The Thurmont Planning and Zoning Commission is working with principal planner Denis Superczynski, of the Frederick County Department of Planning & Zoning to revise the Thurmont Master Plan. The last Master Plan was created and adopted in May of 1998.

The master plan is the town’s projected plan of growth over the next 6 to 8 years. Citizen participation in the Master Plan revision process is strongly encouraged.

Your participation with the master plan will help guide the town into the future. "The best reason to participate in this process in any facet is so your voice can be heard and your opinions acknowledged," said Mr. Superczynski. If you don’t speak up now about your vision of the future of Thurmont, once the plan closes, you’ll have to wait 6 or 8 more years before the next plan process begins.

In the first phase of the master plan update, area residents were sent asked to complete a planning and zoning survey to share their vision of Thurmont today and in the future. The survey questioned citizens on a variety of issues ranging from town character, to economic and residential growth, growth boundaries, transportation, and recreational facilities.

The survey results revealed that 86.4% of the respondents believe that small-town atmosphere is the number one most important characteristic or feature of Thurmont. The town’s natural surroundings came in second at 65%. Over half, 63.5%, agreed that the town should adopt a modest historic preservation guideline.

Residential growth in Thurmont has been occurring at a rate of 54 homes per year. Survey results showed that 60.8% believe this rate is too high while 30.7% believe it to be appropriate. A larger majority, 73.4% want to see economic growth within the town limits.

Complete facts and figures regarding about survey will be presented to the public by the planning and zoning commission and Mr. Superczynski at the town office on Thursday, March 23 at 7:00 p.m.

On April 4, 2006, a Master Plan Public Workshop will be held for area citizens to learn more about how they can participate in the planning process. The time and location of the meeting were not available at press time.

Dates to Remember

• Survey Results Presentation - Thursday, March 23 7:00 p.m.
• Master Plan Public Workshop- Tuesday, April 4 Time TBA