On September 3, 2019, Frederick County adopted the Livable Frederick Master Plan (LFMP), a community-driven document that ushers in a new and innovative way of planning for Frederick County’s future.  The LFMP focuses on four key policy themes including:  Our Community, Our Environment, Our Economy, and Our Health; as well as a general growth, redevelopment, and preservation strategy that articulates a clear direction for the county in the first half of the 21^st century.

The Livable Frederick Master Plan is organized into three (3) sections:

• Our Vision, focusing on community aspirations, ideas, and preferences;
• The Development Framework, addressing the forms and patterns that will determine the physical shape of Frederick County;
• The Action Framework, including recommended positions, policies, and actions

Additionally, the LFMP’s Thematic Plan Map is a broad and vivid representation of - and a visual and narrative guide to - the future growth, preservation, and mobility patterns envisioned by Frederick County and its residents during the development of the Livable Frederick Master Plan.

 www.LivableFrederick.org

One critical aspect of long-range planning that is often ignored, is the issue of plan implementation. How can a community translate its vision into tangible results? Fortunately, the LFMP describes new approaches to structuring comprehensive planning in Frederick County that are unlike past planning efforts.  Targeted planning initiatives - including the development of large area plans, where the focus is on broad and contiguous areas of the County -  are a featured component of our plan. To that end, the approved Implementation Plan for the LFMP includes the creation of our first large area plan, the Sugarloaf Area Plan.

Description of the Sugarloaf Mountain Area from the Livable Frederick Master Plan

Introduction to the Sugarloaf Area Plan as contained in the Livable Frederick Implementation Plan

Sugarloaf Planning Area Map

A short video that explains the "why" behind the Sugarloaf Area Plan

Briefing Book

The Briefing Book is a broad introduction to the Sugarloaf Area Plan including a brief listing of current conditions, some historical background, and a preliminary list of challenges and opportunities in the area. The Briefing Book facilitates discussion and engagement in the planning process while the county develops a plan for the Sugarloaf area.

East view overlook, July 2019, running time 4:14

Potomac overlook, July 2019, running time 2:35

Meeting Schedule

Go to the Planning and Design Outreach Meetings page for a schedule of meetings, as well as agendas and meeting materials.

Sugarloaf Stakeholders’ Advisory Group

The County established a Sugarloaf Stakeholders’ Advisory Group to provide input and perspective as the county seeks to gain a broader and deeper understanding of the issues, challenges, and opportunities that exist in the Sugarloaf area.

Sugarloaf Community Meeting/Open House

On Thursday, February 27, 2020, approximately 100 people attended the County’s Community Meeting for the kick-off of the Sugarloaf Area Plan.  A  wide variety of geographic information and other data about the Sugarloaf Planning Area was displayed at the meeting, with County Staff answering questions about the maps and information presented.  After a short powerpoint presentation, a question/answer period followed for people to obtain more information about the Sugarloaf Area Plan and its creation.