FREDERICK, MD - Supporters of the group Friends of Frederick County met in front of City Hall Thursday evening to launch a petition drive in hopes of gaining support to reverse a recent city annexation.

In September 2009, Frederick's mayor and aldermen voted to annex two farms along Route 15 for homes and commercial use.

Supporters of the Friends of Frederick County are hoping to gain enough support for a charter amendment to change to boundaries of the city to exclude the two properties.  They say those properties will be a drain on resources and cause more traffic in already congested areas.

Instead, supporters say they would like to see more energy focused toward downtown and filling vacant spaces rather than sprawling the city into the countryside. 

"I think we should be supporting in-field development and improving upon what we have before we consider growing out into our prime farm land," says Jack Lynch.

Ed Hinde, a Frederick resident, is also hoping to have the annexation reversed.  "We are looking at using resource that are very, very precious," he says.

For more information about getting involved, click here.