Land Use of 2,200-Acre Site Holds Up 'Livable Frederick' Plan in Western Maryland

City councilmembers are debating the future of a 2,200-acre former aluminum smelting plant in Frederick, Maryland. The debate centers on the viability of the parcel as transit-oriented development.

1 minute read

August 21, 2019, 1:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Historic Towns

Carroll Creek runs through Downtown Frederick. | Jon Bilous / Shutterstock

City councilmembers are debating the future of a 2,200-acre former aluminum smelting plant in Frederick, Maryland. The debate centers on the viability of the parcel as transit-oriented development.

Steve Bohnel reports on a controversial component of the Livable Frederick plan, under debate in the Maryland city located proximate to both Washington, D.C. and Baltimore. 

The issue at hand is a former aluminum smelting plant and 2,200 surrounding acres. The site has been dormant for two decades, according to an article by Steve Bohnel, but the Livable Frederick plan "labels the area of the county as a possible 'new town' and location for multimodal accessibility."

The designation has split the Frederick City Council. Some question whether the nearby MARC rail spur (with service to Washington, D.C.) is adequate to serve as a commuter rail station for a potential mixed-use development.

Councilmember Steve McKay (R) in July drafted an amendment that would change the land use designation for the parcel "aimed to promote commercial and industrial development, while encouraging future planners to preserve the nearly 2,000 acres of farmland surrounding the Eastalco site," according to Bohnel. In addition to the coverage on the amendment linked above, Bohnel provides additional context for the debate in an article published earlier in July.

Wednesday, August 21, 2019 in The Frederick News-Post

Sweeping view of Portland, Oregon with Mt. Hood in background against sunset sky.

Oregon Passes Exemption to Urban Growth Boundary

Cities have a one-time chance to acquire new land for development in a bid to increase housing supply and affordability.

March 12, 2024 - Housing Wire

Aerial view of green roofs with plants in Sydney, Australia.

Where Urban Design Is Headed in 2024

A forecast of likely trends in urban design and architecture.

March 10, 2024 - Daily Journal of Commerce

Cobblestone street with streetcar line, row of vintage streetlights on left, and colorful restaurant and shop awnings on right on River Street in Savannah, Georgia.

Savannah: A City of Planning Contrasts

From a human-scales, plaza-anchored grid to suburban sprawl, the oldest planned city in the United States has seen wildly different development patterns.

March 12, 2024 - Strong Towns

Aerial View of Chuckanut Drive and the Blanchard Bridge in the Skagit Valley.

Washington Tribes Receive Resilience Funding

The 28 grants support projects including relocation efforts as coastal communities face the growing impacts of climate change.

March 18 - The Seattle Times

Historic buildings in downtown Los Angeles with large "Pan American Lofts" sign on side of building.

Adaptive Reuse Bills Introduced in California Assembly

The legislation would expand eligibility for economic incentives and let cities loosen regulations to allow for more building conversions.

March 18 - Beverly Press

View from above of swan-shaped paddleboats with lights on around artesian fountain in Echo Park Lake with downtown Los Angeles skylien in background at twilight.

LA's Top Parks, Ranked

TimeOut just released its list of the top 26 parks in the L.A. area, which is home to some of the best green spaces around.

March 18 - TimeOut

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.