(4/1) At its March 28 meeting, Thurmont residents came out in droves as the council discussed the town master plan and potential planning and zoning concerns.
The proposed master plan update has been in the works for two years under the auspices of Town Planner Chris Jakubiak, along with the Planning and Zoning Committee.
The town is required to create a new master plan every ten years as well as produce a draft-zoning map that includes text amendments that reflect how the plan will be implemented. Although the master plan is merely a guide and a policy response that can be changed, the zoning map is law once it is adopted, Jakubiak said.
"The zoning map where the rubber meets the road," in regard to property rights, he said. The new plan looks at issues and goals the town needs to keep in mind all the way out to the year 2040 and adds innovative ideas, he said.
The updated master plan seeks to preserve and create more forested areas within the community. Jakubiak added that the plan includes a housing chapter that promotes intergenerational housing including more senior living throughout the community.
The current draft calls for a downtown development district to focus on restoring and protecting the historic area, including building on the town’s Trolley Trail. Undeveloped land encircling the town, also know as "Municipal Growth Area" is addressed in the plan as to how land outside town can be used to grow the town through annexations into the town. The draft plan shows what properties are eligible for annexation, according to Jakubiak.
Detailing a municipality’s prospective growth plans helps the town have greater control and potentially prevent county centered projects from coming into those areas, Mayor John Kinnaird said.
At public comment, residents spoke up about the potential changes that could affect the town’s way of life, particularly if the master plan allows an excess of developments.
Residents and property owners, particularly in agricultural areas of Thurmont, voiced concern regarding what the latest draft of the master plan would mean for their land if it were to be approved. Specifically residents expressed concern about how potential development and roadway expansion would affect surrounding wildlife as well as areas already congested with traffic.
Several residents remarked about saving their property for generational use and were worried developers would come knocking to buy, when the future land use map categorized their property as "Legacy Light Industrial."
Mayor John Kinnaird noted land use on the plan is a guide and made no requirements.
While the plan highlights potential directions for the town to grow, annexation is a choice by individual property owners. "Property owners are the ones that institute annexation," Kinnaird said.
Following public comment, the council agreed to hold off on the plan’s approval in order to gather more information.
A public workshop is expected this month to provide an opportunity for the council to have further discussions and get answers to specific questions from town staff and the Planning and Zoning Commission. Although residents are welcome to attend, public participation and comment is not permitted at workshops.
