Planning Board approves water-designation change and feasibility study for Manor Shopping Center

After extended debate, the Baltimore County Planning Board voted 9–4 on Sept. 4 to change the Manor Shopping Center's water designation from W7 to W3 and to require a county-conducted feasibility study on costs and potential service areas for any proposed waterline extension. The sewer designation remained S7 (no change).

Board members spent the longest portion of the Cycle 43 water and sewer amendment discussion on petition 25-02, which concerns Manor Shopping Center at 3499 Sweet Air Road. The petition drew questions about current water service, costs to extend service, and the business implications for an anchor shopping center that reportedly receives trucked water deliveries.

DPWT staff said the area currently does not have a public water pipeline available. "The designation change does not guarantee that a pipeline would be extended to the property," Andrew Brown, Department of Public Works and Transportation staff, told the board during discussion.

Justin Hall, also with DPWT, read the department's definition of a W3 designation: "areas in which water and sewer facilities are required and are possible within the framework of the 6 year capital program subject to annual budgeting, neighborhood petitions, determination of health hazards, and negotiation of public works agreements." He also noted DPWT had no current plans to extend water service to that area and therefore had objected to a straight W3 recommendation.

Board members referenced testimony that the center was receiving trucked water on a regular basis; one board member noted the petitioner reported bringing in approximately "30,000 gallons" per month. Brown estimated possible project costs only as a ballpark: "The orders of magnitude is probably in the in the 10,000,000 plus range," he said, while cautioning that a meaningful estimate would require study.

The board considered three motions. The first motion (to accept staff recommendations of no change but with a feasibility study) and the second motion (no change, no study) each failed in separate roll-call votes. A third motion — to change the water designation to W3, keep sewer as S7, and require a county feasibility study on costs and potential service areas — passed 9–4.

Action details

- Final motion: "Be it moved that the Baltimore County Planning Board recommends the change from W7 S7 to no change to S7, but a W3 change as requested by the petitioner with the condition that the county conduct a feasibility study to look at cost and potential service areas for any proposed waterline extension." (mover/second: not specified/seconded) - Outcome: approved (9–4) - Roll-call excerpt for final vote: Mister Tennant — yes; Mister Shulman — yes; Miss Pinero — no; Miss Munozes — yes; Miss Lilly — yes; Mister Johnson — yes; Mister Hinton — yes; Mister Heinel — no; Miss German — yes; Mister Duvall — no; Miss Brophy — yes; Mister Bridal — no; Mister O'Rey — yes. - Tally: yes 9, no 4, abstain 0.

Context and implications

DPWT and Planning staff explained that a W3 designation indicates an area that could be considered for capital improvements within a six-year capital program but does not obligate the county to build pipeline infrastructure. Brown emphasized the designation alone "does not guarantee that a pipeline would be extended to the property." Planning staff noted the site is outside the Metropolitan District and outside the county’s urban/rural demarcation line, criteria that weighed against support for a designation change.

Director Lafferty told the board that a feasibility study would require budgeted capital funds because the property is outside the Metropolitan District and such a study cannot be paid for with Metropolitan District funds. The study would be subject to the county capital budget process.

The board’s action does not itself authorize construction; it changes the planning designation and requires staff to pursue a feasibility study and report back as part of future capital planning.