Ten months ago Tilghman Island was one of two new enterprise zones approved by the state. The County Council seems to have forgotten about this when they reduced the number of events venues can have across the county with outside music from 12 to 6 with an entire new set of costly requirements imposed upon the people who want to make Tilghman a third economic development engine for the county. Obviously Easton and St. Michaels are exempt because they are incorporated communities. In its rush to finish their work on Next Step 190 no time was given for alternative views, public hearing, testimony, or special exceptions to this late addition to the new planning document. Its a shame that the planning commission has ignored the fact that the state has made an investment in us and the county council has limited our ability to grow economically, and be a third hub in our county’s economic growth. Perhaps our newly elected county council will reconsider this oversight when the new council session begins, assuming that the people we elect will be willing to reconsider the oversight of the current council. Lest we forget, here is what occurred in the winter of 2017-18.
In December 2017, the Talbot County Board of Education gave Tilghman citizens more time to try to repopulate the island’s elementary school. As of September 30,2018 our elementary school population had risen from 59 to 104. Less than a month later, the Maryland Department of Commerce designated and expanded two enterprise zones in the state — and Tilghman is one of them. The village of Tilghman has been approved for a new enterprise zone to include 85 acres containing the village center and two waterfront properties, the Maryland Department of Commerce announced on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018.
The enterprise zone program, established in 1982, provides local property and state income tax credits to businesses that create jobs and make capital investments. The county intends to build on and revitalize the community by taking advantage of the numerous incentives that accompany enterprise zone designation. “The economic vitality of Tilghman is important for our county, and we at the Talbot County Council are delighted that portions of the island were designated an enterprise zone,” Talbot County Council President Jennifer Williams said. “This economic development tool will help retain our businesses and provide a valuable incentive to attract new enterprises” .
“We think this is going to be another opportunity to give the Economic Development Commission the chance to work with businesses and give to them more tools in their toolbox to help with their renaissance,” Al Silverstein said. He is a member of the commission, and president and CEO of the Talbot County Chamber of Commerce. During the past five years, businesses in Maryland’s enterprise zones have made a total of $13.5 billion in capital investments.
The excitement has grown on Tilghman Island as the Wylder Hotel has opened and has generated a significant level of business for the island and the county. Our landmark Tilghman Island Inn has been sold to new owners who plan to open in the spring. A new kiosk is under construction at the entrance to the island with an advanced ATM “branch” supported by 1880 Bank. The Knapps Narrows channel was dredged by the Army Corp of Engineers once again allowing larger private vessels and workboats to shortcut travel time to various destinations while importantly providing additional opportunities for island businesses to provide various services to travelers. Our local restaurants and store owners have seen a significant upswing in business over the summer.
Unfortunately our optimism has been curbed by recent actions of the planning commission involved in the last minute revision of county regulations under next step 190 which were never discussed in open hearings and, unfortunately, were approved by the county council. After much discussion and a split vote the acceptable decibel level for outdoor music was raised to 60db allowing music to be played at local venues at a level acceptable level for an overwhelming majority of island residents. It appeared to island residents that one more step had been taken to revitalize the tourism industry for the island as well as an overall increase in tourism dollars for the county. Alas, recent actions by the Council, have endangered the initial progress made by the business community on the island. A revised set of regulations has reduced the number of outside events that can be held in hotels in the county outside of incorporated areas (St. Michaels and Easton) by 50% from 12 to 6 per year unless a special exception is applied for and granted. It is my understanding that the office of economic development and tourism were not consulted or involved in these changes. Costs in the thousands of dollars for new equipment to monitor sound levels are now required of businesses that must self monitor their noise levels and be prepared to present that data to the county. Further, no public discussion of these new regulations were available to the public nor were they shared with the public until the final vote approving those regulations was held despite concerns raised by at least one member of the County Council. Despite the work of the economic development office in the county and our hope that Tilghman can truly be an economic engine for tourism and additional jobs and income for the county, the action of the Council and the Planning Commission has made the further expansion of economic opportunity in the county more difficult and expensive than it was, through its recent actions.
The next few weeks of campaigning by persons seeking positions on the county council will be critical for those of us who believe that a certain amount of flexibility must be given in areas of the county where growth is critical, and residents are supportive of that growth must have a voice in the determination of those growth patterns. In point of fact, this will be the most significant variable for me in my decision making on election day. We need council members that are supportive of a reenergized Bay Hundred and Tilghman Island, supportive of growth in the county, supportive of the business community and supportive of those members of the community that are investing substantial resources in making the county an attractive place for investment, that will bring increasing jobs, increased income, and a higher standard of living for our residents. I will listen carefully to the nominees that are asking for our votes for county council and make my decision accordingly, not by party, but by those candidates that have the best interests of our community as their top priority and are willing to share those positions in open and honest conversations. My limited experience with the planning commission and certain members of the Council, suggests that they see things differently.
Jay Shotel is a Professor Emeritus of Special Education and Disability Studies at George Washington University where he has trained teachers of children with disabilities and held a variety of administrative positions for more than 40 years. He has been a resident of Tilghman Island since 2004,
Jay Shotel says
As a follow up to this article, I was recently informed by several council members that a matrix that is sent by the planning commission to the county council for proposed changes in the regulations, however when this change occurred the planning commission conveniently omitted the changes with regard to the number of allowed events and the equipment required mentioned in the article above. In a 350 page document it is not surprising that the council did not notice the change. Once again, it is critically important for the voters to see where individual council members stand on this issue prior to our upcoming election.
Sarah Landon says
I too am dismayed to learn about these changes that will impede rather than promote econonomic growth on Tilghman Island and in the Bay Hundred area. Neither I nor my husband, full-time Tilghman Island residents, will vote for any county council members who were involved in these changes that were never presented or debated. While I empathize with neighbors who feel that live music will negatively impact their peace, perhaps they should have considered that when purchasing homes near these businesses. It seem inherently unfair to ask long term businesses that have operated for many years to change when they were here long before those who oppose them.
Jay Shotel says
I hope that the addendum clarifies that it is my understanding it was the planning commission that did not inform the county council of the changes mentioned in the last version of the document. Please read carefully the positions of candidates running for office with regard to their support of the position of the vast majority of the voters on Tilghman Island as well as others in the county that support reasonable growth, reasonable levels of noise, and reasonable rules regarding short term rentals.
Catherine Richards says
I am so grateful for Mr. Shotels detailed letter and input on this.
Frankly, I had lost track of what the ‘final’ outcome was on ‘next step 190.
I may have been the only resident of the county & Tilghman Island who struggled to follow exactly what was happening with ‘next step’…but i doubt it.
The entire process become incredibly convoluted. Issues were muddled as an ‘across the board’ policy was proposed for a county with hugely diverse needs and goals. There were delayed and rescheduled meetings, amendments and changes to portions of the proposal that i found difficult to keep track of.
Selfishly, as a resident of Tilghman Island my primary concern was ‘liberation’ for our local businesses when it came to live entertainment.
Only now, as i read Mr. Shotels piece, do i see that not only were they not liberated but it would appear the opposite has occured. The shackles on our local business owners in the area of live entertainment have been tightened.
Will live entertainment restrictions mean the total demise of our seasonal tourist industry? Doubtful, but i cry shame on you for failure to see the importance of this one issue on the tourist based businesses of the island. As Mr. Shotel clearly points out, for the first time in many years Tilghman residents and business owners are looking at an ‘all venues up and running’ scenario for 2019. This is a huge opportunity for the entire community to benefit from the optimal tourist and income influx scenario. Every nuance matters as we welcome visitors to the island and hope that after they’ve gone we’ve given them an experience that they will want to repeat and share with others.
I agree that we should all be carefully investigating each of the nominees not only for their polictical positions on ‘larger’ issues but also on those seemingly ‘tiny’ issues that have ‘larger’ impact on the ability of our communities to grow and thrive.