Workshop To Plan McHenry’s Future Slated
The public is invited to a workshop to plan for the future of McHenry on Friday, May 4, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, May 5, beginning at 9 a.m. in the Garrett College auditorium. The purpose of the workshop is to explore ways that McHenry can be made a better place for residents, businesses, and visitors.
Property owners, residents, businesses, and anyone else who cares about the future of McHenry are encouraged to attend.
The workshop will be led by the Garrett County Department of Planning and Land Development as part of the 2008 update of the Garrett County Comprehensive Plan. The need to plan the future of McHenry was identified in a 2004 planning study. That study noted that McHenry is important as the gateway and major retail center for the Deep Creek Lake area, and also has important public uses such as the fairgrounds, Garrett College, the Visitors Center, and post office. The study added, however, that McHenry does not function well, especially at peak periods. For example:
1. Some left turn traffic movements are problematic.
2. There are few safe places to walk.
3. There is no park or public open space.
4. There is almost no public access to the lakefront (without crossing private property) and no facilities such as parking.
5. Parking overflows at some commercial sites.
A number of new developments are proposed that will have a significant effect on McHenry including the county’s new exhibition center and the Adventure Sports Center, noted Director John Nelson, Planning and Land Development
The workshop will focus on “downtown McHenry,” the area roughly bounded by Sang Run Road to the north, Marsh Hill Road to the west, Timber Ridge Road to the south, and Garrett College to the east. The workshop will also consider the McHenry “influence area,” including Point View and the Wisp Resort.
The workshop will be participatory and hands-on. Detailed maps will be available, and participants will have the opportunity to mark up the maps and identify specific ways in which McHenry can be made a better place regarding land use, traffic and circulation, parking, open space, sidewalks, trails and bicycle routes, signage, and landscaping.
The two-day workshop will begin with a presentation at 7 p.m. on Friday evening. The Saturday session will begin at 9 a.m. in the auditorium and then break into small working groups led by facilitators.
“While we strongly recommend the public attend the Friday evening session, persons can participate on Saturday even if they cannot come on Friday,” Nelson said.
If persons cannot attend the workshop but wish to comment, or if they have questions or need more information, they may contact Nelson at 301-334-1920 or by e-mail at .
