We, the undersigned residents of Urbana, MD and surrounding areas petition the Frederick County Council (council) to deny approval of 75 additional all-age dwelling units in the Urbana Market District (MD). We oppose this component of the “Combined Urbana PUD-MXD Rezoning application R-16-01” for the following reasons:
1.) Reason #1 – keeping the space undeveloped will benefit the community: We urge the council to recommend to the developer that they revise the application by eliminating new residential development, and instead keep the space open by expanding the pavilion concept in front of the library into a broader social setting with a park like atmosphere. This will enhance property values and foster a greater sense of community and well-being.
2.) Reason # 2 – New homes will increase school overcrowding: The application fails to meet several approval criteria required under V. § 1-19-3.110.4 (A) – Frederick County Approval Criteria for Zoning Map Amendments as they relate to findings of adequacy for school capacity.
3) Reason #3 – Worthington Blvd. cannot handle the new traffic pattern: More homes will create a highly congested traffic area right in the heart of Urbana; the vehicle traffic they will generate, combined with traffic generated by the grocery store, existing retail, the library, and the pool - all in such close proximity to one another - will overwhelm the side streets and public parking, causing an unsafe mess for drivers and pedestrians.
For the above stated reasons, we respectfully ask the council to deny the applicant’s request for approval of 75 additional homes in the VOU Market District.
