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Commissioners approve water and sewer plan amendment for Mason Dixon Road property amid public questions about capacity and prior MDE order
Summary
The Washington County Board of Commissioners voted to amend the county water and sewer plan to reclassify a Mason Dixon Road property from W5/S5 to W3/S3, enabling service from Antrim Township Municipal Authority. Planning staff said the request meets plan criteria; public commenters asked about a Maryland Department of the Environment order and future uses.
The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved a water and sewer plan amendment for a property at 17939 Mason Dixon Road, moving its service‑priority classification from W5/S5 to W3/S3 to allow connection to the Antrim Township Municipal Authority.
Travis Allen, senior planner in the Department of Planning and Zoning, told the board staff found the application by 2003 Mason Dixon LLC consistent with the comprehensive plan and the county’s water and sewer plan, and that capacity and an agreement with ATMA are in place. “The creation of well and septic systems in this area of the county are inadvisable when possible to avoid,” Allen said, explaining why the W3/S3 classification is appropriate.
The applicant’s attorney, Jason Dyvelbus, said the property is inside the county’s urban growth boundary, is zoned planned industrial and meets the plan’s criteria. “We feel that we meet the criteria and we feel that the location of the property…its proximity to the Pennsylvania state line and the availability from ATMA makes a lot of sense to extend the service to this property,” Dyvelbus said.
During public comment, candidate and resident Dave Williams asked whether the amendment would conflict with a binding order issued by the Maryland Department of the Environment in April that barred the county from expanding sewer service until the county plan was updated and approved by the state. Williams asked specifically for information about planned water and sewer capacity for the Mason Dixon site and whether the classification would allow non‑warehouse uses that require greater allocation.
County counsel and staff said the MDE order referenced by the commenter applied to a separate property and pump station on Right Road in Williamsport and not to the subject Mason Dixon application. County Administrator Michelle Gordon also clarified earlier public confusion about a separate federal property purchase in Williamsport, stating the county “has made no approvals for and has not voted for this federal project” and that county government was not involved in that site selection.
Commissioner Randy Wagner moved approval; the motion carried following a second. The board voted in favor and recorded no opposing votes.
