Sugarloaf Area Plan

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  1. Project Highlights
  2. History
  3. Meetings & Outreach 
  4. Videos

Adoption of the Sugarloaf Plan


Sugarloaf Adopted Plan Oct 2022


Proposed Plan Amendment


The Sugarloaf Treasured Landscape Management Plan was adopted in October of 2022; however, the County Council removed select pages concerning the Proposed Sugarloaf Rural Heritage Overlay District and remanded them to the Planning Commission for further consideration. The Proposed Plan Amendment consists of a description of the Overlay, a map of the proposed Overlay area, and the Recommended Regulatory Framework, which includes provisions concerning development, commercial logging, prohibited uses, and exempt uses, as well as certain new use definitions.

The Planning Commission conducted a public hearing on the proposed Plan Amendment on July 20, 2023. 


The July 2022 Planning Commission Recommended 
Sugarloaf Treasured Landscape Management Plan Available


After convening nine (9) public workshops, the Frederick County Planning Commission voted to submit the March 2022 Draft Sugarloaf Treasured Landscape Management Plan to the State of Maryland for the legally required 60-day review. Comments were received from Maryland Department of Planning / Maryland Historical Trust and the Maryland Department of Commerce.

On June 15, 2022, the Planning Commission held a 10th workshop to review the March 2022 Draft Plan and the public comments received. The Planning Commission’s official record on the Sugarloaf Plan closed at 4pm on Friday, June 17, 2022.

On July 13, 2022, a majority of the Planning Commission voted to recommend the July 2022 Sugarloaf Plan to the County Council for approval. The County Council is conducting workshops and a will hold public hearing in the coming months. 

On August 18, 2022, an Open House was held at Urbana High School. County Planning staff was on hand to discuss the with attendees and to answer questions. Displays included maps of current and proposed land use designations and zoning.

On September 6, 2022, the following bills related to the Sugarloaf Plan were introduced by the County Council


On Monday, October 3, 2022, the County Council adopted the following amendments to the Sugarloaf Plan. The Council held a public hearing on the plan amendments on Tuesday, October 11, 2022 at 5:30 pm at Winchester Hall.

Additional discussion, hearings, and notes on Bill 22-25 (Overlay Zone) and Bill 22-24 (Private Park), plus the rezonings associated with the Sugarloaf Plan occurred on October 18, 2022 and October 25, 2022. Please check our website for more information.

For more information or questions, contact Kimberly Gaines, Director at 301.600.1144 or KGaines@FrederickCountyMD.gov 


On January 18, 2023, the Frederick County Planning Commission held a special meeting to discuss the draft Sugarloaf Rural Heritage Overlay Zoning District (Overlay). The draft Overlay text included in the Sugarloaf Treasured Landscape Management Plan was incorporated into a Council bill, 22-25. Instead of voting on this bill, the County Council returned the Overlay to the Planning Commission for further discussion and consideration. The meeting included a brief presentation on the draft Overlay in the Winchester Hall followed by small group discussions. Groups included the public, staff members and County Commissioners.



Recommended Land Use and/or Zoning Changes and 

Sugarloaf Rural Heritage Overlay Zoning District


The Planning Commission’s March 2022 Draft Sugarloaf Treasured Landscape Management Plan recommends land use and/or zoning changes to 163 properties in the planning area, as well as application of a new Sugarloaf Rural Heritage Overlay Zoning District to all properties in the planning area. 



The Sugarloaf Treasured Landscape Management Plan

First Draft Available


July 30, 2021 - The Livable Frederick Planning and Design Office announced that the Sugarloaf Treasured Landscape Management Plan First Draft (PDF) was available for public review. The Plan seeks to maintain rural character and scenic attributes, protect environmental resources, and enhance landscape quality in the Sugarloaf Mountain area. This "large area plan" begins to put into action the Livable Frederick Master Plan, Frederick County’s guiding policy document for how and where the county will grow, conserve, and preserve. 


August 17, 2021 & August 19, 2021 - The draft of the Sugarloaf Treasured Landscape Management Plan was introduced to the public at two virtual open houses from 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM. After a brief presentation, staff invited members of the public to offer their feedback and ask questions.


September 15, 2021, October 20, 2021, November 10, 2021, November 17, 2021, December 8, 2021, January 19, 2022, February 9, 2022, February 16, 2022, and March 2, 2022 - The Planning Commission held workshops and a public hearing to review the Staff Draft of The Sugarloaf Treasured Landscape Management Plan and develop the plan that will ultimately be recommended by the Planning Commission to the County Council for adoption.


March 22, 2022 & March 29, 2022 - Following the Planning Commission's full review of the draft Plan and a public hearing, the Commission's recommended plan will be submitted to the County Council. The County Council review of the Sugarloaf Treasured Landscape Management Plan will also include a public hearing.


Sugarloaf Area Plan Cover Page

Download: The 1st Draft Sugarloaf Treasured Landscape Management Plan

Plan Updates Since July 2021 Printing


Frequently Asked Questions

Interested in more information about the Sugarloaf Treasured Landscape Management Plan?

Learn more by reviewing the Sugarloaf Treasured Landscape Management Plan FAQs (PDF)


Sugarloaf Treasured Landscape Management Plan Overview



Sugarloaf Infographic Status


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