Talbot County Comprehensive Plan Navigates Two Decades of Controversy by Carol Yoyles

Last updated in 2016, our Talbot County Comprehensive Plan is in that process now; and we’ve been advised to pay attention.

Described as part of a planning process to determine aspirational goals and provide guidance for development, the stated purpose of our Talbot County Comprehensive Plan is “to promote a high quality of life, to preserve the rural character of our county, and to protect the health, safety and well-being of its citizens in a resilient community.

The primary purpose  of the Town of Trappe Comprehensive Plan remains word-for-word identical to its 2010 purpose “to ensure coordinated and harmonious development in the Town and its environs while preserving the natural and traditional village settings central to its character.”

A vision statement can be part of this process, too. There’s always the possibility of guidance leading to legislation, and state code reinforces that possibility:

Section 9-503 of the Environmental Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland requires Maryland Department of the Environment to issue and enforce permits according to regulatory standards, and

Section 9-505 requires counties to be responsible for the planning, financing and oversight of sewerage “in a manner consistent with all county and local comprehensive plans.”

This may seem aspirational, but we do have both state and county code.

With concerns for development in the Town of Trappe following the annexation of over 800 acres in 2002, in 2007 Talbot County passed Resolution 141 reaffirming the state-mandated role of county oversight for the planning and construction of wastewater and sewer systems.

We also have Resolution 281 to amend the Talbot County Comprehensive Water and Sewer Plan (CWSP) to reclassify and remap 865 acres, more or less, annexed by the Town of Trappe to be programmed and amended relative to the Lakeside project from fiscal year 2020 through 2030.

Voted down by planning and zoning and approved (3-2) by the planning commission, the last council passed (4-1)Resolution 281 on August 11, 2020.

Six more years? Without county oversight acknowledged “in writing?”

Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) approval of Resolution 281 was accompanied on November 4, 2020 by Water and Sewer Division Director Lee Curry’s letter requesting equivalent  Dwelling Units (EDUs) for planning purposes.

There would be more of those, but both Resolution 308 and Resolution 313 to amend failed (3-2) on March 3, 2022.

Public sentiment following the hearing at the community center on October 31, 2021 seemed clear; but unable to reach an agreement locally regarding the terms of a permit application, a permit for 100,000 gpd spray wastewater, not 540,000, was issued by MDE on October 27, 2022.

The New Year was ushered in with requests to rescind Resolution 281 and consider planning measures at the council’s January 24, 2023 meeting.  After two decades of controversy, planning seems like a plan.

Back to the “Plans.”

Having been reminded at their last meeting of letters from MDE dated April 27, 2023 and May 9, 2023 requesting EDUs for all phases of Lakeside and updated maps for the Town of Trappe, a July 21, 2023  letter included a reminder of the August 31, 2023 deadline for submission of documents.

Informed on August 8 that EDUs had been provided by the Town of Trappe, and that those numbers would be included in the 2023 (Draft) Report of the Review, a long discussion of procedure for submission of updated Town of Trappe maps followed.

With an August 31 deadline, submitting this in “one step” with the  2023 (Draft) Report of the Review would save time. Documents are sent to MDE, reviewed, then returned to the county for review by the planning commission and public works.

And this does take time.

Advised that two steps could take months, or even “into next year,” and assured that a link would be provided “at the Talbot County government website for public review,” the council voted (4-1) to deliver the updated maps in one step with the 2023 (Draft) Report of Review.

Having concluded by their August 22 meeting that not only would more time be required to review these documents, submitting a map that isn’t approved, but will be approved as part of the 2023 Report of Review, isn’t acceptable; the council rescinded their previous decision and voted (3-2) to submit the updated maps and draft documents in two steps.

The next council meeting is scheduled for 5 pm, September 12, 2023.

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.