MINUTES

WALKERSVILLE BURGESS & COMMISSIONERS WORKSHOP MEETING

CENTURY CENTER ANNEXATION

July 21, 2010

The workshop of the Walkersville Burgess & Commissioners was called to order on Wednesday, July 21, 2010, at 7:00 p.m. Those in attendance included Burgess Ralph Whitmore, Commissioners Sam Eyler, Donald Schildt, Chad Weddle, Russell Winch, and Debbie Zimmerman, Planning and Zoning Administrator Susan Hauver, Town Attorney David Severn, Ed Waters of the Frederick News-Post, Century Center representatives Jim Fitzgerald, Krista McGowan and Chris Smariga, and two citizens.

The meeting was called to order by Burgess Ralph Whitmore.

1. DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED CENTURY CENTER ANNEXATION

Town Attorney David Severn reviewed the terms of the annexation agreement.

Commissioner Winch noted the following: (1) allowing temporary wells and septic systems will cause the Town to be viewed as being inconsistent; (2) the only public comments with merit came from the Crums and residents of Retreat Road; (3) the submitted traffic study is a "worthless document"; (4) he not sure annexing the property is worth doing; (5) Mr. Brady’s letter contained good suggestions; and (6) they should relook at the water in light of the situation with the Lehigh quarry.

Commissioner Schildt noted he too has problems with the temporary use of septic systems. He also thought all the roads should be designed to Town standards rather than having County roads designed to County standards.

Commissioners discussed the options for the applicant to supply an additional 300,000 gallons of water per day as specified in the Agreement. In response to a question about the amount of water the development would need, Mr. Fitzgerald expressed his preference for completing an APFO study to determine the range of water amounts that might be generated by uses permitted in the Limited Industrial district. He said that the Omega Center, which he developed in Frederick uses only 60,000 gallons per day. Commissioner Winch felt that a study would indicate that potential users could use more than 300,000 gpd.

Commissioner Zimmerman felt that drilling multiple wells on the Walker Farm would diminish the value of the farm. She supported exploring the quarries as a possible water source.

Commissioner Weddle summed up the priorities: the first goal would be to obtain quarry water; second, water from the existing wells on the Walker Farm; and third, another well at Community Park.

Attorney Severn said that he would work with Ms. McGowan to revise the Annexation Agreement as follows:

With regard to water, obtaining the 300,000 from one or more of the following (in priority order): the quarry as part of an agreement with the contract purchaser or owner; no more than 125,000 gallons per day from the existing wells on the Walker Farm; and/or a new well at Community Park.
If any property owners are affected by the wells, the applicant will compensate them for their loss;
An effort will be made to re-name the southern part of Retreat Road to Retreat Woods Road or Retreat School Road (Burgess Whitmore cleared this name with the Toms family);
The applicant will have 1 year to connect to the sewer system once it becomes available;
All references to the Moxley property will be changed to the Walker Farm;
Leave in the requirement of the applicant to improve the intersection of Retreat Road and Biggs Ford Road;
Signs will be installed on MD 194, Biggs Ford Road, Fountain Rock Road and Retreat Road, directing traffic to the center and away from the northern part of Retreat Road.

Respectfully submitted,

Susan Hauver

Planning & Zoning Administrator