Planning commission recommends Taneytown annexation of two small Harney Road parcels to Board of County Commissioners

The Planning and Zoning Commission voted May 20 to recommend that Carroll County’s Board of County Commissioners consider a proposed annexation by the city of Taneytown for two contiguous parcels at 3300 and 3212 Harney Road.

Javier Toro presented the Taneytown annexation request. The two parcels total 0.55806 acres (parcel 1: 0.4682 acres; parcel 2: 0.1123 acres). Toro said the properties are contiguous to Taneytown’s corporate limits and lie inside the city’s designated growth area. The property owner requested annexation after the county health department notified the owner of a failing septic system; municipal sewer connection was identified as the most feasible remedy.

Toro said Taneytown confirmed the annexed parcels would retain the same residential land‑use classification (R‑10,000 equivalent) and no zoning waiver was required. Staff recommended the city provide public notice and notify adjoining property owners before Taneytown’s public hearing. The planning commission’s recommendation will be included in the county staff report to the Board of County Commissioners; the county hearing was scheduled for May 22.

Motion and outcome: the commission moved and seconded a recommendation in favor of the annexation as presented by staff; the voice vote was recorded 5 yeas, 0 nays.

Next steps: staff will include the commission’s recommendation in the submission to the Board of County Commissioners, which will take action at its May 22 meeting. Toro said the city and county will follow statutory notice requirements for municipal annexation and public hearing procedures.