Havre de Grace council approves MOU to move emergency access and accept developer funding for water upgrades amid resident objections

Havre de Grace — The Havre de Grace Mayor and City Council on May 19 adopted two memoranda of understanding (MOUs) tied to the Bully Rock development: one to relocate an emergency access road linking Bully Rock and Greenway Farm and a second to accept developer funds to finance upgrades to the Graceview water tower and nearby pumping stations.

The council approved the emergency-access MOU (calendar resolution 2025‑08) by a 5–1 vote and approved the funding MOU for water system improvements (calendar resolution 2025‑09) unanimously, 6–0. Councilmembers who moved and seconded the emergency‑access measure were Councilmember Schneggis (mover) and Councilmember Jones (second). The water‑funding MOU was introduced by Councilmember Schneggis and seconded by the council president.

Why it matters: The two actions affect public‑safety access for a neighborhood that currently has a single in/out route and the city’s near‑term water capacity in a growth corridor. The emergency‑access change is intended to create a wider, 20‑foot route more suitable for fire and ambulance access; the water MOU leverages developer prepayments to accelerate booster‑pump and other upgrades the city says are required to serve planned new housing.

Residents who live near the proposed access voiced objections during public comment, pressing the council for clearer answers about property ownership, the possibility of eminent domain, and whether the developer would fund a separate traffic signal project at Martha Lewis Boulevard and Route 40.

“Someone is going to get killed at that intersection,” said Robert Gibson of 1654 Minquis Street, urging the council to reject the emergency‑access agreement. Jeffrey Beck, of Greenway Farm, also asked the council to “vote no” and questioned why an existing gated access further into the neighborhood would not be used instead.

City staff and supporters of the revisions said the moved access point was proposed after emergency responders reviewed the grade and width of the existing opening and recommended a different location that can be constructed to modern standards. Planning staff explained the relocated access would allow a 20‑foot‑wide road to be graded and built in a way the current opening cannot accommodate.

“We were exploring options of moving it ... because it provides a 20‑foot wide road and would allow access for emergency vehicles such as fire and ambulance,” a city staff member said at the meeting, describing the fire chief’s preference. Director of Administration Dr. Ritchie told the council the MOU is contingent on the city negotiating terms with the property owner; staff are still completing a title search to determine ownership of the parcel that would host the new access.

On the connection between the proposed access and the traffic signal at Martha Lewis and Route 40, Dr. Ritchie said the two matters are not linked in this MOU. “The city just frankly can’t require this developer to contribute anything towards an improvement at that intersection,” Dr. Ritchie said, noting that because the new Bully Rock access will serve Bully Rock traffic, it does not create a proportionate impact that would obligate the developer to pay for a signal there under the city’s mitigation rules.

Residents raised cost concerns. “Why are we putting $500,000 towards a road that nobody wants and not fixing a problem that is a public issue?” said Robert Gibson, who told council members he had been supplied cost estimates suggesting intersection repairs could reach $500,000–$600,000. The city characterized those figures as statements from residents and said project cost estimates and responsibilities would be clarified in negotiation and design steps.

On the water and sewer MOU, staff described a separate agreement under which the Bully Rock developer will prepay connection fees (the council was told the amount tied to the package of 75 homes is $1,875,000) that the city will use as a loaned source to fund immediate upgrades to the Graceview booster station and routine maintenance at Native Dancer and Northwest Regional pumping stations. City staff said the city — not the developer — will administer the capital project and that, once the prepaid units are built, normal capital cost recovery charges will apply for subsequent connections.

“Right now, the biggest focus is our Graceview Booster Pump Station,” Director of Public Works Joe Conway told the council. “We need to upgrade that ASAP. This is a perfect opportunity to do it.” Council members said the approach lets the city pursue upgrades without issuing new bonds immediately.

Council deliberations included requests to staff for clarity and safeguards. Councilmember Boker asked that any vacancies or changes related to the city’s internal operations be handled in accordance with charter and code. Councilmember Boyer requested that the administration and public works coordinate placement of any gate or no‑parking signs so pedestrian visibility at the nearby Tidings Park crosswalk is not compromised.

In adopting the emergency‑access resolution, the council also approved language authorizing the city to negotiate with the property owner and — if necessary — pursue additional authority, including eminent domain, subject to later council action. Staff reiterated that no eminent‑domain action has been started and that the MOU itself requires successful negotiation with the property owner before physical work can proceed.

What’s next: The city will complete the title search and continue negotiations with the property owner. Public Works and the fire chief will finalize design requirements for the relocated access to meet emergency‑vehicle standards. For the water upgrades, the city will manage the project using the developer prepayment as bridge funding and return to council with project scopes, schedules and related contract approvals.

The council made clear at the meeting that questions remain about ownership, exact scope and timing; several residents said they expect further public review as those details are firmed up.

— Article provenance: the council introduced and adopted calendar resolution 2025‑08 (emergency access MOU) and calendar resolution 2025‑09 (water/pump station MOU) during the May 19, 2025 Havre de Grace council meeting. Direct public comments and staff explanations are recorded in the meeting transcript.