Residents near Hickory Mill Road oppose proposed biorefinery; planning appeal set for March 27

WICOMICO COUNTY, Md. — Dozens of residents around Hickory Mill Road told the Wicomico County Council on Feb. 4 they oppose a proposed bio‑refinery and asked the county to block permits and appeals that would allow the facility to operate in a residential area.

Speakers said the project, located on a property near Log Cabin and Atkins roads, was mischaracterized in permit paperwork as an agricultural storage building and that state review and notices were not shared with neighbors. Residents cited potential air emissions, truck traffic, proximity to day care centers, well‑water risks and property‑value impacts.

“I'm here to put on public record my opposition to the project of a bio refinery on 8665 Hickory Mill Road. This property is not zoned for such an operation,” said Krista Hughes, a resident who said the applicant misrepresented intent and obtained a building permit before ownership closed. She asked the county to issue a stop‑work order and deny further permits tied to this kind of operation.

Several residents described truck traffic and odour concerns and said the site includes tanker trucks and concrete with drains that suggest liquid handling rather than dry agricultural storage. “The only reason why you have a drain is because he's gonna drain something. What's he gonna drain? Now where's that gonna go? We're right over top of the Paleo River,” one speaker said.

Environmental and public health concerns were raised. Maria Payan, who has reviewed permitting documents, said past similar projects required far more feedstock than nearby poultry houses could provide and warned of emissions such as PM2.5 and other combustion byproducts. Neighbors also said day care centers are located within a half‑mile of the site.

Planning and zoning staff responded at the meeting that the state initially handled some permitting steps and that the county later issued a letter denying the use; staff named Tracy Green Taylor (director of planning and zoning) as the county contact for more details. Council members said the appropriate forum for appeals and technical permit challenges is the planning commission or the zoning board and noted the planning staff will post required notifications.

Planning staff confirmed an appeal application deadline was pending and told commenters that the appeal hearing was scheduled for March 27. Council members urged residents to make use of the planning commission and Board of Zoning Appeals processes and to stay engaged with county staff.

Ending: Neighbors said they will attend the March 27 appeal hearing and continue to press state and county agencies for additional review; council members and staff said they would ensure the planning commission follows the required notification and hearing procedures.