1. Introduction of Ordinance G-26-7 to Rezone 24.33 +/- Acres on the East Side of the City, Being a Portion of the Gateway Property, from General Commercial to Institutional, to Establish a Special Events Center
Frederick City Council Members
My name is Carole Jaar Sepe, and I have been a Frederick County resident and a citizen activist for over 30 years. I have a Master’s Degree in Architecture with a concentration in Urban Planning and I have a passion for good community planning. I previously served for ten years on the Frederick County Planning Commission and before that for three years on the Board of Zoning Appeals. Although I am not representing either body today, that experience has given me a deep appreciation for the responsibility involved in rezoning decisions, and I commend you all for your diligence on the proposed rezoning.
What you need to decide isn’t whether this land will ever be or should be developed; this was already decided during the comprehensive planning process. The site is located within a designated growth area with access to transportation corridors. So the question is today what type of development will be best for the city and will create an enjoyable living experience for residents while limiting impacts. In my honest opinion, the Institutional Floating Zone (IST) with proposed event conditions is a less intensive use of the Gateway Property than many commercial uses already permitted as of right under its current GC zone.
Based on both my extensive planning experience and my perspective as a proud, long-standing resident, I believe the proposed rezoning deserves support. We know rezoning is not the end of the process, and there are critical steps ahead for the cricket park project, and your conditional approval will allow the project to move forward through the full review process, where the details can be examined, refined, and further conditioned if required by the planning commission.
I respectfully encourage the City Council to approve the rezoning and allow this vision for a community-oriented use of the property to move forward. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Not withstanding previous concerns, compliance with the LMC and City Ordinances with three pages of conditions screams “WRONG PLACE” for the use.
Support for Ordinance G-26-7
Frederick City Council Members
My name is Carole Jaar Sepe, and I have been a Frederick County resident and a citizen activist for over 30 years. I have a Master’s Degree in Architecture with a concentration in Urban Planning and I have a passion for good community planning. I previously served for ten years on the Frederick County Planning Commission and before that for three years on the Board of Zoning Appeals. Although I am not representing either body today, that experience has given me a deep appreciation for the responsibility involved in rezoning decisions, and I commend you all for your diligence on the proposed rezoning.
What you need to decide isn’t whether this land will ever be or should be developed; this was already decided during the comprehensive planning process. The site is located within a designated growth area with access to transportation corridors. So the question is today what type of development will be best for the city and will create an enjoyable living experience for residents while limiting impacts. In my honest opinion, the Institutional Floating Zone (IST) with proposed event conditions is a less intensive use of the Gateway Property than many commercial uses already permitted as of right under its current GC zone.
Based on both my extensive planning experience and my perspective as a proud, long-standing resident, I believe the proposed rezoning deserves support. We know rezoning is not the end of the process, and there are critical steps ahead for the cricket park project, and your conditional approval will allow the project to move forward through the full review process, where the details can be examined, refined, and further conditioned if required by the planning commission.
I respectfully encourage the City Council to approve the rezoning and allow this vision for a community-oriented use of the property to move forward. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Carole Jaar Sepe Jefferson MD