FY2025 Proposed Operating and Capital Budgets

FY2025 Proposed Budget Organizational Budgets

Division of Planning & Permitting

Division of Planning & Permitting This Division is comprised of two functional departments and one policy-focused land use planning office. Specifically, the Division includes the Department of Development Review & Planning; the Department of Permits & Inspections; and the Office of Livable Fredrick Planning and Design.

Livable Frederick Planning & Design Office Staff of the Livable Frederick Planning & Design Office develops and advances comprehensive, long-range planning documents through collaborative efforts with the County Executive, the County Council and the County Planning Commission. This Office also bears responsibility for the drafting, presentation, approval and implementation of a number of functional planning and policy related documents, such as the Planning Annual Report; the Water and Sewerage Plan and related cycle amendments; the Land Preservation, Parks and Recreation Plan; and the Historic Preservation Ordinance.

Implementation of the Livable Frederick Master Plan, a long-term vision and policy-focused strategic planning document, also falls under the primary jurisdiction of this Office. Unlike prior comprehensive planning efforts, the Livable Frederick Master Plan is policy based, not zoning and land use driven. The Livable Frederick Planning and Design Office’s first substantive planning efforts related to the implementation of the Livable Frederick Master Plan are the Sugarloaf Treasured Landscape Area Plan, the South Frederick Corridors Plan, and the Water Resources Element . The Sugarloaf Plan was adopted in October of 2022. The Plan focuses on the preservation of natural resources and the rural character of the Sugarloaf Mountain area. The South Frederick Corridors Plan focuses on opportunities for economic growth and revitalization within the commercialized MD355 and MD85 corridors, just south of the City of Frederick. The South Frederick Corridors Plan is slated for adoption in April of 2024. The Water Res ources Element addresses the County’s capacity to provide potable water and manage wastewater associated with future growth, as well as management of stormwater. The Water Resources Element is expected to be adopted in late 2024. Plans to be initiated in 2024, following the adoption of the Water Resources Element, include the Green Infrastructure Plan and the Housing Element. An economic opportunity plan – Investing in Workers and Workplaces – is also scheduled for development in 2024. In addition to the Planning Commission, the Livable Frederick Planning & Design Office provides staff support to the Historic Preservation Commission, the Rustic Roads Commission, and the Sustainable Monocacy Commission. The staff also works closely with advisory groups appointed for the individual plans. Development Review & Planning The Development Review & Planning Department performs multiple functions, serving primarily as the clearinghouse for private and public land development proposals subject to review by the Frederick County Planning Commission, pursuant to their authority under the State’s Land Use Article. Staff are responsible for the timely preparation of Planning Commission meeting agendas, staff report and legal advertisements and notifications, including the preparation of public presentations and meeting minutes on all land development proposals.

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