…In the Mountain Maryland, Gateway to the West Heritage Area, a grant of $12,500 to Garrett County Trails, Inc. will help to build a trailhead at the Garrett County/Deep Creek Lake Visitor Center in McHenry. The trailhead connects to a network of trails in the Deep Creek area and will feature hiking and biking trail maps on large, all-weather panels mounted to the side of the visitor center as well as a gathering area of brick pavers, a bench and a bike rack….
Month: July 2013
Garrett planning panel urges county officials to endorse petition to allow boat rentals
Elaine Blaisdell Cumberland Times-News
OAKLAND — The Garrett County Planning Commission voted Wednesday to recommend that county commissioners endorse a petition by William Meagher, owner of Lakeside Commercial Properties LLC, to amend the Deep Creek Watershed Zoning Ordinance to allow him to offer boat rentals without the services associated with it.
The motion to modify Meagher’s petition specifies that it’s contiguous with only boat rentals in the town center and the use would only be permitted on properties that have a minimum of 200 feet of lake frontage. The motion passed with three in favor, one recusal and one abstention. Bill Weissgerber, an alternate with the planning commission, abstained from voting and voiced concerns about safety.
“I’m not going to vote on it right now because I want to think more on it based on what I heard today,” said Weissgerber.
Weissgerber said he agreed with the opinion of Jonathan “Smiley” Kessler, owner of Smiley’s Sports Bar and Grill at the lake.
“This discussion is asking zoning to do something that it really isn’t equipped to do and that is deal with market economy,” said Kessler. “Market economy will determine how many marinas are needed, how many can be successful.”
Three owners of local marinas also voiced concerns about safety.
“We don’t need this kind of operation in Deep Creek Lake. It’s in an unsafe location, it’s too congested there, those watercrafts don’t even have reverse,” said Phil St. Moritz, owner and president of Bill’s Marine Service LLC, who initiated the original legal action to close down Meagher’s mini-marina. “I’m more concerned with the integrity of the lake. No way is it safe. I think under no circumstances should this mini-marina be allowed to open again.”
Gary Pfirrmann, owner of Deep Creek Lake Boat Rentals and Sales, said he almost got hit twice near Lakeside Creamery and Carol Jacobs, president of the Aquatic Center Inc. said one of her employees totaled his car in front of the business.
“I don’t think the planning commission or the county commissioners can base an ordinance on safety. If you want to you can talk to the state fire marshal or the State Highway Administration,” said Tony Doerr, vice chairman, who also noted that he was concerned about safety in the area of Lakeside Creamery.
Pfirrmann noted that all marinas should be on the same level playing field and that the five marinas in the area were required to have the same acreage and parking.
“We had to jump through hoops and for 18 years I jumped through hoops,” said Pfirrmann.
Meagher commented on the safety aspect of the mini-marina.
“We have operated within last year and have had all of our vehicles parked in the lot,” said Meagher. “Part of this zoning text amendment is to allow for parking.”
The owners of the local marinas also asked that the planning commission vote against Meagher’s petition to amend the ordinance.
Bob Nickle, general manager of Bill’s Marine Service, said that by allowing the amendment the planning commission was creating spot zoning.
“The whole idea of a zoning ordinance is it’s there to protect the public and the citizens of Garrett County as a whole,” said Nickle. “If we keep whittling away and making small changes here and small changes there, what merit, what validity does this zoning ordinance hold?”
The commissioners will have a public hearing before they make a final decision on the planning commission’s recommendation, according to Troy Ellington, president of the planning commission.
Meagher complied after he was recently ordered to cease operations of the mini-marina.
During a hearing in June in Garrett County Circuit Court, Judge Jim Sherbin found that a previous zoning amendment that allowed Meagher to run the mini-marina was of no legal effect and ordered that the decision by the county’s Board of Zoning Appeals to issue Meagher a permit be reversed.
Contact Elaine Blaisdell at eblaisdell@times-news.com.
July State of Deep Creek Lake Meeting
The “State of Deep Creek Lake” will be presented on Wednesday, July 24, 2013 at Garrett College Auditorium beginning at 7:00 p.m.
The meeting will be hosted by Secretary Joseph Gill, of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. It will include updates on the current state of the lake and its natural resources, the latest information from the ongoing Deep Creek Lake Sediment Study and a description of the process for preparing a watershed management plan.
For more information, persons may call 301-387-4111.
Getting a New Face
Jul. 4, 2013
Thanks to the Eagle Scout project of local Boy Scout Troop 22 member A.J. Savopoulos, the 1950s B&O caboose at the Oakland B&O Railroad Station/Museum, the color of the car has been restored to its original red. His project will be completed in time for the grand opening of the Oakland B&O Railroad Museum, scheduled for Saturday, July 20, beginning at 1 p.m. Individuals, government agencies, and organizations that have been instrumental in this long-awaited opening will be represented at the ceremony, with Oakland Mayor Peggy Jamison serving as mistress of ceremonies. Appointed by the Oakland mayor and town council four years ago, an ad hoc committee partnered with the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum in Baltimore to transform Oakland’s 1884 station into a railroad museum. Chaired by former mayor Asa McCain, the committee consisted of 25 members, and there are 20 volunteers who help operate the museum on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday each week. The ribbon-cutting will take place at the front door of the museum immediately following speaker presentations. Tom Biery, president of the Western Maryland Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, will present a 30-minute digital slide program at 3 p.m. highlighting the B&O Railroad freight and passenger operation history in the Oakland area. His presentation will take place in the baggage room, which is now a learning center and theater. The learning center has state-of-the-art equipment recommended by Crellin Elementary School principal Dana McCauley and Craig Trautwein, also with the board of education. The Baltimore & Ohio Museum in Baltimore has exhibits in the Oakland B&O Museum, and the committee has added additional B&O exhibits and artifacts on loan and gifted by local residents. The B&O Museum will complement the Garrett County Historical Museum and Transportation Museum of Garrett County/Deep Creek Lake Gallery. Oakland’s station, which is on the National Registry of Historical Places, has received a $400,000 upgrade and restoration last year. The public is invited to attend the grand opening event.
Garrett County planners to discuss mini-marina issue
Elaine Blaisdell Cumberland Times-News
OAKLAND — The Garrett County Planning Commission will meet Wednesday to discuss a petition by William Meagher, owner of Lakeside Commercial Properties LLC, to amend the Deep Creek Watershed zoning ordinance.
During a hearing in June in Garrett County Circuit Court, Judge Jim Sherbin found that a zoning amendment that allowed Meagher to run a mini-marina was of no legal effect and ordered that the decision by the county’s Board of Zoning Appeals to issue Meagher a permit be reversed.
The court issued Meagher a cease and desist order June 26 and he had until July 3 to respond.
On June 5, 2012, the county commissioners voted to make amendments to the Deep Creek Watershed zoning ordinance to allow Meagher to have a marina that doesn’t offer the services associated with it.
A boat rental permit was issued by the Board of Zoning Appeals on June 11, 2012, to Meagher. St. Moritz Properties LLC, Bill’s Marine Service Inc. and Silver Tree Marine LLC appealed the issuance of the permit. The Board of Zoning Appeals denied the appeal and upheld the issuance of the permit.
Meagher rents personal watercrafts and pontoon boats.
The planning commission will meet Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. in the County Commissioners Meeting Room in the courthouse annex.
Retire Here, Not There: Maryland – Oakland top 5 in state
Oakland
Tucked away in the northwestern corner of Maryland, Oakland is a tiny town with outsize opportunities for outdoor activities. Oakland abuts the 3,900-acre Deep Creek Lake, the largest lake in Maryland. The lake is used for recreation year-round, with ice fishing and cross-country skiing in the winter (the average ice thickness is 18 inches); fishing, canoeing and kayaking in the spring, fall and summer; and swimming and tubing (a favorite with the grandkids) in the hotter months.
Oakland is also within minutes of Wisp Resort, which has 132 acres of ski terrain, and five golf courses. It’s home to Adventure Sports Center International, which has a mountaintop white-water rapids course (one of the few in the world) and is the official venue for the 2014 Canoe Slalom World Championships.
All this outdoor recreation comes with a reasonable price tag: The cost of living is roughly average for the country, compared with 20% higher than average statewide, and the median home costs just over $130,000. That said, the town is tiny, with few restaurants or other amenities, and it takes a good 2½ hours to reach the nearest major international airport, in Pittsburgh. More here.
A busy Saturday at Deep Creek Lake
DNR close to living up to trail promise
Michael A. Sawyers Cumberland Times-News
CUMBERLAND — Two years after closing a pair of off-highway vehicle trails on state forests in Western Maryland, the Department of Natural Resources is close to living up to a promise to replace one of them with a loop in eastern Garrett County.
Citing environmental damage caused by improper use, the agency in April 2011 closed an 18-mile trail on the Green Ridge State Forest in Allegany County and another along Poplar Lick on the Savage River State Forest in Garrett County.
“The Green Ridge closure cost business in Allegany County $1.6 million,” said Allegany County Commissioner Bill Valentine.
Valentine spoke at a meeting Monday in the county office complex.
The Maryland OHV Alliance organized the gathering that was attended by the District 1 legislative delegation, county commissioners from Allegany and Washington counties, and DNR staffers, including Secretary Joe Gill.
Paul Peditto, who heads the DNR effort to establish new trails, said a 13-mile trail in the St. John’s Rock area is approaching approval.
That site is just south of the Finzel exit on Interstate 68.
Slightly behind in the process are two trails in Washington County proposed for a wildlife management area and a natural resources management area on Sideling Hill.
“There is a lot of energy around this effort,” Gill said. The secretary urged participants to study successful trail programs from other states.
Peditto anticipates a public comment period about the St. John’s Rock trail by late summer. A 12-month construction period would be required for completion.
Allegany County Commission President Mike McKay asked alliance spokesman Ken Kyler to come to a county work session to explain the search for new trails.
“Be prepared to answer all the tough questions,” McKay said. “There will be property owners up in arms because of anticipated noise levels.”
Although the proposed new trails are on public land, substantial discussion took place Monday about establishing them on private land, as well.
“The first question that has to be dealt with is the liability issue,” said Delegate Kevin Kelly.
Delegate Wendell Beitzel said he is concerned about trail users leaving existing paths and wandering on to adjoining private lands that are not part of the established routes.
Much discussion centered on the possible placement of trails on reclaimed strip mine operations.
Sen. George Edwards said he hopes with the thousands of acres owned by DNR in Allegany and Garrett counties that a couple of trails could be established without using private lands.
Kyler, a Middletown resident, said the Hatfield-McCoy trail in West Virginia generates $20 million annually for businesses there.
Development of trails in Maryland could include links that establish larger systems, he said. He said an economic study of a trail in Minnesota discovered that each user spent an average of $190 per visit at local businesses.
Delegate LeRoy Myers Jr. urged the group to assure that small towns become part of the trail loops so that businesses would prosper.
Peditto said a private campground near the proposed St. John’s Rock trail should benefit economically once that project is done.
The use of OHVs is the fastest-growing form of recreation in the country, according to Steve Carr of the DNR.
Peditto said it is likely that OHV trails on public lands would be closed during peak hunting periods such as the deer firearms season.
Contact Michael A. Sawyers at msawyers@times-news.com.
Price drop! $5k off 1839 Smouse Rd – GA8118781 – $174,900
Renovated split level home in Pleasant Valley! Coveted location in the valley with pastoral views surrounding the property. 1 large, grassy acre of land, offering 2 outbuildings. Upgrades include shiny hardwood floors, ceramic tile, 6 panel doors, rear deck, bathroom addition, fixtures and carpet. Lush landscaping, spacious bedrooms, and 3 heat sources make this home worth a look – great value!
http://deepcreeklake.com/RealEstate/JayFerguson/detail.aspx?id=GA8118781
A Message From Heaven?
The appearance of a rainbow right at the conclusion of the second annual William George Weissgerber Benefit Golf Tournament was but one of many extraordinary events that occurred over the course of the two-day tourney this past weekend, held at both the Lodestone and Oakland club courses. A number of other activities, raffles, and events were held in conjunction with the tournament, with all proceeds benefiting Landon’s Library, the Andrew S. Woods Memorial Scholarship Fund, and Samantha’s Funding for the Arts. The event grossed an incredible $117,000, with an estimated net amount of $90,000 to be divided among the three programs. Pictured above are the parents of the three in whose memories the programs were founded. From left are June and Charlie McCloskey, parents of Samantha Gibson; Debbie and Tom Woods, parents of Andrew; and Crystal and Brian Boal, parents of Landon Boal. See story for details.
