Planning Commission backs rezoning at 300 Scotty’s Bus Lane for youth center

The Frederick City Planning Commission on Aug. 11 voted unanimously to recommend that the City Council rezone 300 Scotty’s Bus Lane — a 1.35-acre parcel adjacent to McCurdy Field and the Boys & Girls Club — from General Commercial to the Institutional Floating Zone to allow a recreation/social services youth center.

Staff told the commission the building, previously used by Frederick County as warehouse space and accepted by the city as a donation, is already classified on the city’s use table as a “recreation, social services center.” Staff recommended rezoning to the institutional floating zone to reduce nonconforming setbacks, reflect the city’s ownership and encourage public use. The staff report said the rezoning is for a nonresidential use and “will not generate additional population”; public-facility access will be evaluated during the site-plan process. Commissioners asked procedural questions and took no issue with staff’s recommendation.

Jeremy Holder, trustee for Ochsroman Family Foundation (the applicant’s partner) and representing Ochsroman Properties, described the proposed program and community outreach. He said the foundation convened more than 60 nonprofit providers, formed a smaller programming group and prioritized youth voice through the Frederick Youth Council. “The facility is a hub-and-spoke model,” Holder said, adding that program areas under discussion include behavioral health, physical wellness and workforce development. He told the commission the foundation is about 95% of the way to securing building funds and is seeking grants for furnishings and parkland improvements to complete the fit-out.

Commissioners discussed security and age range. Holder said outdoor parkland will remain open but an immediately adjacent patio will be fenced and visible from the staffed secure entrance; indoor bike storage with monitored access was requested by the youth. He estimated the center would primarily serve older youth, roughly ages 12 to 24.

Motion and outcome: Commissioner Valencia moved to recommend approval to City Council; Commissioner Manelas seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Next steps: The Planning Commission’s action is a recommendation; the City Council will consider the zoning map amendment at public hearings. If council approves, site-plan review will follow and will include detailed evaluations of parking, parking lot integration with South End Park, stormwater and public-facility adequacy.

Why it matters: The rezoning would regularize an existing civic use, enable the city and partner nonprofits to adapt the building for youth services, and concentrate multiple providers and youth-focused programming on a site adjacent to established recreation assets.