Council delays Epping Forest Special Community Benefit District loan after hours of testimony; vote to hold passes 6–1
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Summary
After a lengthy public hearing with residents and boat-club leaders divided, the council voted to postpone action on a $1.5 million Epping Forest Special Community Benefit District loan until Sept. 2 to allow further review of new information and legal questions.
The County Council on July 21 postponed consideration of a $1.5 million SCBD loan for Epping Forest after more than an hour of public testimony and follow-up questions from council members. The motion to hold the vote until the council’s Sept. 2 legislative session passed 6–1.
Ethan Hunt, representing the administration, described the loan request from Epping Forest Incorporated as a financing plan to allow the community association to borrow $1.5 million from M&T Bank “for renovation and replacement of the community marina,” with a 10‑year loan term amortized over 20 years. The ordinance would allow the county to levy special taxes within the SCBD to repay the loan.
Supporters, including Stacy Korbelak, president of Epping Forest Inc., and Kevin Varner, president of the Epping Forest Boat Club, said the community voted in favor of the marina and loan and that bids are in hand. Korbelak said the community vote was “115 in favor of the marina and loan and 64 opposed,” and that regulatory approvals from MDE and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers were already in place. Varner described a competitive bidding process and said the club planned demolition in October and construction off‑season.
Opponents pointed to infrastructure needs that they said should take priority. Resident Delia Deshane said the community faces an aging water system, failing roads and stormwater issues and called the marina expansion “unnecessary, unhealthy, and irresponsible.” Jeff Stockdale urged the council to reject the measure as premature, noting “there is currently a variance under appeal” and raising concerns about project financing; he told the council the loan “includes a $1,000,000 balloon payment in year 11,” a point raised by public commenters.
Council member Radbien moved to hold the vote after receiving a large volume of new materials that morning; she said she wanted time to review questions with the Office of Law. Council member Pickard voted against the hold. The roll call on the final motion to hold was: Pickard — Nay; Volkke — Aye; Spiedler — Aye; Radbien — Aye; Ledbetter — Aye; Smith — Aye; Hummer — Aye. The motion carried, 6 in favor, 1 opposed.
Why it matters: The Epping Forest Special Community Benefit District is funded by taxes levied on properties within the district; the council’s role is to approve the district’s request to use those funds to repay a specific financing arrangement. Speakers on both sides argued their positions as property owners and as community stewards; opponents worried the proposed debt would divert SCBD funds from waterworks, roads and stormwater needs.
Next steps: The public hearing is closed, but council members said written materials may be submitted to the record. The item will appear on the council’s Sept. 2 agenda for a final vote unless withdrawn or amended before then.
