the $500,000 for roadway improvements is unclear if any appointed Planning Commissioners were present for these negotiations involving a million dollars or only the staff and the Applicant?
3. The rezoning will negatively impact land, air, and water quality. From runoff to the Monocacy to increased air pollution, will increase emissions in the area. Frederick is part of the Washington DC airshed that according to US EPA as of June 30, is designated as Moderate Non-attainment for ozone pollution.
4. The impacts of noise and light pollution will be particularly concerning for the natural habitat of birds and other animals to the north and south of the subject property, as well as along the river. They will lose their natural habitat and be driven away.
Conclusion: The Frederick community is not crying out for a 25,000 seat capacity event complex for cricket or any other use. Existing sports facilities like Harry Grove Stadium are already underutilized and these are centrally located in the City. What the community is crying out about is crowded roads and schools, overdevelopment, and fundamentally changing the character and heritage of Frederick City and County . Approving this project ensures more of what we don’t want in a big way. The applicants for this property are a sports team that is affiliated in name and practice with Washington DC and have until now, no meaningful connection to this community. The principal beneficiaries of this project will not be the citizens of Frederick City, but we will bear all the burden of the traffic, increased noise, light pollution, environmental impacts, and other detrimental quality of life issues, while just erasing more of the greenspace and history.
I urge that you reject these Resolutions for both of these cases.