Lakeside resolutions 347 and 348 approved by council

EASTON — On Tuesday evening, Talbot County councilmembers narrowly voted to approve Lakeside Resolutions 347 and 348 with their respective amendments.

These resolutions amend the Talbot County Comprehensive Water and Sewer Plan and clarify certain parcels incorrectly shown in exhibits A and B to Resolution 281, the original legislation that approved changes to water and sewer service status and a new wastewater treatment plant for the Lakeside housing development.

Both resolutions passed with 3-2 votes. Councilmembers Pete Lesher and Lynn Milke voted against approving the resolutions.

The resolutions, along with another called up for vote Tuesday, attempt to provide clarifications to Resolution 281 that were requested by the Maryland Department of the Environment.

Resolution 347, introduced in September 2023 by councilmembers Keasha Haythe and Dave Stepp, would amend the county’s comprehensive plan to provide the number of equivalent dwelling units for all six phases of Lakeside.

On Tuesday, Lesher introduced to the council Resolution 347 with Amendment 3.

Patrick Thomas, attorney for Talbot County, explained that all Amendment 3 does is delete the references to the water and sewer classifications for Lakeside in the tables shown in the exhibit for 347. It still provides the phases and Equivalent Dwelling Units as requested.

Lesher and Mielke both provided comments supporting amending the resolution. Lesher said it simply removed the water and sewer destination, so it will address requests from MDE.

The council unanimously approved the amendment to the resolution.

But when the council then voted on the newly amended Resolution 347, Lesher and Mielke voted against it despite their vote to approve the amendment.

Two other amended versions of Resolution 347 were also voted on at Tuesday’s meeting.

Thomas said that Amendment 1 would strike portions of two sentences, stating that the phases represent defined land uses, not the timing or sequence of development, thus modifying the meaning of the full sentence.

Before the vote, Councilmember Chuck Callahan asked the clerk who had introduced Amendment 1. Callahan was told that Lesher and Mielke had introduced it. Callahan, Stepp and Haythe voted against it, with Lesher and Mielke supporting it.

Resolution 347 with Amendment 2 was eligible for vote by the council, but Lesher, who had introduced the amendment, withdrew his sponsorship of the amendment so it was no longer eligible for vote. The amendment incorporated the language from Resolution 338 into Resolution 347, which is now redundant since the council adopted Resolution 338 in April.

Resolution 348 addresses incorrect water and sewer classification shown in two exhibits — maps displaying updates to Trappe’s proposed water and sewer service areas — to Resolution 281.

Resolution 348 with Amendment 1 was eligible for a vote Tuesday. Thomas said the council could consider withdrawing sponsorship for this amendment because the Planning Commission did not find it consistent with the comprehensive plan.

“All that amendment did was provide further clarity and context for the W2/S2 parcels,” Thomas said. “It’s not necessary for 348.”

The council then withdrew their sponsorship of the amendment.

The council voted on Resolution 348 as presented, and it was approved with Lesher and Mielke voting against it.

Resolution 353, introduced by Lesher and Meilke, “combines 338, 347 and 348 into a single resolution,” according to Thomas at a Feb. 27 council meeting.

Lesher and Mielke introduced Amendment 1 for Resolution 353. To simplify 353, Lesher said the amendment would delete references to 338 and 347.

The amendment did not pass, with Callahan, Stepp and Haythe voting against it.

Resolution 353, as introduced, was eligible for a vote but did not pass, again with Callahan, Stepp and Haythe voting against.