July 2002

At its June meeting the Town Council was presented with another annexation petition. This request came from Buckeye Development and was approved for consideration by the commissioners and forwarded to the Emmitsburg Planning and Zoning Commission for review at the June 24, 2002 meeting. Buckeye Development is requesting that the Town annex the farm property on the west side of North Seton Avenue (the Boyle farm). If Buckeye Development is successful in achieving annexation, this developer is planning to build single-family homes on approximately 75 percent of the land, and town houses on approximately 25 percent of the land.

Water issue. As many of you know Mt. St. Mary's College just recently withdrew an annexation petition to annex property along South Seton Ave. and Old Frederick Rd (on the east side of Rt. 15). Mt. St. Mary's made the decision to withdraw due to the Town of Emmitsburg not being able to meet the annexation request. In Mt. St. Mary's annexation petition the Town was required to guarantee 120,000 gallons of water each day. Although the Town has been attempting to locate additional resources of water by drilling additional wells, to this date, the Town still does not have a sufficient surplus of water to make that type of guarantee with our water supply.

More houses. If the Town of Emmitsburg approves Buckeye Development's annexation petition, this property could yield approximately 150 homes. Although the Town was concerned about the amount of water needed in Mt. St. Mary's annexation request, I do not believe Buckeye Development's request will be hindered on the same issue. In most cases residential property uses far less water then commercial properties. On average, residential units/homes in Emmitsburg use less then 200 gallons of water per unit per day.

Annexation Meetings. Municipalities have a legal obligation to hear and consider all annexation requests in a timely manner. Buckeye Development's annexation petition is being considered by the Town Council and reviewed by the Emmitsburg Planning and Zoning Commission. It is expected to be heard and voted on at the August 5 Town Meeting. This annexation request is schedule to be heard by the Frederick County Planning Commission on Wednesday July 17 at 3 p.m. and by the Frederick County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday July 30 at 8:30 a.m.

I look forward to serving you.  If you have any questions, please feel free to call the town office, or e-mail me at mayorhoover@emmitsburgmd.gov

Respectfully,
Jim Hoover