Aldermen again consider condemnation

‘‘This is the last piece of land available to the airport for further expansion,” Abell said. ‘‘... Now is the time. We identified this land years ago and if we don’t get it now, it will be developed.”

Abell said adding the land would allow for an additional runway in the future, and give the airport a larger and safer space to handle aircraft.

The parcel, also known as Lot 15, was identified for city acquisition in the 2003 Airport Layout Plan and the 1999 and 2007 Airport Master Plans, outlining the facility’s growth. It is one of several properties the city has been working to acquire through negotiations with area landowners and businesses.

The Bowmans Farm property is currently owned by William M. Rickman Jr., through his company Williams Grove Farm LLC.

According to a deed recorded in Frederick County Circuit Court, in 2003 Rickman purchased the property for $1.7 million from Virginia-based Frederick Airport Park Associates.

Through the condemnation process, a fair market price for the land is determined by a Circuit Court judge or jury.

Rickman is the co-owner of the Ocean Downs Racetrack near Ocean City, and some thought he would lobby to bring slots to Frederick, at the site.

Calls for comment from Rickman’s attorney, Joseph Lynott, were not returned by The Gazette’s press time Wednesday.

Records provided by City Hall indicate that Frederick has negotiated to buy the land from Rickman since March 2004.

‘‘It is not like I can forget this piece and go somewhere else,” Abell said. ‘‘... This is the only property available, but we’ll continue to negotiate if [Rickman] is acceptable to that.”

Abell said that Rickman has sought a ‘‘through the fence” operation to house his planes near the airport and use its runway. Abell said that such a deal ‘‘complicates” reimbursement from the Federal Aviation Administration for land acquisition. The agency, he said, could reimburse the city for the land — including legal fees incurred — at 95 percent.

As the aldermen get ready to debate the acquisition, they have already given the green light for condemnation proceedings on the Hargett Farm property on Butterfly Lane.

On May 31, four of Frederick’s aldermen approved a recommendation by Mayor W. Jeff Holtzinger (R) to go to court to seize the land for a regional park.

‘‘This is not our preferred method to acquire property,” Holtzinger said. ‘‘... We don’t take this lightly.”

Also on the agenda

Frederick’s Board of Aldermen will meet at 7 p.m., today, at City Hall, to discuss:

*Conveying the Fisher Building on Creek Side Alley to Fitzgerald’s Heavy Timber Construction of Thurmont for renovation.

*Authorizing the mayor to contract with Cigna for a new employee health plan.

*A $3.8 million agreement to complete the Potomac River Transmission water main tie-in.