(2/22) Possible approval by the Emmitsburg commissioners for the conceptual plan for the North Seton Avenue Green Street project was postponed twice in February due to the snowstorm-related cancellation of two town meetings.

It had been the intent of Town Planner Zach Gulden to present the conceptual plan for the commissioners’ approval, which has now been moved to the board’s March 1 meeting.

The commissioners previously approved a $19,825 contract with Fox & Associates, of Frederick, to develop a Green Street Concept Plan to enhance North Seton Ave. with trees and plants, create safer road conditions, and help relieve flooding at the Northgate subdivision.

Gulden stated that the creation of the conceptual plan was a first step towards developing "green infrastructure enhancements" planned to take place along North Seton Ave., from North Ave. to Provincial Parkway (approximately 1,600 linear feet).

Being more than just a beautification project, the estimated $290,800 project will also help the municipality meet its requirements under the state MS4 program, which requires communities to reduce stormwater-runoff. "We can use this project as future MS4 credits for our federally and state-mandated stormwater management permit," Gulden had previously stated.

According to a Power Point presentation which Gulden prepared for the commissioners (now slated for March 1), the overall project is organized by goals to be achieved.

The first goal addresses the incorporation of green stormwater infrastructure, which encompasses reducing impervious surfaces with plantings or replacement with non-impervious surfaces, extending stormwater curbing and creating "bump-outs" to slow the flow of stormwater runoff, and installing stormwater-fed planters to capture and use some of the runoff.

New waterlines will also be installed, the cost of which is not included in the $290,800 price-tag for the "green street" project. The anticipated cost of the waterlines has not yet been assessed.

The second goal will address implementing street-design elements which includes utilizing the full street right-of-way for improvements. These improvements will focus on improving traffic-calming concepts, pedestrian and bicyclist safety, sidewalks, streetlamps, and vehicle access.

The third goal proposes vegetation, including utilization of only native plants. "The proposed street and stormwater plant palette includes plant species that will thrive within the street and stormwater context," the report states.

The proposed work will also address Flat Run by implementing measures to aid in filtering pollutants, improve water-quality, stabilize embankments, and add plantings to help slow the water flow.

Gulden told the News-Journal, "I believe I can easily obtain grant funding to complete the project, as this is a high-priority project."