Washington Freedom proposes cricket grounds at Frederick Gateway; plan seeks IST rezoning and reduces annexation parkland dedication

Attorneys, engineers and team ownership for the Washington Freedom outlined a proposal to convert part of the annexed I‑70 driving range property into a special‑event cricket facility during the Planning Commission workshop on April 21.

Bruce Dean, attorney for the landowner group, said the parcel is roughly 50 acres and the rezoning application seeks to designate about 24 acres as IST (Institutional Floating Zone) for a special events/fairgrounds use to accommodate cricket matches and associated staging. Dean emphasized the applicant intends an initially low‑profile stadium: temporary stands and a large lawn area for spectators rather than a massive permanent arena. "We're not talking about M and T Bank Stadium ... this is, more along the lines of, at least initially, it's gonna be along the lines of a professional golf tournament," he said.

The Washington Freedom ownership said a typical match draw would be in the 6,000–10,000 range; the staff report noted the site could accommodate up to 25,000 in extraordinary circumstances. The team and consultants described a parking and arrival strategy reliant on organized off‑site parking and shuttle buses (examples discussed included the fairgrounds, Harry Grove Stadium parking, the FSK mall and regional park‑and‑ride locations) to minimize on‑site impervious area. Traffic consultant Joe Calajero said initial outreach with the fairgrounds and Harry Grove indicated potential availability by agreement, and that the applicant is exploring other off‑site options including mall lots and school lots.

The proposal also requests an amendment to the 2009 annexation agreement: the developers propose reducing the previously offered 16 acres of floodplain parkland dedication to six acres because roughly 10 of those acres must be used on‑site to place the playing field and associated grading. The applicant said it will continue to provide riverfront pedestrian/path improvements, a boat launch and a pavilion as part of the parkland improvements; staff asked the applicants to coordinate closely with Parks and Recreation on the form and extent of those improvements.

Because the field and surrounding grading interact with the Monocacy River floodplain, the applicant submitted an initial FEMA study and said it will proceed with MDE and FEMA reviews; the applicant argued their study shows filling the floodplain finger on the property would not increase flood elevations on neighboring properties. The applicant also said it has secured initial FAA input for lighting heights and coordination with the Frederick Municipal Airport; FAA review is ongoing.

Commissioners questioned parking, access and downstream drainage; staff and the applicant said culvert undersizing under Old Camp Road and limited downstream capacity are contributors to localized backup and that fee‑in‑lieu stormwater funds could be pooled for CIP projects but that an individual project’s payment rarely covers major corridor improvements alone.

Public comment included support and requests for clear park path connections and amenities along the Monocacy River; staff said more detailed floodplain exhibits, a traffic/parking operations plan and a parks‑and‑rec coordination report will be required at hearing.

Next steps: the applicant will provide detailed site plans, FEMA/MDE exhibits, a traffic/parking operations plan showing off‑site agreements or commitments, and a parks‑and‑rec coordination plan; the rezoning and annexation amendment will proceed to formal hearings per the city’s process.