Sugarloaf Plan Compromise Introduced

On Tuesday, 10/18, the Frederick County Council delayed voting on the Sugarloaf Plan in order to consider a proposed compromise. The justification for further compromise is Stronghold’s continued insistence that they will close Sugarloaf Mountain if their property is included in the Sugarloaf Plan. 

The proposed compromise would exclude Resource Conservation (RC) zoning from the Overlay zoning requirements. Sugarloaf’s RC zoning already is the most restrictive zoning designation in the County, and this compromise effectively excludes Stronghold’s 3,000 RC acres from the Plan’s requirements. The other 7,000 acres of RC in the 20,000-acre Plan area are located mostly around the mountain and along the Monocacy River. Under this compromise, the Overlay preservation requirements would apply to the Plan's 10,000 acres of agriculturally-zoned land (Ag), which includes the developer-owned land along I-270 and in the Thurston Road area. 

ACTION WE CAN TAKE THIS WEEK

1. Sign the New Petition
Sugarloaf Alliance has created a new petition* as a way to quickly demonstrate to the County Council that Sugarloaf Plan proponents will support this compromise. Please sign the petition and add your comments NOW. 

*NOTE: Sugarloaf Alliance welcomes your tax deductible donations. Please visit sugarloaf-alliance.org to make your donation. Donations made at this petition website go to change.org (which is fine - just be aware that it's not donation to us).

2. Send New Emails to the County Council

The Sugarloaf Alliance Board supports this compromise, with regret. We regret that the County Council has not seen its way clear to pass the Sugarloaf Plan and Overlay as currently amended, but we believe that this compromise is the win that may be achievable. It is by no means a done deal, however, and one thing we can do is write to Council Members ASAP assuring them of our support IF Stronghold agrees to the deal. 

Your New Email Talking points:
See below for Council Members’ contact information.
- Thank Council Members for supporting the I-270 boundary. 
- Thank Council Members for removing the page 54 invitation to reopen the Plan.
- Note that the Plan’s proponents already compromised significantly when the Council eliminated the rezoning of steep slopes from Ag to RC.
- While our hope was that the entire Plan area would be protected to the full extent proposed, you would prefer the compromise of excluding RC zoning to the option of a no-vote or a vote to remand the Overlay back to the Planning Commission.
- In the event that Stronghold refuses to compromise and continues to insist they will close Sugarloaf Mountain, urge the Council to pass the Sugarloaf Plan and Overlay as currently amended. One landowner should not have veto power over County land use policy.

For more information about the Plan and about the zoning issues, visit Sugarloaf-Alliance.org and look under "Topic Discussions."

COUNTY COUNCIL CONTACT INFO

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.

If you can't be at the 10/25 County Council meeting to watch the last of the Sugarloaf Plan voting, you can watch the meeting online, starting at 5:30pm: https://www.frederickcountymd.gov/1225/FCG-TV

THANKS EVERYONE!!!
Let’s hope this last effort carries us over the finish line!  

The Sugarloaf Alliance represents over 400 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. Sugarloaf-Alliance.org

Steve Black, President
Sue Trainor, Vice President
Nick Carrera, Treasurer
Johanna Springston, Secretary