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Staff unveils Western Frederick Land Use Plan amendment after multi‑year public outreach
Summary
Planning staff presented a draft amendment consolidating three area plans into a single Western Frederick study‑area plan covering about 6,229 acres, emphasizing public outreach, policies to preserve rural and historic resources and guidance to concentrate growth within sewer/water service areas.
Planning staff presented the Western Frederick Land Use Plan amendment (item 7C) to the commission on Dec. 4, describing an effort to consolidate three existing area plans and to add a new study area encompassing roughly 6,229 acres across northern and western portions of the county.
Staff described outreach beginning in spring 2023 that included stakeholder meetings, 14 town halls, online surveys and multiple community touchpoints with agencies and organizations such as Frederick Water, VDOT, Parks and Recreation, Frederick County Public Schools, Shenandoah University and the local Chamber. The draft plan aims to preserve rural lands, natural and historic resources west of Route 37 while directing higher‑density growth into areas inside the county’s urban development boundaries and sewer/water service areas.
The presentation outlined sub‑area recommendations such as an urban center designation along Route 522 to encourage mixed‑use redevelopment and infill, and rural community center boundaries elsewhere to preserve rural character. Staff said technical implementation steps (including possible ordinance changes to facilitate new housing types) would follow plan adoption.
The commission thanked staff for extensive outreach and signaled they will continue review; the item remains under consideration and will return for additional deliberation and possible recommendation to the Board of Supervisors.
