TL;DR: Residents of Brunswick Crossing oppose the Frederick Primary Care Associates (FCPA)’s Medical Office at 1150 Potomac View Pkwy. due to its location in the middle of a residential area, when there is plenty of space available in the commercial Marketplace area by Weis. At the current proposed site, there would be a negative impact on the community, including increased traffic, noise, and visual disruption. The project contradicts neighborhood covenants and zoning guidelines. We urge consideration of alternative commercial sites (e.g., in the Marketplace).

To the City of Brunswick, Md.’s Planning Commission:

We, the undersigned residents of Brunswick Crossing, respectfully request that the City of Brunswick Planning Commission reject the proposed plan for the Frederick Primary Care Associates’ (FCPA) Medical Office and building at 1150 Potomac View Pkwy. in Brunswick Crossing.

The proposed change from an assisted living facility, as specified in our covenants, to a medical office building, is not aligned with the current and future development plans of Brunswick Crossing. This proposal also contradicts the guidelines in the Quasi Public Use section of the Brunswick Zoning Ordinance (Section 21.5.I.4). While a doctor’s office may fall under the Quasi Public Use definition, a business office for a for-profit medical company does not.

The current project design fails to include the necessary conditions to safeguard the adjacent properties and the entire neighborhood. The operations associated with this 28,500 sq. ft. building are highly disruptive to the neighboring residential areas. The substantial increase in traffic from the 147 high-turnover parking spaces, noise pollution, extensive light pollution, and other safety concerns due to the location of entrances and exits, will significantly and adversely affect surrounding homeowners. The expected traffic volume is projected to be over 10 times greater than that of the proposed assisted living facility. Additionally, this plan does not harmonize with the overall design ethos of Brunswick Crossing. Insufficient screening for this highly visible lot fails to prevent it from becoming a visual eyesore. This lot, one of the most prominent in our development, requires thoughtful planning to maintain community aesthetics. The building and parking lot are visible from all neighboring residences, as well as our pool and community center facilities. Section 9.11 of the Brunswick Crossing Covenants provides specific guidelines on managing highly visible lots within our community.

Brunswick Crossing was envisioned as a walkable, residential neighborhood featuring extensive sidewalks, green spaces, playgrounds, recreational facilities, walking trails, and community buildings. This proposal fundamentally alters the character of our community. 

There are alternative locations in the immediate area more suitable for FCPA’s project. We urge consideration of these alternatives—Specifically, we urge the city to strongly encourage Pleasants Development to work cooperatively with FCPA to offer one of their available commercial properties near Weis for the placement of the medical building.

Moreover, adherence to Zoning Ordinance Section 21.5.L.4 b.(2), which mandates the posting of a sign on the property, would have informed Brunswick Crossing residents of the proposed changes and provided an opportunity to express these concerns at earlier City Council Meetings.