Sykesville council introduces Norwood Avenue property purchase and related budget amendment, schedules Oct. 14 public hearings

The Sykesville Town Council on Sept. 22 introduced an ordinance to authorize the potential purchase of roughly 4.057 acres northwest of Main Street at Norwood Avenue and a companion budget amendment to reflect the proposed transaction, setting public hearings for Oct. 14.

Staff member Joe told the council the property (identified in the staff packet as Map 200, Parcel 4323) is listed in the town comprehensive plan and a 2019 connectivity study as a strategic site for pedestrian connectivity and potential municipal uses. He said the sales contract includes a 120-day study period for due diligence — including an EPA-targeted brownfield assessment grant to cover Phase I and Phase II environmental studies — and an option for the seller to lease the property back for up to 12 months on a month-to-month basis. "This particular property also represents, a little bit of an opportunity for us to look at different town operations," staff said, noting the site could be a future public works relocation or provide downtown parking or commercial reuse options.

Staff presented a proposed purchase price of $525,000 and said funds would come from the town's unassigned fund balance. The same staff presentation described a budget revision (Ordinance 20 25-06) increasing revenues and expenditures by roughly $549,300 to reflect the purchase and related line-item adjustments, including recognizing about $22,680 in police grant revenue, a $10,000 salary line increase in public safety tied to a retention grant, and equipment and capital outlay adjustments for cameras and license-plate-reader work. Staff said the town has just over $1.6 million in unassigned fund balance and that the purchase amount would be taken from that reserve.

Council members asked questions about environmental review and public process. One councilmember said she was "very interested in what the EPA has to say," citing historical land uses and concerns about contaminants such as PCBs; staff said a meeting with EPA is scheduled and that the targeted brownfield grant should allow at least a Phase I assessment to be completed within the 120-day study period. Councilman Keenan moved to introduce Ordinance 20 25-05 and schedule the hearing for Oct. 14; the motion was seconded by Councilman Jeremiah Scofield and passed unanimously. Councilwoman Giroff moved to introduce the budget amendment (Ordinance 20 25-06) and schedule its public hearing for Oct. 14; the motion was seconded by Councilwoman Ries and also passed unanimously (recorded as 6-0).

Next steps: both ordinances are scheduled for public hearings on Tuesday, Oct. 14, when the council is expected to receive public comment and staff updates from environmental and financial reviews before any final decision. The council did not vote to purchase the property on Sept. 22; it only authorized introduction of the ordinances and scheduling of the hearings.