Frederick City Council considers annexation proposal for Safeway property owners

The Frederick Planning Commission Workshop on May 19, 2025, focused on a proposed annexation of the Safeway property, owned by trusts represented by AJ and Renu Prakash. The meeting featured insights from Bruce Dean of McCurdy, Dean and Gratitude, and Chris Merrigan of Harris Merrigan Associates, who outlined the significance of this annexation within the city's growth framework.

The property in question is located in Tier 2 of Frederick City's comprehensive plan, a designation that has been in place for approximately 20 years. This long-anticipated annexation is also tied to the Potomac River Water Service Agreement between the city and Frederick County, which facilitates water provision to the area.

A key point of discussion was the shift in expectations regarding density for new annexations. The 2021 comprehensive plan emphasizes higher density, prompting the proposal for an R-16 density classification for the Safeway property. This change reflects the city's strategic direction to accommodate growth, particularly given the property's proximity to the Braddock Heights interchange on I-70.

The proposal aims to align with the city's goals for future development, as previous annexations have highlighted the need for increased density. The Planning Commission will continue to evaluate this proposal in light of the city's growth objectives and community needs.