Rising Sun approves annexation of Southern States property at 881 Wilson Road to extend public water
October 18, 2022 | Rising Sun, Cecil County, Maryland
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The Town Council of Rising Sun voted to adopt Resolution 2022-18A on Oct. 18 to annex 881 Wilson Road, the main Southern States property, into the town so it can provide public water to properties identified in a Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) consent order.
Town Administrator said the annexation is intended to enable a public-utility extension that will deliver potable water to properties that MDE identified as affected by a historic spill. "Everybody deserves to have access to clean drinking water," the administrator said during the presentation and described an MDE administrative consent order (dated 10/13/2009) that obligates Southern States to deliver clean water to affected locations.
The staff report summarized the legal and planning background: the town submitted an annexation agreement (Exhibit A) and an annexation resolution (Exhibit B) for a parcel recorded in Cecil County deed book 00222, page 00216. The town confirmed it met public-notice requirements, citing publications on Sept. 23 and Sept. 30, more than 15 days before the hearing.
Cecil County officials had sent a review letter asserting the proposed town zoning would be "substantially different" from county zoning. Staff read the Maryland Department of Planning's (MDP) clearinghouse response and cited Local Government Article language, noting MDP's view that the town's proposed rural-business (RB) zoning and the county's business-general (BG) zoning allow similar low-intensity commercial uses. The town administrator said the county's characterization of the annexation as a change to "rural character" is inconsistent with what county zoning already permits.
Staff also presented a recent MDE letter clarifying that Southern States' obligations include 881 Wilson Road and lists other properties that should be supplied potable water under the consent order. "The consent order establishes SSC, Southern States, obligations for 881 Wilson Road," the administrator said when reading the MDE clarification.
During deliberations, Commissioner Pearson asked that Commissioner Warnec be recused from discussion and voting on the measure because of a potential conflict tied to his county role; Warnec said he concurred and recused himself. Commissioner Pearson and others cited local examples of county-approved commercial development (including a Dollar General and a warehouse on Blue Ball Road) and emphasized health and safety reasons for extending municipal water and adding hydrants.
Pearson described technical design choices for the extension, saying the town plans to run an 8-inch water main to avoid excessive friction loss over the roughly two-mile run and to enable fire hydrants for local volunteer fire protection. "We plan on running an 8 inch line for 2 purposes," Pearson said, adding that an 8-inch main would support fire hydrants and potential homeowner insurance benefits tied to municipal water service.
After discussion, a motion to adopt Resolution 2022-18A was made and seconded. The presiding official called the vote; council members voted in favor and the motion carried. The council then adjourned.
What happens next: By approving Resolution 2022-18A, the town authorized annexation of the 5.5-acre parcel at 881 Wilson Road and cleared the way to move forward with the public-utility extension described in the staff materials. The approved resolution and the accompanying exhibits will be part of the record for any follow-up permitting and implementation; the town indicated coordination with MDE and referenced the Department of Planning and county review letters during the meeting.
Town Administrator said the annexation is intended to enable a public-utility extension that will deliver potable water to properties that MDE identified as affected by a historic spill. "Everybody deserves to have access to clean drinking water," the administrator said during the presentation and described an MDE administrative consent order (dated 10/13/2009) that obligates Southern States to deliver clean water to affected locations.
The staff report summarized the legal and planning background: the town submitted an annexation agreement (Exhibit A) and an annexation resolution (Exhibit B) for a parcel recorded in Cecil County deed book 00222, page 00216. The town confirmed it met public-notice requirements, citing publications on Sept. 23 and Sept. 30, more than 15 days before the hearing.
Cecil County officials had sent a review letter asserting the proposed town zoning would be "substantially different" from county zoning. Staff read the Maryland Department of Planning's (MDP) clearinghouse response and cited Local Government Article language, noting MDP's view that the town's proposed rural-business (RB) zoning and the county's business-general (BG) zoning allow similar low-intensity commercial uses. The town administrator said the county's characterization of the annexation as a change to "rural character" is inconsistent with what county zoning already permits.
Staff also presented a recent MDE letter clarifying that Southern States' obligations include 881 Wilson Road and lists other properties that should be supplied potable water under the consent order. "The consent order establishes SSC, Southern States, obligations for 881 Wilson Road," the administrator said when reading the MDE clarification.
During deliberations, Commissioner Pearson asked that Commissioner Warnec be recused from discussion and voting on the measure because of a potential conflict tied to his county role; Warnec said he concurred and recused himself. Commissioner Pearson and others cited local examples of county-approved commercial development (including a Dollar General and a warehouse on Blue Ball Road) and emphasized health and safety reasons for extending municipal water and adding hydrants.
Pearson described technical design choices for the extension, saying the town plans to run an 8-inch water main to avoid excessive friction loss over the roughly two-mile run and to enable fire hydrants for local volunteer fire protection. "We plan on running an 8 inch line for 2 purposes," Pearson said, adding that an 8-inch main would support fire hydrants and potential homeowner insurance benefits tied to municipal water service.
After discussion, a motion to adopt Resolution 2022-18A was made and seconded. The presiding official called the vote; council members voted in favor and the motion carried. The council then adjourned.
What happens next: By approving Resolution 2022-18A, the town authorized annexation of the 5.5-acre parcel at 881 Wilson Road and cleared the way to move forward with the public-utility extension described in the staff materials. The approved resolution and the accompanying exhibits will be part of the record for any follow-up permitting and implementation; the town indicated coordination with MDE and referenced the Department of Planning and county review letters during the meeting.
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