Walkers Overlook Re-Submits Plans in Walkersville To Keep Operating
The Walkersville Planning and Zoning Commission met for its monthly hearing Tuesday night, March 28, 2017. After re-electing officers to their respective positions, two issues dominated the hearing that lasted an unusual two and a half hours. The first was Walkers Overlook.
Walkers Overlook came before the Planning Commission to address its failures to meet several requirements of its conditional approval six years ago. Mark Lynch purchased the property from the Town of Walkersville and opened a reception facility on the agricultural property. Last year, Frederick County received a complaint, and found that the approved plans had not been followed. A temporary permit was issued to get Walkers Overlook through their booked season after they met some requirements. Before Frederick County will grant a permit, Mr. Lynch’s company must obtain a new site approval from Walkersville’s Planning Commission.
Mr. Lynch presented a two-phase plan. The first phase keeps everything as it is currently with the plans to begin hosting events in April, as they are already booked. The second phase consists of replacing the barn that was damaged by wind with a new barn for receptions. After the new barn is built, the temporary tent will be removed from the grounds. Mr. Lynch is also seeking permission to connect to Walkersville’s water and Frederick County’s sewer.
Members of the Planning Commission were not pleased with a few on-going issues. Commissioner Tim Pollack pointedly asked why the commission should approve any plans after years of failing to meet the requirements of the previous approval.
Planning Administrator Susan Hauver repeatedly requested traffic study details required by the Maryland State Highway Administration. Her requests were ignored. In some responses from Mr. Lynch’s representatives over the past few months, they argued over the need to provide details. As the meeting began, however, a traffic study was presented to the Planning Commission, but had not been sent to the State Highway Administration for review.
There was some confusion about what Frederick County has permitted for the use of a reception facility. Mrs. Hauver stated that Frederick County did not permit the house to be used. Mr. Lynch’s documentation stated that the permit was on hold, but that the county was permitting the use after putting in fire extinguishers and exit signs. The house is used by wedding parties as a “dressing room” according to Mr. Lynch. Photographs on the venue’s web site show more than a dressing room use.
The original site plan and Town Code require all parking lots to be paved. The majority of parking at Walkers Overlook is on grass or gravel. Commissioner David Ennis pointed out that these lots sit within the Town of Walkersville’s Wellhead Protection Area. “If there is a catastrophic failure, our water supply is at risk,” Mr. Ennis stated. He reminded the applicant that the Town’s water source has been compromised twice in so many decades. Commissioners discussed the pros and cons of grass, gravel, and pavement. They agreed that grass may be acceptable, but the Town’s Code does not permit anything except pavement.
All members of the Planning Commission seemed supportive of a connection to the Town’s water and County’s sewer.
In the end, the Planning Commission voted to conditionally approved the site plan provided Mr. Lynch returns by its May Public Hearing with plans to pave or move the parking lots outside of the Wellhead Protection Area, SHA approves the traffic study, and Frederick County provides clarification on permitted use of the house.
