Court upholds barring of store
Wal-Mart loses bid for 2nd supercenter in Hagerstown 

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By Lorraine Mirabella
Sun Staff
Originally published July 26, 2001

A Washington County Circuit Court judge upheld yesterday a decision that stops retail giant Wal-Mart Stores Inc. from opening a controversial second supercenter in Hagerstown. 

Judge W. Kennedy Boone affirmed the Hagerstown Planning Commission's decision in December rejecting a site plan for a supercenter - a combination discount store and supermarket - of more than 200,000 square feet on 31 acres on Edgewood Drive near U.S. 40 in eastern Hagerstown. 

In an oral opinion, Boone agreed with the planning commission's contention that a supercenter on property adjacent to historic Funkstown would generate traffic that would overwhelm local two-lane roads and would exceed the commercial zoning of the site. 

Wyatt Development of Aiken, S.C., which was developing the site for the Wal-Mart store, has 30 days to appeal to the Maryland Court of Special Appeals. Wyatt officials could not be reached yesterday for comment. 

A Wal-Mart official said he did not know the status of the proposed project. The world's largest retailer, on track to open, expand or relocate nearly 300 Wal-Mart stores and Sam's Clubs this fiscal year, is betting much of its future growth on supercenters up to twice the size of a typical Wal-Mart store. The supercenters are expected to compete heavily with grocery stores. 

Plans for the Hagerstown project sparked a fierce two-year battle by residents of Funkstown, a small town of 1,000 known for antiques shops and 18th-century homes. 

"We did not fight it from an emotional standpoint," said Pam Newhouse, spokeswoman for the Funkstown Citizens Coalition. "We didn't go into this saying 'We hate Wal-Mart and don't want them in our town.' We did research and got facts. 

"We feel vindicated in everything we did." 

Copyright © 2001, The Baltimore Sun

Water, sewer service sought 
By MARGOT MOHSBERG, Kent Island Staff Writer 

A Crownsville developer planning 38 waterfront condominiums on Kent Narrows asked the county commissioners yesterday for additional sewer and water service. 

Narrows Point LLC was one of two developers to go before the Queen Anne's County Board of Commissioners in Centreville yesterday seeking water and sewer service. Grasonville Station LLC wants approval for a small office-retail center in Grasonville. 

Narrows Point would consist of 38 condominiums on 15 acres on Kent Narrows Way North, just east of Mears Point Marina. 

Michael Foster of Stevensville, attorney for the developer, said the homes are expected to sell for $500,000 or more. 

He said the development is not likely to add students to the county school system. 

"We're actually anticipating these (condominiums) will be mostly used on a part-time basis," he said. 

The anticipated water flow to the condos is 9,500 gallons per day, well above the 5,000 gallon-per-day limit set in the Master Water and Sewer Plan. The developer needs the commissioners to amend the plan to grant the additional sewer service. 

The county Department of Public Works recommended approval after the developer agreed to construct a $26,000 vacuum pump to decrease the impact on the nearby sewer collection station. 

Water service to the community would be provided by the Oyster Cove distribution system. 

The commissioners also held a hearing on a proposal to extend just water service to a 14-acre commercial property along Route 50, just east of the Chester River Beach Road overpass. 

Grasonville Station LLC is planning to build a 7-Eleven store and possibly several doctors' offices on the property, which is zoned urban commercial and already has sewer service. The anticipated flow to the property is 3,250 or more gallons per day. 

The Department of Public Works recommended that the commissioners approve the project because it will be at the end of the county's water line. That would create continual flow through the middle of the line, keeping the water fresher for its users. 

"One of the worries we had with extending the line was (whether we would get enough) usage," Chief Sanitary Engineer Alan Quimby said. 

No one at the hearing spoke against the projects. The commissioners will keep the record open for public comment until Monday, and could vote on the projects as early as Tuesday. 

Written testimony on the two projects can be sent to the Queen Anne's County Board of Commissioners at 107 N. Liberty St., Centreville, MD 21617. 
 

Published July 25, 2001, The Capital, Annapolis, Md.
Copyright © 2001 The Capital, Annapolis, Md.