Amended trailer ordinance allows trailers in B2 zone

Ordinance 19-01 concerning the allowance of trailers for use as storage sheds within general commercial B2 was approved during the January 7 town meeting. This amended ordinance makes trailers permissible as long as they are not visible from any adjoining residential property or if the property owner provides appropriate landscaping.

In November, the Board of Commissioners approved a text amendment that approved trailers used as storage sheds in the industrial zone. However, the Board was presented with a business that resides outside the industrial zone, within B2, not in compliance with the newly approved ordinance. Quality Tire has been utilizing a trailer to store used tires from their business, which are picked up throughout the year to be recycled. The Board and town staff discussed ways to allow the trailer to remain on the property such as building a carport to house the trailer, constructing a fence, or planting a vegetative buffer.

Town staff came back to the Board in December with options for landscaping to include planting trees to provide a buffer. With this in place, the Board voted to approve the ordinance, allowing trailers in B2. Quality Tire, as discussed, does not "adjoin" any residential properties within this zone, making them in compliance with the new ordinance.

Town approves select timber harvest

The immediate select harvest of stand 5 within Emmitsburg’s forested area is slated to occur this year. Commissioners voted to approve this select timber harvest due to oak decline and insect damage seen most prevalently within this particular area of the forest.

Michael Kay, representative of the Maryland Forest Service, will walk through and mark any viable trees for sale. Only one stand will be harvested this year, but Kay estimates the town may receive upwards of $60,000 from stand 5 alone. Within the next few years, as part of the town’s adopted Forestry Plan, stands 6, 7, 8, 11 and 15 will also be harvested for trees in decline but viable for sale. In total, the town may receive $223,000 worth of funds from future timber harvest.

In order to help ease the concerns of residents and Commissioners, town staff will ensure the contract states that any damage incurred to the trails by the logging company will be taken care of by that company. Commissioners voiced concern over preserving the multi-user trails that run through the selected forest stands when the plan was presented in October. Effort will be made, where possible, to move in between the trails when harvest is occurring.

Revenue incurred from this harvest may be placed towards engineering reports and studies for Rainbow Lake and existing infrastructure projects throughout town.

Town approves MHAA Wayside exhibits

Emmitsburg’s Board of Commissioners voted to approve the design and installation of three Wayside exhibits that will showcase the history of Emmitsburg during the January 7 town meeting. These first three exhibits are slated for placement on the square in front of the PNC Bank, and on the left-hand side of the Emmit House.

The purpose of creating these signs is to provide a basic overview and orientation of Frederick’s founding and development. Designers also wanted to show how Emmitsburg is, was and continues to be a nexus of commercial transportation and historical activity. These three signs will describe the history related to the square, the doughboy statue and the Emmit House.

The total project cost for all three, approximately three-foot signs, is $18,000. With a $9,000 grant from MHAA, the town is responsible for providing the remaining $9,000. $6,850 will be a cash match from the town, and $2,150 will be in-kind/staff time for research and installation. The long-term goal for this project is to create a historic walking tour for visitors and even residents of the town, as town staff hopes to install more signs of this kind in the future.

The signs will be installed this spring and a ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at this time as well.