Fred. Co., Md. Commissioners Approve Crum and Keller Annexations
By: Dawn White & Jennifer Lee
Updated: September 6, 2012
FREDERICK, MD - More than a thousand homes could be built on farm land in Frederick County.
Crumland Farms has been in Denny and Judy Crum's family since 1940, but that could soon change.
"It becomes very hard for a farmer to make a living with the regulations that we're facing," said Judy Crum, co-owner of Crumland Farms.
The Crums have already annexed 285 acres by Route 15. They want to annex another 253 acres on the west side of the farm.
"Adding the additional acreage is not going to add any more houses. We already have the allotment for the water and sewer," Judy Crum said.
About 1,200 would go on the Crum property. Up to 850 houses could wind up on about 300-acres of the Keller Farm, but in order for that to happen, the Frederick County Board of Commissioners had to approve both annexations.
Commissioners Blaine Young, Paul Smith, Kirby Delauter, and Billy Shreve gave it the green light.
"It makes sense that they develop within the City of Frederick, and I was in support of them because I think it was good growth. It's growth that's going to happen over several decades. It's not going to happen tomorrow," said Young, (R) - President of the Frederick County Board of Commissioners.
Commissioner David Gray voted against the annexations. He says he had concerns about the effects on roads and schools.
"It is way out of whack with where we are, and we ought to take the time to think these things through and talk to the school board and talk to the city, and that's not happening. It's slam, bam, off you go. It's ill-considered and it's a mistake because future generations will pay," Gray (R) said.
The Crums could soon be putting their tractor keys away when houses get built on the family's farm.
The City of Frederick also voted to approve the Keller Farm Annexation Plan and Resolution.More than a dozen residents who live near the farm urged officials to consider their way of life. They don't want Frederick to become another Montgomery County, but hope to maintain their rural community.
"This step in the process gives the City of Frederick control over the way the development occurs, specifically the way the houses are laid out, specifically the way the roads, the infrastructure is laid out." says Alderman Shelley Aloi.
City Alderman say they understand the public's concerns but their responsibility lies in the future of Frederick. The population's expected to increase 15-percent by 2030.
