by Jackie Nunnery
HEATHSVILLE—Wearing buttons to show their opposition, Mill Creek residents on Thursday, June 13, came out to again urge supervisors to say “NO” to a conditional use request that would allow the construction of a commercial pier for Jacey Vineyards of Wicomico Church in the predominantly residential area.
Following more contentious public comments, supervisors tabled the decision again, urging parties to reach an agreement on proposed conditions that would work for everyone. The board will consider the application at its July 11 meeting.
Last month, Roger McKinley, an adjacent property owner and speaking on behalf of the vineyard owner Robert Jacey, told supervisors the pier was for the “temporary docking for the convenience of customers and visitors to the restaurant and vineyard.” During that hearing, residents shared concerns about the size and lighting of the pier and indicated the decision would set a precedent leading to the commercialization of the residential community.
During Thursday’s comment, Paul Trible said, “If you look around the room, you would see the citizens are overwhelmingly against the proposition that a commercial pier be built on Mill Creek.” Trible said it was a “variance with the character of the Mill Creek community” and questioned what it meant for the future. He also suggested placing conditions on the project if they were to move forward that would reduce the footprint, would limit use for the restaurant and vineyard, prohibit the transfer of the conditional use, limit the lighting, and have a mechanism of enforcement to ensure conditions are met.
Cathy Meehan questioned how “one property owner, one commercial entity could change the entire atmosphere on our creek….
