Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning commission grants 1‑year extension for Frederick Commerce Center Lot 1; applicant signals data‑center zoning effort
Summary
Commission approved a one‑year extension for the approved Frederick Commerce Center Lot 1 final site plan, while the applicant confirmed it is also pursuing a zoning text amendment to allow data centers though the extension applies only to the existing warehouse plan.
The Frederick City Planning Commission voted 4–0 to grant a one‑year extension of final site plan PC22‑1016FSI for Frederick Commerce Center Lot 1, a previously approved ~1,000,000 square‑foot warehouse/logistics facility, after staff recommended a one‑year term to allow the applicant additional time to monitor pending legislation and market conditions.
Lisa Lawler, attorney for the applicant, told the commission the extension request is intended to preserve the applicant’s approved warehouse plan while they continue to seek a user: “This extension really is being requested because of current market dynamics. My client has not identified a user for this site yet, and building a warehouse on spec is not feasible.”
Applicant Patrick Myers of Trammell Crow Company described millions invested toward the approved warehouse and said the company is marketing the lot for a warehouse tenant. He and the applicant’s attorney also disclosed that the applicant has filed a zoning text amendment that would establish data centers as a permitted use and create a regulatory framework for them. Lawler stressed to the commission that the extension does not permit building a data center under the existing warehouse approval and “does not represent planning commission support for the data center use at this time.”
Commissioners pressed staff on the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO) status and whether a change in use would trigger new site plan review. Staff confirmed that any change in use (for example, conversion to manufacturing or data center) would require a new site plan and APFO retesting; current APFO certificates tied to the preliminary plat remain valid through 2029 for the logistics warehouse assumptions. Commissioner Roby asked staff to consider the longer‑term implications of increased warehousing and diesel traffic and asked staff to return with policy recommendations on how the city evaluates additional warehousing demand.
After discussion, Commissioner Temple moved to approve a one‑year extension; the motion passed 4–0. Staff noted the applicant may request an additional extension later if needed but emphasized any change in use would require separate approvals.
