(11/20) At its November 22 meeting, the Town Council agreed to move forward with a request by Apples Church to have its property annexed into the town limits.

The church, which owns 4.6 acres, requested the annexation to gain access to town water and sewer services. The Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed the church’s petition and found it consistent with the Town’s Master Plan and voted unanimously to approve it, recommending that the property be zoned ‘institutional.’

In addition to the church’s 4.6 acres, an additional quarter acre adjacent to the church’s property will also be annexed. The quarter acre, which is already town property but not within the town limits, houses one of the town’s water wells and town staff wanted to use the Apples Church annexation to incorporate that land into the town limits.

The Council also agreed to move forward with the annexation request by the Thurmont United Methodist Church for its property of 4.3 acres. The Planning and Zoning Commission also approved the request, agreeing the Church’s plan was consistent with the Town’s Master Plan.

Located at 13880 Long Road, just east of town, the church is looking to expand with the ever-growing needs of the community. Like Apples Church, Thurmont United Methodist Church is seeking annexation to gain access to the town’s water and sewer services.

The church has been working on a new strategic plan for the last several years to grow the church, including increasing the population of the congregation and making the church more relevant to the town by providing a 60 student daycare center and a before and after school care program.

In order to incorporate a daycare center the church facility, built in 1988, needs infrastructure updates, including a sprinkler system. The church currently utilizes a well water supply and a septic system, which raises issues for necessities such as sprinkler systems. If annexed into the town, the church will have access to town water, which will provide both sufficient water pressure and flow necessary for the fire sprinkler system.

In recommending approval for both church’s requests, town staff said that the anticipated water and sewer demand is expected to be low and that the annexation of the properties will not adversely impact schools or any other town services.

A public hearing on both annexations will take place on January 10. Following the public hearing the annexation requests will be voted upon by the Town Council, and if approved, the plans will be submitted to the County and State Planning Offices for their review and approval.