Planning commission grants concept approval, delegates final sign-off for Manor at River Run event facility

The Planning and Zoning Commission granted concept plan approval for the Manor at River Run (SD-22-0004), a proposed events facility on a 28.8-acre property off Old Bachman Valley Road, and delegated final sign-off of the site plan to the commission chair by a 4–1 vote.

County staff presented the concept plan and noted the property includes historic buildings (a circa-1861 manor house), multiple outbuildings and roughly 7.2 acres encumbered by Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation (MALPF) easements. Staff said MALPF had reviewed the proposal and approved the changes with the requirement that any septic replacement area be designed as a deep-trench system.

The applicants described the plan as focused on an event parking area adjacent to an existing barn and a covered restroom/trailer location; the design shows a permanent parking pad that will be cut into an existing slope with a retaining wall and added pull-offs along the long private driveway to facilitate entering and leaving traffic. The driveway is an historic stone drive that narrows in places; the applicant requested and received two pull-off areas and will pursue easements where the driveway crosses adjacent property.

Staff told the commission the property is outside the water/sewer service area and will rely on well and septic systems; the health department has approved water and septic plans in concept, and the project will use a deep-trench septic system within an existing MALPF easement area following MALPF’s approval. Stormwater will be primarily handled by a submerged gravel wetland, and concept approvals were reported from stormwater, grading, and soil conservation reviewers. Fire protection approved the concept plan as designed.

The commission asked for documentary confirmation of MALPF’s approval; staff located correspondence in the file but agreed to provide the formal MALPF approval letter for the record. The commission also discussed the driveway’s narrow sections and the need for recorded easements where the corrected pull-offs encroach on adjacent parcels; applicants said they have agreements in principle with neighbors for reciprocal access and would secure recorded easements before final approval.

Commissioners praised the site as an appropriate adaptive reuse of a historic property and noted the project’s potential to preserve an otherwise difficult-to-farm parcel, while emphasizing the need to finalize easement arrangements, public-work driveway apron details, and any house-accessibility plans. The commission voted to allow the chair to approve the final site plan, subject to completion of those outstanding items; the roll call recorded four yeas and one nay.

Next steps: Applicants must provide final documentation (including MALPF approval letter and recorded easements where required) before the chair signs off on the final site plan.