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Zoning administrator updates commissioners on water projects, stalled car wash and staffing change
Summary
The Hampstead zoning administrator told the Planning and Zoning Commission Wednesday that the town’s water system modernization grant was approved by council and sent to MDE, that bids for water treatment plant inspection services are being narrowed, and that a proposed private car wash has been withdrawn.
The Hampstead zoning administrator updated the Planning and Zoning Commission Wednesday on several town projects, developer plan reviews and a staff change.
On the town’s water system modernization and centralization project, the zoning administrator said the town council approved the grant agreement and the package was sent to the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE). The administrator said the town is pursuing an EPA loan and that the town expects the Board of Public Works to review loan funding on June 11; construction plans remain under MDE review and the town expects to go to bid for water treatment plant work in early June.
“We hope to go to bid for the water treatment plants, basically in early June,” the zoning administrator said, adding the town has solicited proposals for construction inspection services and narrowed the field to two firms after reference checks and interviews.
Separately, the administrator said Tractor Supply and Weiss Gas and Go resubmitted plans to Carroll County Stormwater Management and have held virtual meetings with county staff to resolve comments. A proposed car wash project, which earlier proposed using stormwater for most operations and a well as backup, was withdrawn after the developer concluded the water allocation request exceeded the property’s allowable allocation.
The administrator also told the commission the town had issued letters to property owners — including the former Windsor State Bank parcel and the Pizza Hut owner — requiring regular grass cutting and weed control where vacant lots were becoming overgrown. When commissioners asked about a nearby junkyard, the administrator said it is in county jurisdiction and not a town enforcement matter.
On staffing, the administrator said longtime staff member Elizabeth has left to return to her former work on cell-tower permitting; the town is hiring an administrative assistant and will move Christina into an acting assistant zoning administrator role.
Commissioners asked clarifying questions about forest bank versus on-site conservation for a separate pipeline offset and about county reviewer comments; staff said those items were returned to county reviewers and reviews were expected back within days to weeks.
