Walkersville Planning Commission to Hold Public Hearing on FoodPro Request

The Town of Walkersville received a Comprehensive Plan request from Food Pro (location 8908 Fountain Rock Rd, +/-106.38 acres) to be included in the Town’s ultimate annexation limits with a land use designation of Limited Industrial.

This is NOT an annexation request, although Food Pro has indicated their intention to submit an annexation petition in the future.

The property is currently located within the ultimate annexation limits of the Town and is designated Agricultural Buffer and Limited Industrial. An area of floodplain bisects the property where Glade Creek crosses it.

To date, Town staff has met with County Planning staff and the Town Attorney for information and guidance with regard to this property. A joint Burgess and Commissioners and Planning Commission informational meeting was held in January. (Joint FoodPro Meeting Jan 18, 2023)

The Town Planning Commission will hold a hearing on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at 7 pm to consider the Comprehensive Plan request.

At the meeting, Food Pro, as other property owners have done as part of the Comprehensive Plan update process, will present their plans. Town staff will present a staff report, the Commission will ask questions of the property owner, and then public comments will be accepted. The Planning Commission will vote on the request that night or at a subsequent meeting to provide guidance to the staff in preparing the draft Plan.

Consideration of the Food Pro request is part of the Comprehensive Plan Update process that has been ongoing for the last two years. The draft plan map and text is nearly complete and ready for public release.

The staff-drafted Comprehensive Plan will be presented to the Planning Commission for a vote. Once approved, it will be subject to review by the public, Frederick County agencies, and State of Maryland agencies (coordinated by the MD Department of Planning).

After the 60-day review period, the Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to receive public comments, and to consider comments received in the 60 day review period. The Plan is once again considered in light of comments, revised accordingly, and subject to a final vote.

The Planning Commission Draft is submitted to the Burgess and Commissioners for adoption. The Burgess and Commission will hold a public hearing before voting to amend or adopt the Plan.

The Town asks that the public refrain from commenting on the Town’s Facebook page regarding the Food Pro requests. Facebook comments are NOT official, NOT part of the public record, and NOT considered by the respective boards.
Sharing of this post on your own Facebook page is encouraged.

Official public comments on the Food Pro request and draft Comprehensive Plan will be taken via email, written letters, and live testimony during the official public comment period of each step.