Land Stewards threatens county commissioners with lawsuit

The Frederick Board of County Commissioners’ vote on the New Market Region Plan last week would rezone areas of Eaglehead, reducing the number of homes that may be built to 3,235.

For example, a 397-acre part of the Heritage Ridge section of Eaglehead will be rezoned under the new region plan. Originally, 530 new homes were planned there.

With the rezoning, no homes may be built.

Thomas E. Lynch, an attorney representing Land Stewards, submitted a letter to commissioners on July 17, in which he asserts the commissioners’ vote was illegal.

Lynch’s letter states that courts would not allow the reduction in the number of houses in specific parts of the development because Eaglehead should be treated as one integrated development.

Commissioners expect to adopt the New Market Region Plan at a meeting Tuesday.

Fire displaces five

An electrical fire Monday morning at a Libertytown antique store damaged two homes, leaving five residents displaced, according to the Frederick County Division of Fire and Rescue Services.

Chief fire marshal Marc McNeal said that the fire was accidental, caused by an electrical malfunction in the ceiling of Libertytown Antiques and Collectibles. The two damaged homes were attached to the store.

McNeal said the damage to the buildings is estimated at $150,000.

Thirty-seven fire, rescue and emergency medical service units from Frederick and Carroll counties responded to the fire. More than 100 personnel were on the scene battling the blaze until about 2 p.m., Monday.

One firefighter was sent to Frederick Memorial Hospital for treatment for a possible heat-related illness, McNeal said.