THURMONT TODAY
Thurmont’s
Natural Assets
Besides its people, Thurmont’s greatest asset is its location. Situated
at the gateway to the Catoctin Mountains, it borders Cunningham Falls State
Park and Catoctin Mountain Park, home to the Presidential Camp David. It is
blessed with beautiful wooded hills to the west and rolling farmland to the
east. Rt. 15 is a national Scenic Byway and links Thurmont to the rural campus
of Mt. St. Mary’s and further on to historic Emmitsburg and Gettysburg.
The town has a mix of residential, industrial and commercial areas and its
location makes the Thurmont area a natural destination for those wanting to
enjoy the beauty of the Catoctin Mountains and the surrounding countryside.
Periodic polls of Thurmont’s population (est. 6,000) show a strong desire on the part of residents for Thurmont to maintain its small-town atmosphere and to grow at a slow rate. At the same time, some residents complain that there are no large department stores close by.
Recent
Developments
To date, most development in the town has been carried out at the initiative
of developers who have sought and won approval for building on pieces of land
in various parts of the town. However, this has been a rather haphazard process
with the resulting increases in population putting considerable pressure on
town utilities, schools and other infrastructure. The Town has benefited from
receiving Environmental Impact Fees from builders, but it has been burdened
by additional maintenance costs that will continue into the future. Various
developments being proposed for the Catoctin Mountain side of Route 15 would
clearly damage one of the most scenic vistas in Maryland, and the natural
beauty of the area.
Several areas have an undesirable “commercial strip” appearance, with fast-food restaurants, gas stations and the like that convey “Anywhere America” rather than a sense of Thurmont. Also, industrial areas have been developed without real consideration of their impact and the related logistics. Hence, a large number of heavy trucks pass through the center of town to reach Rt. 15.
What
Is Needed
Thurmont already has most of the facilities, services, and commercial establishments
needed by a town its size. Most lacking, however, are the sorts of businesses
and retail outlets that are in tune with Thurmont’s unique attributes
and location. The current town center provides convenient shopping and services
for residents, but it lacks characteristics that would enable it to serve
as a center for recreation for residents and a destination for tourists.
The recent Main Street designation and accompanying funding opportunities will facilitate development of a public space, or plaza, that would encourage pedestrians, families and tourists to mingle, relax, have fun and spend money. Ideally, this development will use rural Maryland’s architecture as a guide, so that it adds to what Thurmont has to offer residents and visitors while not detracting from the historical character of the town. Special projects such as the development by the local Lion’s Club of a Trolley Trail, as well as the many community activities sponsored by the town and the Economic Development Council continue to attract tourists and residents to the town center.
Thurmont offers only limited pedestrian and biking access to the state and national parks in the area, and offers only limited agricultural tourism opportunities. The seasonal farmer’s market is into a successful second year, offering fruit and vegetables produced locally. It promises to fulfill the goal of a year-round farmer’s market, providing area farmers with a place to offer their produce, residents with the opportunity to “eat locally,” and visitors a place to purchase a range of local agricultural products.
Any successful plan for future development will address what is needed in Thurmont while assuring that it maintains its small-town character and preserves the unique beauty and heritage of the area.
A
VISION FOR THURMONT’S FUTURE
Our vision for Thurmont is that it should fulfill its potential as Gateway
to the Catoctin Mountains; that it should keep its core identity as a small
Maryland town in a historic and scenic location that offers the best in Maryland’s
natural beauty and rural heritage; that it should offer a pleasant and desirable
environment for town and surrounding residents; that it should attract visitors
drawn to the beauty of the area; and that it should develop an economy that
is in harmony with its surroundings and that sustains its population and government.
PRINCIPLES FOR DEVELOPMENT
To help Thurmont achieve its potential and the vision articulated above, CAPPA
proposes a number of principles to guide future development. These can be
included in the revised Thurmont Master Plan and used by the town to help
shape development that will have long-term benefits in harmony with the nature
and heritage of Thurmont. CAPPA also suggests that specific development proposals
based on these principles might be submitted to the town for approval.
The principles below are proposed with the results of the 2006 town survey in mind, as well as the need for the town to have a sufficient tax base to support necessary infrastructure and services. These principles are based on the notion that good planning will attract the sort of proposals from developers and others that will have a long-term benefit for Thurmont and the surrounding area. By guiding development towards a vision for Thurmont that is fully in harmony with its natural surroundings and heritage, Thurmont will attract the sort of enterprises and visitors that best help it achieve its potential.
Development decisions, including land use and zoning, should be guided by two primary considerations:
Thurmont should remain a small town with a slow growth rate.
Thurmont should be an attractive Gateway to the Mountains, in harmony with its natural surroundings and its heritage.
To
preserve its small-town identity, and to limit sprawl, the town should encourage
a green belt that limits future expansion of the town. The green belt would
be closed to residential, commercial and industrial development. Only developments
that enhance Thurmont’s integration with the nature of the area, the
wooded Catoctin Mountains and farmland, would be permitted in the green belt
(such as trails, nature preserves, agro-tourism projects, etc). The Catoctin
(west) side of Rt. 15 would be part of the green belt. The green belt should
be developed in coordination with the county, so that county land-use and
zoning decisions support it. Annexations should only be considered within
these guidelines, and then only those annexations that minimize the loss of
agricultural land.
Implement the Scenic Byway guidelines for Rt. 15, including a corridor of
greenery on both sides of the highway and signage in harmony with the natural
beauty of the area. Remove bill-boards, and identify Thurmont as a historical
town.
Preserve
the historical buildings and spaces within the town. Use signs and plaques
on significant buildings, showing their date and any relevant historical information.
In particular, encourage preservation of Main Street and Church/Water Street
downtown.
Development of residential, commercial and industrial areas should be limited
to within the town’s growth boundary. There is considerable land in
Thurmont that can be developed in creative ways without affecting its small-town
identity. Significant commercial developments would best be located on the
south of town, in the area already used for that purpose, while businesses
in the town center could be complemented by retail outlets and recreational
areas offering hiking, biking and other activities.
To avoid congestion on the streets, and to avoid heavy commercial traffic
in residential areas, industrial areas should have access to Rt. 15 that by-passes
the town center, and commercial areas should be situated with easy access
to Rt. 15.
Developments
should be encouraged that broaden the tax base beyond single family homes,
which over time create the greatest burden on town infrastructure and services.
Mixed developments that include commercial with residential properties, and
various residence types (single homes, town houses, condos and apartments,
for singles and the elderly as well as families) should be encouraged. Developments
should also be well integrated with recreational areas, and be connected with
pedestrian and bike routes to other parts of the town, especially the center.
However, only new developments that meet the town’s APFO (Adequate Public
Facilities Ordinance) should be approved.
Make Thurmont pedestrian- and bike-friendly, with sidewalks, bike-paths and
trails within the town and connecting the town to surrounding natural areas.
Supplement
and support the Main Street initiative with the creation of a nexus for art,
culture and crafts, including local galleries, craft shops, antique shops,
restaurants and cafes, as well as the local workshops to supply them. Ideally,
these would be positioned around a new town square or plaza that would be
free of motor vehicle traffic and encourage residents and visitors to mix
and mingle, as well as spend money in Thurmont, supporting the local economy.
Part of this initiative would be to encourage Colorfest vendors to base themselves
permanently in Thurmont. This might be a good place to locate a Thurmont Tourism
Office that would have information on the tourism opportunities in the area.
This project could be developed on vacant land that abuts the downtown area,
thereby supporting the businesses in the downtown area. The design and architecture
used should, as much as possible, draw on Maryland’s small town heritage,
such as using stone and wood.
Encourage agro-tourism in the area, with farm tours and demonstrations and
a permanent Farmers Market. At the same time, land trusts and various state
and county programs designed to help farmers keep their land in agriculture
should be promoted to farmers, with the intention of limiting non-farm related
development. This project might be centered in the area already designated
light industrial, on Rt. 15, north of town.
Coordinate nature- and Scenic Byway-related developments with Frederick County,
as well as Mount St. Mary’s University and Emmitsburg, so that residents
and visitors can enjoy the whole area as part of an integrated experience.
Secure a professional planner, or planning group, to advise Thurmont on how best to guide development and growth and to make specific development proposals. This planner would work for the town but interact with other stakeholders, including residents and groups such as the Business Council, Zoning and Planning, Lions Club and CAPPA, as well as Frederick County, Mount St. Mary’s and Emmitsburg.
Revised November 1, 2006
