(6/10) The Emmitsburg's Planning Commission met May 28th, 2019 to vote on the conditional approval of the Rutters store's Forest Conservation and Site Plans. M & G Inc. (Rutters' real estate holding company) is the applicant, the land owner is SPT Land LLC. Plan name is Rutters Store No. 84. The plan is for a 8,300 sq/ft Rutters convenience store including 7 gasoline fuel islands, 57 passenger vehicle parking spaces, and 5 diesel fuel bays along with a truck scale and 28 short term tractor-trailer parking spaces.

The store/station will be located in the corner of northbound US-15 and the eastbound lane of MD-140 (Taneytown Pike). The fueling station will provide separate areas for gasoline customers and commercial diesel trucks. Diesel trucks and gasoline vehicles will have their own access lanes off of MD 140, though all vehicles will exit the station by way of the commercial truck lane onto MD 140. The Rutters store would share entrance and exits with a Maryland State Highway Administration's (SHA) proposed Park & Ride facility.

Instead of planting all of the required trees in accordance with the Town's Forest Conservation ordinance, Rutters will be paying a "fee in-lieu of," which is allowed in the town's ordinance. This money must be used for forestation as required by the state's Forest Conservation Act. The "fee in-lieu of," was proposed by town staff and would go into a new Forest Conservation Fund the town has for future projects involving tree planting and stream bank restoration in accord with the town's Forest Resource Ordinance.

The commission conditionally approved the Forest Conservation and Site Plans.

The Traffic Impact Analysis awaits SHA's approval.

Commissioner Blanchard asked if the town staff had heard anything from the residents and farmers along (Harney Road) concerning the proposed Rutters store. Town Planner, Zack Gulden replied, "We have heard nothing" in spite of the plan being advertised via various media avenues.

The project is expected to be completed in 2021.