We were reminded recently at a “Development, Growth and Environment” presentation that Talbot County is a special place. Talbot County Council Vice President Pete Lesher reminded us that “the rural character of the place can challenge all of us.” He’s a “zoning guy,” and his account of development and growth was comprehensive and informative, but he also made a point of reminding us that our Comprehensive Plan is being updated – and it’s “time to pay attention.”

Our Talbot County Comprehensive Plan guides all development, and the agenda for the March 8 County Council meeting included 17 possible amendments to our 2023-24 Plan. There’s an amendment to replace and upgrade Easton’s Glebe water treatment plant for an estimated $8.6M. It provides safe drinking water for all of Easton. There’s also an amendment to address Tilghman’s underperforming wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) and another to connect Bar Neck and Fairbanks to that plant, at an additional cost of $2M. 

The amendments proposed total approximately $57M, and $43M was allocated to just one project: Connecting the entire Bay Hundred peninsula, including Tilghman and the villages of Sherwood, Wittman, Claiborne and McDaniel to St. Michael’s WWTP. It’s a septic elimination program for the Bay Hundred. 

Talbot County Engineer Ray Clarke explained that this will reduce nitrogen emissions considerably, and funding is available through grants and from the Maryland Department of the Environment. This proposal became Resolution 319. Like the others, it will be forwarded to the Planning Commission and Public Works for approval and then be voted upon by the County Council at their April 12 meeting.

The Council’s agenda includes 17 amendments that can be accessed here: https://talbotcountymd.gov/About-Us/County_Council/council-meeting-videos

Following laughter concerning Resolution 326 being the “gifting” of the failed Wye Mills spray wastewater system to the County, Council president Callahan reminded us that the Council wants what’s best for the community and Talbot County – and an amendment to require ENR standards for wastewater treatment for the first 120 Lakeside homes was introduced.

Until Lakeside’s spray wastewater treatment plant is completed, within a period of possibly 18 months once a permit is issued, Lakeside’s first 120 homes are to be connected to Trappe’s WWTP, a currently underperforming plant scheduled to be upgraded within 3 years. Resolution 327 would supplement Trappe’s service with modular units and/or hauling methods, as required.  

Councilman  Corey Pack still had concerns, but would not be commenting; and Councilman Divilio would “not be supporting Resolution 327.”  

Resolutions 308 and 313 were eligible for votes. 308 had been rejected by the Planning Commission and was withdrawn, but 313 was considered a good alternative. Planning Commissioner Chip Councell acknowledged that the Commission does not consider cost or politics, but “anything that improves water quality, we find consistent.” Considering the pollution in Trappe Creek, he also suggested we might all work together. 

Council Vice President Lesher agreed, adding that “our constituents have concerns, and Resolution 313 is fairly narrowly focused.” But amendment #1 to 313 would be voted down, and Resolution 313 was withdrawn. Instead, a letter would be drafted to Maryland Department of the Environment confirming that Resolution 281 is alive and well – notwithstanding that the Planning Commission has reversed its approval? This letter will be reviewed at the March 22 County Council meeting. 

“We’re all trying to reach the finish line in Trappe,” offered County Attorney Patrick Thomas. Resolution 313 would have prevented the connection of more homes to a system that is underperforming already. That’s all. Resolution 327 will be back to the Council for a vote on April 12. 

Resolution 329 will be back, too. This one calls for a temporary moratorium on large scale solar systems in order to study and address environmental concerns. No arguments there. Perhaps that implies hope for Resolution 327. 

Our County Council will be busy over the next few years. Our population has been pretty much holding steady, and our modest level of growth may not have required a great deal of oversight; but approximately 3,200 new housing units are now scheduled to be built over the next few years, and Talbot has a 2.3 average occupancy rate. That’s over 7,000 new residents.

It is also becoming easier to appreciate Councilman Lesher’s point that development where infrastructure already exists can be more cost effective; but we might also be wondering if sewer service down the Bay Hundred, although it’s a good idea environmentally, could result in far more development.

The County will certainly consider measures such as Civil Facility Ordinances or Sunset Provisions. These are commonly used in other communities so that developers are required to chip in for roads and services and contracts can be reconsidered under certain circumstances.

And hopefully in the not too distant future the County’s authority in these matters will no longer be questioned. That would be a good start.

Carol Voyles is a graphic designer/illustrator who retired to the Eastern Shore and became interested in politics. She serves as communications chair for the Talbot County Democratic Forum and lives in Easton.

Citizens anxious to hear County Council Vice President Pete Lesher’s update on growth and development filled the Oxford Community Center Monday evening. This presentation was sponsored by Talbot Citizens Informed, and Mr. Lesher was introduced by Michele Johnson of Trappe.

“Talbot County is a special place,” he reminded us. “We have a deep appreciation for its history, and Talbot County has more shoreline than any other – 602 miles. Land and water are delicately intertwined, and issues that challenge the rural character of this place can challenge all of us. “

He then explained that his role is to provide a vision of where we’re going. He’s “one of those people” who gets excited about zoning, and he saw Easton expanding at an accelerated pace. Our 2016 Comprehensive Plan envisions a green belt around Easton and towns with a growth boundary – a line drawn around each specifying areas for concentrated development.

Easton is also working on its next plan, and “this is the time to be paying attention.”
Something remarkable happened in Royal Oak In 2016. “People spoke out, and their voices were heard.” Another principle he especially appreciates is growing inward whenever possible. Infill development doesn’t require as much new infrastructure.

Coming developments include 201 homes on Matthewstown Rd. and 439 homes in Poplar Hill Farm, a development on the Easton beltway and “possible traffic concern for Oxford Rd.” The County has a seat at the table at Poplar Hill, though. Due to an adjoining waterway, only so many acres can be developed; and Easton has used all its critical area. “We must hold developers’ feet to the fire.”

The Lakeside development in Trappe “annexed significant territory in 2002.” Those 924 acres are not critical area, but the County does have water and sewer leverage. The plan for a development of 2,501 homes was narrowly favored by the Planning Commission and passed 4-1 by the Council on August 11, 2020, but this decision has since been questioned.

Originally under the impression that all of Lakeside would be serviced by ENR (Enhanced Nutrient Removal), the County has since learned that the first 120 homes would be hooked up to Trappe’s existing underperforming wastewater treatment plant. This plant will be replaced, but how long that might take is the question.

Ways to deal with this issue include modular units or pump and haul; and a resolution requiring Trappe’s plant to be upgraded to ENR before connections are made has been introduced. This is currently being considered by the Planning Commission, which must approve changes to our Comprehensive Water and Sewer Plan.

Affordable housing is also an issue. Ashley Commons (behind Lowes) was cited as a model for development, as it not only provides housing for working class families, it is within walking distance to services and retail outlets.

Broadband service is also an issue in Talbot County. Real estate transactions have been known to fail due to lack of service, but thanks to U.S. Agricultural funding and the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, Talbot now stands a chance of becoming the first county on the Eastern Shore where every residence is connected.

Easton Point is also in the planning stages. Port St. has always been both residential and commercial and it will remain a mixed-use waterfront destination. Developer Paul Prager shares the County’s vision of low-rise buildings, public access and a boardwalk. This is also another example of growing inward and things working well when the town and county can work together. Fostering cooperation is important for both making developments successful and retaining our rural character.

A question was asked regarding how all this development could impact our schools and other services. Talbot County does not have an Adequate Civic Facility Ordinance, a plan requiring impact fees to be paid by the developer. These plans rarely cover all those costs, though. Our Comprehensive plan and our Comprehensive Water and Sewer Plan are currently our primary planning tools.

And what about Lakeside’s proposed spray wastewater system? We were reminded that there are 3 basic systems: discharge to waterway, spray discharge, or discharge into groundwater. St. Michaels and Easton currently have ENR service, and Tilghman’s plant needs work. Mr. Lesher was not familiar with the failure rate of spray wastewater systems, but liability in this case would be Trappe’s, not the County’s. Talbot County is taking over Wye Mills spray wastewater system, but those served are bearing the cost of improvements there.

Might we have an Environmental Impact Study? Maryland Department of the Environment cares about this project because the people care, but such a study has not been considered.

County Council Vice President Lesher then reminded us that our voices are heard and that development can be done well. He requested that we carry this good news away.

Carol Voyles is a graphic designer/illustrator who retired to the Eastern Shore and became interested in politics. She serves as communications chair for the Talbot County Democratic Forum and lives in Easton.

This February 22 County Council meeting gets confusing. A brief review of procedure, as explained so far, could be worthwhile; but feel free to skip down a few paragraphs to the meeting. 

It’s helpful to understand that Maryland Code requires counties to provide oversight for all development. Counties also have authority over towns and villages, but the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) has final authority concerning environmental matters. Comprehensive Water and Sewer Plans are considered, but MDE has the final say. 

Our Plan states that Trappe’s wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) is “in need of upgrades to continue to serve the community.” Resolution 281, passed in 2020, “anticipates agreement” by MDE with the Town of Trappe concerning “the design of Trappe’s upgrade to ENR (Enhanced Nutrient Removal).” 

But the County clearly still has a role to play. A letter from MDE dated February 3 ”respectfully requested that the County Council and the Planning Commission provide a definitive position regarding the proposed project, i.e. Lakeside.” 

Trappe’s underperforming WWTP is scheduled to be upgraded within 3 years, and Lakeside’s spray wastewater irrigation system could be completed within 18 months, once a permit is issued. Both WWTPs would remain in service to Lakeside, and that timeline remains a concern. Why connect more homes to a plant that is still underperforming, if that might be avoided?

Resolution 308 and Resolution 313 are up for votes this evening. The approval of Resolution 308 would rescind Resolution 281 in order to provide the County with the opportunity to amend our Comprehensive Water and Sewer Plan and provide more oversight to Lakeside’s WWTP plans. The approval of an amendment to Resolution 313 would amend our Plan to require Trappe’s WWTP to be upgraded to ENR standards before additional connections are made. 

The Planning Commission must agree in order to pass amendments; and it likely would agree with these, having reversed its approval of Resolution 281 last November. At the February 15 Work Session Chairman Chip Counsell suggested, “the Planning Commission will act upon whatever you guys send us.” 

First up: Resolution 308 to rescind Resolution 281 and amend the Comprehensive Water and Sewer Plan, essentially providing the Council an opportunity to fulfill its obligation for oversight of Lakeside’s wastewater treatment plans. Vice President Pete Lesher reported that the Planning Commission’s report had not yet been completed. Action was deferred until March 14. 

Next up: Resolution 313 to amend the Comprehensive Water and Sewer Plan to require Trappe’s WWTP to be ENR before connections are made. Councilwoman Laura Price suggested that she wanted to hear from the Planning Commission on this measure, too; and this might also be taken up at their March 14 meeting. 

Things got confusing at this point. Concerns included whether or not the amendment had been submitted correctly and whether or not it required advertising. There was also a question regarding whether another public hearing should be scheduled. 

Talbot County Attorney Patrick Thomas reminded the Council that a motion to amend requires a second in order to be sent to the Planning Commission for consideration, but the introduction of an amendment may be submitted by one member and sent directly to the Planning Commission for review. 

After further debate and no new amendments, a suggestion was made to either withdraw the amendment to Resolution 313 or table it. Councilwoman Price reminded us that this amendment simply requires ENR standards before connections are made to Trappe’s WWTP, and that this could be accomplished in a variety of ways. She could also see “how this vote will go.” The amendment to Resolution 313 was tabled before it could be withdrawn.

Last on the agenda was a phone call from Attorney Tom Allspach of the Talbot Preservation Alliance. He reminded Council members of the failure of Wye Mills’ spray irrigation plant and that precautions might be taken in Lakeside.

His concern was “that the developer of Trappe East (Lakeside) WWTP will be relieved of all responsibility once it’s completed, according to the agreement between the developer and the town of Trappe. And inevitably there will be problems. Up to 50% of these systems have problems. We need some means of insuring the responsibility of the developer so that these expenses do not become the responsibility of Talbot County taxpayers.”

Councilman Frank Divilio suggested “Trappe is capable,” and, “This is fear-mongering.”

Council President Callahan added that he is “very proud of them (Trappe) for moving forward.”

Resolution seems a ways off.  

Carol Voyles is a graphic designer/illustrator who retired to the Eastern Shore and became interested in politics. She serves as communications chair for the Talbot County Democratic Forum and lives in Easton.