By Amy Madert
Urbana Maryland, a suburb in Frederick County, had a population of only 622 people in 2001. In 2015 that number increased to 11,154 people.
The speed in which the population is growing impacts every aspect of a community – the people, the businesses and the resources.
“We are building in the areas that people want to live in,” Denise Jacoby, Executive Officer at the Frederick County Building Industry Association (FCBIA), said. “These areas tend to be favorable by large populations, which lead to more development.
The Villages of Urbana was first established in 1999. It has quickly become one of the most populated, desired and changed areas in Frederick. The plan for the community aimed to recreate a classic small town feel and way of living.
Today the town of Urbana community plan includes five schools and a sixth set to open in the 2017-2018 school year, two parks and a third in development, a handful of amenities including a library, swimming pools and hiking trails, a variety of shops and restaurants and mixed-use development areas.
Frederick City issued 267 building permits last year, which Jacoby says is considered low and should be closer to 500.
In 2014, Ballenger Creek, Urbana and Spring Ridge were the most populated areas in Frederick County. Ballenger Creek had a population of 18,400, Urbana had a population (at the time) of 9,990, and Spring Ridge had a population of 5,895.
In one year Urbana’s population increased by over 1,000 people.
“The demographic continuously shifts, which changes where homes are built, needed and wanted,” Jacoby said.
Although Frederick is seeing growth as a whole, both residents and professionals in the building industry can agree that Urbana is one of the most highly desirable communities in Frederick County.
“A good amount of the population in Urbana moved from the Washington suburbs or Montgomery County or works in the Washington area,” Jacoby said. “The convenient access to Interstate 270 and the chance to live in a high end, yet comfortable area, is a luxury of its own.”
Regina Ausherman, an Urbana resident for over 10 years, started a family in Urbana and doesn’t have plans to leave.
“We came to Urbana because we liked the feel and appearance of the homes and area, we knew the schools were some of the best and it felt like a family community,” Ausherman said.
“People want to live in Urbana,” Jacoby said laughing. “It’s as simple as that.”
Jenifer Boccia Werts has lived in the Villages of Urbana for 12 years, has two sons at Urbana Elementary and runs two family businesses there.
“I get 80% of my clients right from my neighborhood,” Werts said. “I’m a photographer and photograph tons of families and children here. There are amazing locations to shoot at very near by. My husband owns his own small business too and 90% of his clients live here (he’s Urbana Handyman, LLC).”
Ausherman and Berts love what their community has to offer; however, they each have their own concerns about the growth happening every day in their backyard.
Ausherman said she feels the growth is happening too quickly and that there aren’t enough resources to keep up with the speed.
“I worry about the overcrowding of schools and although there is evidence of finding and creating solutions, I don’t see how the problem will ever go away if there is always more development,” Ausherman said. “I also find myself driving through town wondering why we have x, y or z. I don’t mind the growth, but wish more of it was practical.”
Berts said she doesn’t mind the growth, but cares that it takes an extended amount of time to get certain amenities, “like the skate park that is finally being built,” she said. “Our kids need more hang out spots to keep them busy and safe.”
The plan for the Urbana area has been set in place since before it broke ground nearly 20 years ago, Jacoby explained. “The specific businesses that open up, whether a Burger King opens or a Roy Rogers, changes based on the market. The plan is tweaked based on a variety of factors,” Jacoby said. “There is a certain amount of commercial space, residential space and recreational space set in place but it’s hard to determine what specific business or amenity will go in 10 years beforehand; however, we try to have as much predictability as possible.”
Jacoby said the building industry prides itself for being part of the solution to the concern
s of its community members.
“You can’t please everyone at the same time,” Jacoby said. “It is always about compromise and finding a solution to please the problem not each individual.”
With the addition of the Urban Green apartment complex adding 352 new residencies, as well as adding more commercial additions to Urbana, a new elementary school, Sugarloaf Elementary, and the restoration of the old Urbana Park, Urbana will continue to expand and become more desirable by young couples starting out and families.
“I’m excited to continue to raise my family in such a community driven place,” Werts said. “And although it’s always changing, it still feels the same as when we moved here 12 years ago.”