HAGERSTOWN – A proposed development on 100 acres known as the Dub Farm site hit a major snag during the June 10 Hagerstown City Council work session. Council members voiced significant concerns about its layout, density and long-term viability.
While the project’s backers presented it as a modern, mixed-use neighborhood designed to attract new residents and businesses, elected officials pushed back, questioning whether the plan truly delivered the balance of benefits promised under the city’s zoning code.
Concerns on design, density and open space
The proposed PUD includes clusters of townhomes, apartments, single-family homes and commercial space spread across two main phases. However, council members criticized the plan’s structure, noting that residential areas appeared segregated by housing type rather than integrated into a cohesive community.
Councilmember Kristin Aleshire was especially vocal, calling the layout a missed opportunity. “The developer wants the benefits of higher density,” Aleshire said, “but they’re not giving anything back in terms of meaningful green space or community integration.”
Planning Director Stephen Bockmiller echoed the concern, pointing out that although the plan technically meets the 10 percent open space requirement, most of that space is made up of non-functional buffers, stormwater areas or narrow strips between homes – none of which are likely to be usable for recreation or public gathering.
Councilmember Caroline Anderson added that in her experience with similar developments, some yards were only accessible by walking around an entire block. “That’s not what open space should be,” she said.
Phase 2: A critical missing piece
A significant point of contention is that Phase 2 of the development will include much of the required open space and the more desirable apartment and commercial elements. Still, Bockmiller expressed skepticism that it will ever be built.
“If Phase 2 doesn’t happen,” he said, “this becomes an out-of-balance neighborhood that fails to meet the core principles of a PUD. (Planned Unit Development)”
The council noted that without the mixed-use core and additional housing options proposed in Phase 2, the development risks becoming a disconnected suburban-style tract rather than a true community.
Traffic and connectivity challenges
Transportation impacts also fueled council resistance. The development would disrupt Day Road and reroute traffic through existing neighborhoods, raising concerns about safety and convenience for current residents.
Although the design includes a new road providing secondary access, council members were not satisfied that the impacts on surrounding streets had been fully addressed.
“Day Road is going to be permanently altered,” Aleshire said, “and we’re not seeing that integrated into a meaningful, walkable community.”
Questioning compliance with city code
The city’s zoning code requires that PUDs be “predominantly non-residential and mixed-use in character,” but members questioned whether the Dub Farm proposal met that standard. While some commercial space is included, most of the land is designated for residential development, mostly townhouses.
“The layout is residential-dominant,” said Bockmiller, noting that the mixed-use focal point required by city code was substituted with a passive central green space instead of a true commercial corridor.
What’s next?
Although no final vote was taken, the council made clear that the plan in its current form is unlikely to move forward. Staff members will work with the applicant to determine whether substantial revisions are possible or if the zoning overlay request should be denied.
Council members emphasized that while supporting development at the Dub Farm site, they want a project that reflects community needs, balances land uses and meets the city’s code standards.
