Developer seeks code change to allow first‑floor residential in large MU1/MU2 projects; commission raises design, activation and amendment questions

Frederick, Md. — An applicant team representing Greenberg Givens asked the City of Frederick Planning Commission on Sept. 15 to change the Land Management Code so vertical mixed‑use buildings in MU1 and MU2 districts could include residential units on the ground floor for large projects.

“No, we're suggesting that the... city legislature consider adding a reference to residential as being permitted on the First Floor,” said attorney Noel Manalo, who introduced the text‑amendment concept on behalf of the applicant. The proposal would amend Table 8‑38‑1 in Section 8‑38 to allow residential on the First Floor in MU1 and MU2 buildings where a site plan covers more than three acres.

Why it matters

Commissioners and the applicant said the change is intended to make large mixed‑use redevelopment projects — the team repeatedly cited the Brickworks parcel as an example — more flexible and to allow design approaches that combine retail, service and residential uses on the same ground floor where appropriate. Staff and commissioners cautioned that adding residential on first floors has potential impacts for street…