Annexation and Aquacon
May 26 2021 presentation to MDE
November 2, 2020 Public Hearing and Meeting - Following the required public hearing the mayor and town council adopted Ordinance 2020 - 06, Ordinance 2020 - 07, and Resolution 2020 - 02. An audio recording of the public hearing and meeting is by clicking the meeting link.
January 28, 2022 letter to Rauch, Inc informing them they were not selected as the town engineer. Mr. Robert Rauch serves as an engineering consultant to AquaCon, and so was engaged in a conflict of interests in that capacity and as town engineer (a position he held since July 2013). The town wanted to end the professional engineering relationship and avoid any conflicts. In fall 2021 the town solicited proposals from qualified firms to provide professional engineering services. Several firms were interviewed by the mayor and town council on November 30, 2021. Since November 30, 2021 Rauch, Inc has only worked on projects already approved and financed, and not associated with the AquaCon project in any way. Upon completion of the Old Denton Road watermain project, the town will have no professional relationship with that firm.
February 7 2022 Mayor and Town Council Meeting - Request for access through Frank Adams Industrial Way proposed survey plat, full meeting audio, and Mayor Abner's video recap.
Preliminary site plan presented to Planning and Zoning Commission March 1, 2022 - The applicant provided a general project update and walked through each of the preliminary site plan's requirements. Following questions and discussion the Commissioners voted to approve the preliminary site plan. The applicant will be required to submit a full site plan for review and approval before any town permits can be issued.
August 10, 2022 Public Hearing Notice - The Maryland Department of the Environment is holding a public hearing on the water discharge permit application on Wednesday August 10, 2022 in the town hall second floor meeting room, located at 118 N. Main Street (please use the Morris Avenue entrance). Time of the hearing is 5:00 - 8:00 pm. The permit application fact sheet is available here.
August 15, 2022 Mayor and Town Council workshop - Members of the Federalsburg Economic Development Commission participated in the workshop and had an almost hour-long dialogue on the proposed salmon farm facility. To hear that discussion click the "audio" link.
September 7, 2022 Mayor and Town Council Meeting - This is an audio recording of the entire meeting, which is informative on issues of residential trash collection, revised animal ordinance, the water tank light maintenance agreement, and mayor and council action items. At 39:00 minutes a broad discussion about the proposed AquaCon project begins and lasts until the audio ends approximately forty-five minutes later.
Mayor's Minute Recap of the September 7, 2022 Meeting - Mayor Abner's recap of the meeting including the AquaCon discussion.
September 19, 2022 Mayor and Town Council workshop - Agenda cover sheet with zoom link, agenda packet and other documents related to the meeting. Please see the entire meeting video on the town's YouTube channel.
October 3, 2022 Mayor and Town Council Meeting - Mayor and Council discussion and approval of comment to MDE is a scheduled action item. An informational item staff report on industrial development in the town Code of Ordinance is including addressing specifics of the proposed AquaCon project. Mayor Abner's video recap is at this link.
Please click here to read the Mayor and Town Council's letter to MDE regarding the proposed AquaCon project.
October 14, 2022 - AquaCon press release on water discharge permit application withdrawal.
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As you may know, an international development firm is considering siting a twenty-five acre industrial fish hatchery in the area to raise and harvest domestically grown salmon. Several media outlets recently reported the proposed development of a large-scale industrial salmon farming facility in Federalsburg. These reports present the numerous potential impacts of such development on the local environment and economy. The developers requested annexation of several parcels contiguous to the Frank Adams Industrial Park. The parcels total 211.649 acres. The process began in October 2020.
The Town recognizes and welcomes the proposed investment of AquaCon Federalsburg, an international firm committed to siting a facility here to produce high-quality seafood for domestic consumption. Likewise, the Town recognizes the expertise provided by the University of Maryland Baltimore County faculty and researchers. The assembled team proposes to develop a modern, environmentally responsible, sustainable process and operation. The Town appreciates their interest and confidence in Federalsburg as the best location for this important facility.
While the Town of Federalsburg welcomes the opportunity to be the host location and partner in this important endeavor, the Town’s role is limited to land use regulations and providing essential public services. To date the Town has received, held the required public processes, and approved the boundary line adjustment these developers have requested, and the Town made corresponding map and text amendments to the zoning ordinance. The Town will provide document review and approval, issuing required permits, and performing inspection services of approved work during the facility planning and construction phases. The proposed facility may require additional approvals from other jurisdictions or agencies during the design and construction phase and during post-construction operation.
At this time, inquiries and requests for media comments should be addressed to the Federalsburg Town Manager.
Contact:
Lawrence DiRe, Town Manager
townmanager@federalsburg.org
(410) 754-8173
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