Residents at the Owings Town Center public input meeting urged county planners to consider environmental constraints before making boundary or zoning changes, citing a polluted Hall Creek, wetlands and frequent flooding that limit development options for private wells and septic systems.

Several residents described worsening conditions in Hall Creek. Jay Don and others reported that the creek is polluted and deepened in places, that dogs and children should avoid it, and that runoff and erosion have created safety and health concerns. Residents said portions of the town‑center area experience frequent flooding and that hydric soils, steep slopes and wetlands will constrain where development can occur.

Why it matters: environmental conditions determine what types of development are feasible — multiple residents and staff noted that wetlands buffers and soil/percolation limits affect where septic systems can be installed and whether public water/sewer would be required. Planning staff said the county’s zoning regulations include wetland buffers and additional protections for steep slopes and floodplain areas.

Health and infrastructure issues: residents noted concerns about private wells being close to Hall Creek and potential contamination. A representative from environmental health was present and the meeting record shows staff will engage health and public‑works departments to evaluate water quality, well safety and stormwater management. Staff also said development review requires buffers from wetlands and expanded protection where steep slopes or hydric soils are present.

Quotes from the meeting: resident Jay Don said Hall Creek is “so polluted currently that we've been told don't even let a dog in there.” Resident William Bailey reported prolonged industrial‑scale noise from a property in the core district and asked that industrial uses be kept out of adjacent residential neighborhoods. Several residents described repeated flooding and erosion problems that they link to changing drainage patterns.

Ending: Planning staff said they will compile environmental concerns and engage appropriate county departments as part of the master plan update; detailed technical analysis (stormwater, soils/percolation and well testing) will be required before any change that enables denser development.