You're receiving this Sugarloaf Alliance newsletter because signed our Change.org petition. Thank you for that! We have nearly 1800 signatures so far supporting the Sugarloaf Treasured Landscape Management Plan.

1. This is the big one: PLEASE PLAN TO ATTEND the Sugarloaf Plan Hearing on 9/27 at 5:30pm.  On Tuesday, September 27, the County Council will hold their formal hearing on their amended version of the Sugarloaf Plan. This is the night when citizen comments are the primary focus of the meeting. An overflowing room of Sugarloaf preservation supporters, clad in green shirts, will tell a story like nothing else can. We’ll share more detailed information as the date approaches. For now, please mark your calendars and plan to attend if you believe the that this area is treasured landscape to be preserved.

There’s no going back: If commercial interests prevail, if the Council does not hold the boundary line at I-270 and/or does not fully support the preservation overlay, the west-side sprawl will begin. The Sugarloaf Plan becomes a development plan, not a preservation plan. 

County Council meetings are held in Winchester Hall in downtown Frederick, Maryland. See more info below.

2. Amendments to the Plan will be Introduced and Voted on at the 9/13 Council Workshop.  On 8/23, Council Member McKay proposed 14 amendments to the Sugarloaf Plan, which the Sugarloaf Alliance believes are appropriate or, at least, are acceptable compromises. Some are technicalities. One eliminates the “poison pill” amendment sentence on page 54. The other big one proposes to eliminate the Plan’s rezoning of steep slopes and waterways to “Rural Conservation.” That rezoning idea has caused a lot of confusion and consternation among affected property owners. We agree that a more individualized, micro-lens approach could be helpful. The public has had weeks to comment on Mr. McKay’s earlier proposals. As we write this, we are learning that Mr. McKay now has introduced four new amendments, which we have not had time to analyze. You can find all of the amendments introduced so far in the County Council 9/13 agenda.  

We still are concerned that other amendments may be added - among them, returning the Sugarloaf Plan boundary to Rt. 80. The Planning Commission recommended the I-270 boundary to the County Council and the Sugarloaf Alliance supports that recommendation. If you have not written to the Council Members lately supporting the I-270 boundary, please anticipate this potential amendment and write in NOW. (Details below.)

As always, please attend the County Council meeting if you can (wearing a green shirt :-).  Council meetings start at 5:30 in Winchester Hall.
 

3. Sugarloaf Alliance at Frederick In-The-Streets
Thanks to the Sierra Club for inviting Sugarloaf Alliance to share their table at Frederick In-The-Streets all day tomorrow, Saturday, 9/10. The event takes place from 11am - 5pm. Look for the Sierra Club tent on Market Street between 4th and 5th streets, in the middle and on the left as you walk toward 5th street. We’ll be there with flyers that explain the boundary issue, a mailing list sign-up, and connection to the petition, so send your friends on over. Hope to see you there!

4. Donate! 
Sugarloaf Alliance has been running on a shoestring for the past year. This is the first time we’ve reached out to you for donations. We have some legal expenses (trying to get to the bottom of the transparency issues, as reported previously), now we have website expenses and other get-the-word-out expenses. We hope to get a “donate” button at the website soon, but while we jump through those hoops, a check would be most appreciated; whatever you can do. We are 501(c)3, so donations are deductible. Please make your check payable to Sugarloaf Alliance, Inc. and mail it c/o Nick Carrera, 2602A Thurston Road, Frederick, MD 21704. 

5. Next Steps 
Here’s how you can help preserve from development the Sugarloaf Treasured Landscape:

Share, share, share! 
Share this newsletter to your email friends
Invite everyone to sign the petition - we’re at 1,763 - let’s get even more from Frederick Co.!
https://chng.it/tpZ4SLJ24j      
Share our website: www.sugarloaf-alliance.org 
Share our facebook page: Facebook@sugarloafalliance

Many hands, as they say…. We’re all volunteers. We do what we can. Even if you’ve commented 15 times before, please comment again and again and again. The boundary issue is back. Show up, call in, email. Contact your Council Member. Contact the At-Large Council Members. Contact Council Member Jessica Fitzwater who is running for County Executive, who may be in charge of implementing the Plan and who has yet to take a position. Tell them all: 

• You support the Plan’s I-270 boundary from Montgomery County to the Monocacy.
• You support the Overlay and the Plan’s preservation goals for the Sugarloaf area.
• Include a statement about why you appreciate the rural character of the area west of I-270 and why you believe dense development should continue to be focused on the east side of I-270.
• You oppose the paragraph on page 54, which opens the door to short-term Plan amendments because it creates an explicit opportunity for developers to quickly push for Plan changes despite more than 2 years of work and public input on the current version.
• Thank the Council Members for their support of the Sugarloaf Plan.   
  Find more information and talking points at our website: sugarloaf-alliance.org

Here is the web address of the most recent version of the Sugarloaf Plan, as approved by the Planning Commission, and available at the county website: https://www.frederickcountymd.gov/DocumentCenter/View/337082/Sugarloaf-Area-Plan-FCPC-Draft-2022-03-10

Here’s the County Council’s upcoming schedule for considering the Sugarloaf Plan. You may have seen in the Frederick News Post that the Council approved an extension to their Sugarloaf Plan consideration deadline in order to accommodate a legal ambiguity. At the same time, they announced that they are not changing the action schedule they announced earlier (see below). We will confirm and update this information as dates approach. 

Tuesday, 9/13 at 5:30pm: Plan discussion wrap-up; amendments voted on
Tuesday, 9/27 at 5:30pm: Public Hearing on the County Council Plan Draft (including any potential amendments)
Thursday, 9/29 at 2pm: Back-up hearing 
Monday, 10/3 at 5:30pm: Plan discussion and final reading of amendments
Tuesday, 10/11 at 5:30pm: Discussion on rezoning; public hearing (if needed)
Tuesday, 10/18 at 5:30pm: Rezoning discussion continued; public hearing if amended; Plan adoption
Tuesday, 10/25 at 5:30pm: Final reader of zoning text amendments (adoption); vote on rezoning

Here’s How to Make Your Voice Heard:

Please attend some Council Meetings in person, especially 9/27! Wear a green shirt to show your support for the Plan. Your presence is a statement. Council meetings are held on the first floor of Winchester Hall, 12 E Church St, Frederick. 

 If you are not able to attend in person, the Council also will continue to take calls. We recommend that you call in and record your comments AFTER the meeting begins at 5:30: Call 855-925-2801 and enter code 8365. You will be prompted to press * for more options. Press 2 to record a voicemail message that will be played during the meeting.

Watch the meeting online: https://www.frederickcountymd.gov/1225/FCG-TV

Email your comments to the County Council at councilmembers@frederickcountymd.gov.  

Email or call your Council Member, the At-Large Members, and County Executive Candidate Fitzwater:
Steve McKay (District 2), SMcKay@frederickcountymd.gov, 301-600-1034
Michael Blue (VP, District 5) MBlue@FrederickCountyMD.gov, 301-600-1034
Jerry Donald* (District 1), JDonald@FrederickCountyMD.gov, 301-600-2336
Jessica Fitzwater (District 4), JFitzwater@FrederickCountyMD.gov, 301-600-2336
M.C. Keegan-Ayer (Pres., District 3), MCKeegan-Ayer@FrederickCountyMD.gov, 301-600-1101
Kai Hagen (At Large), KHagen@FrederickCountyMD.gov, 301-600-2336
Phil Dacey (at Large), PDacey@FrederickCountyMD.gov, 301-600-1034

* The Sugarloaf Plan area is within Councilman Donald’s district.

As always, thanks for all you do. It’s going to take a BIG village to lift this across the finish line.

     The Sugarloaf Alliance represents over 450 stakeholders in the Sugarloaf region. The Alliance’s mission is to protect the unique natural and historical aspects of the Sugarloaf Mountain area and its environment through education and initiatives in support of watersheds, streams, meadows, forests, and historic sites. Working with volunteers, civic groups, and local, state, and federal agencies, the organization’s primary goal is to preserve the unique character and serenity of the area for future generations.  Sugarloaf Alliance is a 501(c)(3) organization.

       Steve Black, President

       Sue Trainor, Vice President

       Nick Carrera, Treasurer

       Johanna Springston, Secretary