Shenandoah Junction Annexation A Step Closer
The Town Council held the first reading March 15 on the annexation of the Rivendell Property on German Street. The proposed annexation will now get a second reading April 10.
“The number of houses allowed by annexation would far exceed the number allowed under Jefferson County rules, said Paul Burke, head of the Jefferson County Planning Commission, the number of homes allowable by the county could be as low as a third of that in Town. Zoning officer John Mathews agrees, saying the developer will “be able to get more density” if annexed by the town.
These comments fly in the face of what has been the rallying cry of annexation proponents: that annexation would give the town greater control over the amount of development on its edges.
According to Michelle Hurney, owner of Rivendell, the question is about what kind of development will take place. “It is imperative that Shepherdstown be able to control what happens to the land on its borders,” she said.
Council member and Town Recorder Jim Ford does not concur with this logic. “We won’t be able to control the development. Shepherdstown’s planning commission stinks. Most people, when they don’t get their way [at the planning commission], go to the board of zoning appeals, and get their application approved anyway.” He added that increased video lottery funds for the town resulting from the increased population won’t kick in until the 2020 census.
Town Council member Frank Solzano would rather see no development, but is leaning toward approval of annexation even though it would allow more houses—he does not trust Jefferson County to upholds its rules. “The urban sprawl of American society is evil. I wish there was a moratorium on all growth in the county,” he said. “I would be willing to oppose this annexation, if I had a strong sense that Jefferson County could do a better job than Shepherdstown.”

Mayor Lance Dom will hold a Town meeting this month to focus solely on annexation issues. “By the end of the Town meeting, I hope everybody will have amore sophisticated and complex understanding of the issues involved.”