Commissioners keep record open on two proposed Chester and Graysonville subdivisions that require new water and sewer service

Queen Anne's County commissioners on May 27 held a public hearing on amendments to the county's 2011 Comprehensive Water and Sewage Plan that would add water and sewer service for two proposed residential developments: the Barnstable (Lowry Farm) project in Chester and the Aspire/Spire at Ewing Farm in Graysonville. After presentations and public comment, the board left the record open and did not vote on the amendments.

The Barnstable (Lowry Farm) proposal is centered on tax map 57 and would reclassify about 13 acres to allow roughly 82 townhomes; anticipated wastewater flows were listed at about 20,500 gallons per day with sewer to be served by a vacuum collection station and water by the town of Chester. The Aspire/Spire at Ewing Farm parcel on tax map 58 covers about 12 acres; the developer described a plan of 72 townhomes and 218 single-family lots with anticipated flows of about 72,500 gallons per day and a gravity pump station connection to the Grasonville water system.

Why it matters: Both parcels lie in areas the county's planning documents have earmarked for growth. Approval of the water/sewer amendments would allow the projects to advance through the county's development review steps, including Adequate Public Facilities (APF) study requirements for schools and transportation. Developers and their consultants told the board the projects meet zoning and comprehensive-plan expectations and would generate fiscal benefits; opponents said added housing would create long-term county costs.

Developers and supporters pointed to fiscal and planning analyses. Ryan Showalter, speaking for DNF Development, said the project's fiscal-impact study was intentionally conservative and "demonstrates that this project will have a net fiscal benefit both to the board of ed and to the county as a whole every year resulting in approximately $7,000,000 of net, economic benefit over the life of that study." Lane Engineering representatives described existing water and sewer mains on three sides of the Ewing parcel and said the developer will fund required mitigation and system upgrades during APF review.

Opponents argued the projects would worsen county infrastructure pressures. Jay Falstad of the Queen Anne's Conservation Association opposed both amendments, saying the proposals "do nothing to help alleviate traffic" or school capacity and urging commissioners to reject the changes. Barry Waterman, a Chester resident and developer supporter who described the property as part of the county's long‑planned downtown for Chester, said the Lowry property was intended as a higher‑density town center and urged the board to allow the property to move forward.

What happens next: The board left the hearing record open; a date for a decision was not set during the meeting. Commissioners discussed timing and suggested the next possible vote could occur at an upcoming meeting (officially, the county noted a possible meeting as early as June 10). Formal APF reviews and subsequent subdivision approvals remain required before construction could begin.

Clarifying details: Barnstable/Lowry Farm — ~13 acres; proposed ~82 townhomes; estimated 20,500 gpd wastewater. Aspire/Spire at Ewing Farm — ~12 acres; proposed 72 townhomes + 218 single-family lots; estimated 72,500 gpd wastewater. Both projects were described as located in county-designated growth areas and subject to APF and subdivision review.