Commission approves Corner at Willowdale site plan and forest plan with parking and lighting modifications

The Frederick City Planning Commission unanimously approved a combined preliminary plat and final site plan for the Corner at Willowdale, a 13‑townhouse development, including two requested modifications to the Land Management Code for parking and parking‑lot lighting. The commission also approved the project's preliminary forest conservation plan and a related tree‑removal modification.

Sharon Kemper Suarez, the case planner, told the commission the project proposes 13 fee‑simple townhouses at the southeast intersection of Shookstown and Willowdale Road, and requested two modifications: additional HOA guest parking and allowance for minor light spillage. Suarez said the site meets lot standards, density and setbacks and that the MPDU ordinance does not apply because the proposal has fewer than 25 units.

On parking, staff and the applicant explained on‑street parking is not permitted on either Willowdale or Shookstown and the applicant attempted to secure shared parking with the nearby Elks Club but was refused. The developer requested five additional onsite HOA guest spaces (increasing the on‑site total from 39 to 44) to avoid burdening surrounding streets. Staff recommended approval and the commission approved the modification unanimously.

On lighting, the applicant proposed low‑profile fixtures and additional evergreen buffering where photometric modeling showed minor spillage (the modeling does not account for vegetation). Staff recommended approval of a modification to allow minimal spillage, conditioned on evergreen buffer plantings and a reduction in fixture count; the commission approved that modification unanimously.

Suarez also presented the project's preliminary forest conservation plan. The site contains about 0.54 acres of forest and 15 specimen trees; the applicant proposed street‑tree credits and a fee‑in‑lieu for the remainder. The commission approved a modification to retention priorities to allow removal of up to six specimen trees (the applicant said it will attempt to save four of those using advanced arboricultural techniques) and approved the PFCP, both votes unanimous.

The commission then approved the combined preliminary plat and final site plan for PC 23-672 PSUFSI with conditions the staff read into the record, including final plat recordation for a related prior addition plat, updating APFO certificate dates, a sealed landscape plan, and approval of a fee in lieu of parkland dedication. Staff confirmed adequate facilities are available for water, sewer, roads and schools and that the project complies with stormwater requirements.

Applicant representatives told the commission the site will retain the existing playground for homeowners, connect utilities primarily from Shookstown, and manage stormwater with ESDs and an underground system tied to the existing network. The applicant also said they will plant evergreen screening (green giant arborvitae and red cedar) intended to establish sufficient screening within a few years.

Votes at a glance

- Modification to Table 607-1 to allow five additional HOA guest parking spaces (total on-site 44): Approved (unanimous). - Modification to Section 607.e.2.d to allow minor parking lot light spillage with mitigation: Approved (unanimous). - Combined preliminary plat and final site plan PC 23-672 PSUFSI (Corner at Willowdale): Approved with conditions (unanimous). - Modification to Section 7.21.D.2 to allow removal of up to six specimen trees: Approved (unanimous). - Preliminary forest conservation plan for Corner at Willowdale (PC 23-673 PFCP): Approved (unanimous).

Staff listed standard technical conditions and required recording steps; the developer must record the addition plat that provided the base map, update plat notes with APFO and community meeting dates, and submit a signed and sealed landscape plan.