Commissioners expected to take action Tuesday
From Staff ReportsCumberland Times-News
OAKLAND — The Garrett County commissioners are set to make a decision on Tuesday whether or not to approve Lakeside Creamery owner William Meagher’s request to amend the Deep Creek Watershed Zoning Ordinance for a mini-marina.
Meagher has requested that a new category of use for boat rentals not offering any services associated with a marina be added to the ordinance.
On Oct. 21, the commission met with John Nelson, former director of the county Department of Planning and Land Development, Gorman Getty, county attorney, and Michael Koch, executive director De-partment of Community Planning and Development and weren’t able to reach a consensus.
A public hearing on Meagher’s request was held in September and the public comment period was held open until Oct. 8. During the standing-room-only public hearing, 10 people spoke in opposition of the proposed text amendment to the ordinance.
In July, the Garrett County Planning Commission voted to recommend that the county commissioners endorse Mea-gher’s request.
Phil St. Moritz, owner and president of Bill’s Marine Service LLC, initiated the original legal action to close down Meagher’s 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.
Other agenda items for the meeting include a decision on an amendment to the Garrett County subdivision ordinance, a discussion on the recommended permit fee schedule, a board review of 2014 legislation and update on 2013-2014 winter operations.