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Council hears Scott Property annexation introduction; petitioners to formalize for March hearing
Summary
Petitioners and counsel introduced a multi‑parcel annexation for the Scott Property; council and staff discussed zoning (GC, EC, TR), the county express‑approval process, and schedule steps with a consensus to let petitioners finalize paperwork for the March meeting.
Attorney Jason Doubelvis and town staff briefed the Smithsburg Town Council on the Scott Property annexation petition, describing a multi‑parcel request that proposes General Commercial (GC) frontage, an Employment Center (EC) designation for rear areas and a narrow Town Residential (TR) strip to preserve an existing home.
Staff outlined the statutory steps: introduction at a council meeting, four consecutive weeks of advertising (required for sites over 25 acres), a parallel zoning hearing and a public hearing before final action; if passed without referendum the resolution would become effective 45 days later. Petitioners reported they have signatures from the affected property owners and that the petition includes railroad right‑of‑way and about 3.95 acres of road right‑of‑way.
Councilors pressed for clarity on envisioned uses and stressed the importance of the public comment period to preserve the town’s character; petitioners said there is no single final development plan yet but listed potential uses including retail and light industrial. Staff and counsel noted uncertainty about county express approval for zoning inconsistencies and referenced a pending state bill discussed at the meeting that could change the county‑town timing for zoning approvals. The council gave direction for the petitioners to finalize the petition for the March meeting.
