Sugarloaf Area Plan Creation--Challenges & Opportunities #2
Should the Sugarloaf Area Plan focus primarily on environmental conservation and natural resource enhancement? Rural land preservation? Overall environmental and economic sustainability? Another issue of concern?
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msimpson2005
Mar 8
As a resident in this area, I have seen the detrimental effects of the current zoning, which allows for development of businesses that would add negative aspects to this area, such as increased traffic and noise, light and environmental pollution. This current zoning pits neighbor against neighbor in order to stop inappropriate development. Sugarloaf is a special zone, which has beauty and historic value, as well as medium to large acre properties. This creates a situation that does not match a typical Agriculture area. There are many residences, meaning higher than normal population densities. Instead of allowing the kinds of development allowed in the current Ag zoning laws, how about creating a new zone that would more closely meet the needs of an area like Sugarloaf? This could serve to protect the nature of the area for all to visit while ensuring that those who reside near the Mountain do not create businesses that would be detrimental to the surrounding areas.
pethelp1
May 11
The North east side of Mt Ephraim Rd is zoned resource conservation. According to documents shared at the Urbana High town hall, the Liveable Frederick plan "reduced" that to Resource Management . My understanding is this is so that timber can be harvested.
cspoteat
Mar 12
Steve Poteat
The predominant objective of the Sugarloaf Area Plan should be the perpetual preservation of Sugarloaf Mountain and its foothills as a unique natural resource available to the public. We always must be thankful to Gordon Strong for his visionary efforts to consolidate the mountain woodlot properties and establish and fund a trust to maintain the mountain and allow public access. But it is important to recognize that the Sugarloaf Mountain region is currently and has always included a combination of the factors listed above: environmental conservation, natural resource enhancement, rural land preservation, and overall environmental and economic sustainability. For the last hundred years and more, Sugarloaf Mountain has existed compatibly with land uses including farmlands, scattered residential development, other public and private open space uses such as golf courses and equestrian centers, and more recently, agritourism including a winery. Even the Sugarloaf Mountain Mansion itself is a very successful event venue. These factors and uses operate in relative cooperation with each other at this time and could and should continue to do so in the future.
pethelp1
May 11
Gordon Strong's Trust will sunset in 2045. While that seems far away, the trust can be dissolved prior to that with legal action or in 2045 we need to know what the ownership structure and access could look like.
As a resident in this area, I have seen the detrimental effects of the current zoning, which allows for development of businesses that would add negative aspects to this area, such as increased traffic and noise, light and environmental pollution. This current zoning pits neighbor against neighbor in order to stop inappropriate development. Sugarloaf is a special zone, which has beauty and historic value, as well as medium to large acre properties. This creates a situation that does not match a typical Agriculture area. There are many residences, meaning higher than normal population densities. Instead of allowing the kinds of development allowed in the current Ag zoning laws, how about creating a new zone that would more closely meet the needs of an area like Sugarloaf? This could serve to protect the nature of the area for all to visit while ensuring that those who reside near the Mountain do not create businesses that would be detrimental to the surrounding areas.
The North east side of Mt Ephraim Rd is zoned resource conservation. According to documents shared at the Urbana High town hall, the Liveable Frederick plan "reduced" that to Resource Management . My understanding is this is so that timber can be harvested.
Steve Poteat
The predominant objective of the Sugarloaf Area Plan should be the perpetual preservation of Sugarloaf Mountain and its foothills as a unique natural resource available to the public. We always must be thankful to Gordon Strong for his visionary efforts to consolidate the mountain woodlot properties and establish and fund a trust to maintain the mountain and allow public access. But it is important to recognize that the Sugarloaf Mountain region is currently and has always included a combination of the factors listed above: environmental conservation, natural resource enhancement, rural land preservation, and overall environmental and economic sustainability. For the last hundred years and more, Sugarloaf Mountain has existed compatibly with land uses including farmlands, scattered residential development, other public and private open space uses such as golf courses and equestrian centers, and more recently, agritourism including a winery. Even the Sugarloaf Mountain Mansion itself is a very successful event venue. These factors and uses operate in relative cooperation with each other at this time and could and should continue to do so in the future.
Gordon Strong's Trust will sunset in 2045. While that seems far away, the trust can be dissolved prior to that with legal action or in 2045 we need to know what the ownership structure and access could look like.