Lakeside developer to trade irrigation meters for building permits; council conditionally adds 96 EDUs

James Cook presented two related proposals for the Lakeside development at the Dec. 3 meeting. First, Lakeside proposed disconnecting two irrigation meters (including installation of town locks) and trading the EDUs associated with those meters for 11 residential EDUs to be used with building permits. The proposal obligates Lakeside to cover any revenue deficit between former irrigation charges and the revenue from the 11 EDUs until new residential connections break even. Commissioner Newnam moved to approve the irrigation meter trade, and Commissioner Michael Sullivan seconded; the council approved the trade unanimously.

Second, Cook updated the council on Well 4R, reporting it is producing better than expected and provides approximately 96 additional equivalent dwelling units (EDUs); GMB’s Katherine McAllister submitted a confirming recommendation letter, according to Cook. The council granted conditional approval to add the 96 EDUs to the town’s available water system capacity; the approval becomes effective upon issuance of a Certificate of Potability for Well 4R and written confirmation from GMB that the well is operational and integrated into the water treatment plant. Cook also said a chemical storage building has an 8–12 week lead time and is expected to be done in January or February, and Rauch requested a letter confirming the building will be complete by March 1.

Cook added that Lakeside has contacted Delmarva Power to begin the process of installing street lights on Lake Tahoe and expects installation by spring 2026 pending Delmarva approval. Commissioner questions about the Lakeside water tower were answered: plans have been submitted to the Maryland Department of the Environment and, once approved, the project will go to bid with an estimated completion 18 months after MDE approval.