(11/12) A presentation regarding a potential business and housing development was given to the Town Council at its October meeting.

A concept plan was presented by Fox and Associates on behalf of resident Steve Trout regarding possible development of Trout’s 15. 5-acre property located at the south end of Main Street and Route 194.

The property is in the mixed-use zone and the development proposes 58 three-story townhouses be placed on 5.5 acres, 2.5 acres for commercial use, with the remaining approximately 2.5 acres donated to the Woodsboro cemetery. The area also has a large expanse of wetland and small streams, which would be preserved, Ceci said.

The goal of this initial presentation was to discover the council’s feelings towards the planned community. If the project is approved, and all permits issued, building could start within two or three years, Ceci said.

While Woodsboro currently has more than enough sewer capacity for the proposed development, the developer may have to provide the town an additional water source, town officials said.

Burgess Barnes said he was intrigued by the proposal. Stating he had looked at similar townhomes built by the developer in Middletown, and was impressed. Barnes also liked the idea of retail space and hinted that some of the space could be used for an urgent care facility. "This would be a great asset to the town," he said. "But it was way to early in the process to form any opinion, one way or another. "

Commissioner Jesse Case expressed some trepidation about the development. "When I was elected to the Town Council I promised to do my best to keep the town as small as possible. At first glance, this doesn’t fit into that vision."

"Homes in the development", Case said, will be packed tight. People will be living right on top of each other, not like in the rest of Woodsboro. I never really like driving by developments and seeing tons of crowded homes. Add into the mix the number of cars this will put on our roads and you have a situation that has both pros and cons." Like Barnes, Case said he would wait until more information is presented before making up his mind.

The council acknowledged the Trout property is some of the only available area within the town limits and that it will eventually be developed.

Several residents spoke in favor of the development noting it would open the door to refurbishing the downtown area, bringing in revenue and students to the school.

The potential development next goes to the Planning and Zoning Commission for review and more information is expected at a later date.