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Nov. 18, 2010
Garrett County Department of Planning and Land Development staff members provided an update report on their recent activities and projects for the county commissioners on Tuesday.
Permits and Inspections Division chief Jim Torrington reported that the number of commercial permits issued between Jan. 1 and Oct. 31 of this year increased by nearly 281 percent, compared to the same period last year. This is mainly because of wind turbine construction, he noted.
In 2009, 21 commercial permits for taxable structures were issued during the first 10 months of that year. Eighty were issued for that same period this year.
The builder declared value of this year’s structures is nearly $156 million, or an increase of about 1,971 percent, when compared to last year’s value of $7.5 million.
Director John Nelson noted that Torrington’s office has received preliminary concept plans for four Marcellus shale drilling sites: one along Frazee Ridge Road and three along Old Morgantown Road.
He said the Marcellus Gas Advisory Committee met for the first time on Monday. It was primarily an orientation event in which group members reviewed information and went over what their responsibilities will be.
Nelson also reported that Garrett County Planning Commission members have reviewed and submitted their comments on the Environmental Protection Agency’s Chesapeake Bay Impaired Waters and Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) draft.
