Planning Commission Approves Parkside Development Plan

The initial site plan for Parkside on Biggs Ford Road was approved by the Walkersville Planning Commission last night. The vote came after the Planning Commission sent the developers to the Burgess and Town Commissioners for approval of certain aspects of their plans and approval to donate part of their land to the town for an addition to Walkersville Community Park.

The preliminary site plan calls for twenty-four homes to be built along two cul-de-sacs off of Biggs Ford Road. The property will include a forested area in the Glade Creek flood plain, and improved storm water management to handle the run-off on the current Graham farm (which will be developed), and neighboring properties across Biggs Ford Road.

As part of their approval, the developers will also widen parts of Biggs Ford Road and build a sidewalk from Kenneth Drive to Glade Creek, assuming the Town of Walkersville can acquire a right of way from two neighboring properties.

During the meeting a dozen residents voiced their concerns about storm water run-off, the lack of communications about the proposed development, and how their use of properties may change with this development. Planning Commission members and the Town’s Zoning Administrator, Susan Huaver, explained how meetings are advertised and that the property had been zoned residential for over forty years. Many residents felt they should have been contacted personally.

In other business, the Planning Commission set some priorities for the coming year and discussed the county’s choice of expanding MD 194 as their top planning priority for state roads. Commissioner Winch explained his wariness of expanding the highway, but other members expressed their cautious support. County Executive Jan Gardner is scheduled to appear at tonight’s Walkersville Town Meeting to discuss this and other items with the Burgess and Town Commissioners.