ARE EVENTS AT COUNTY OWNED PROPERTIES IN DANGER OF BEING STOPPED DUE TO ZONING IN THE CITY OF SALISBURY?

Wicomico County, MD - Following the Salisbury City Council meeting held on April 15, 2024, it became abundantly clear to anyone watching that the council was unprepared and riddled with confusion about the issues at hand discussed in reference to the Safari at the Quarry. (All videos from the meeting can be found on our videos page)

It seemed to audiences watching that the council, including the Mayor's office, operated based on opinions rather than factual information. From my standpoint, it appears that they never spoke with county leaders and based all of their views on what they've been told by a group of individuals who disagree with the event. 

The same group of individuals, who seem to march into the Wicomico County Council meetings, have now taken their complaints to another level, a different government agency, in what equates to shopping for an opinion, hoping to convince someone to take their side.

The controversial plot of land in focus is the Connelly Mill Road property, which is currently slated to host, one single event, the Safari at the Quarry Jeep event next weekend, May 4-5, 2024. While owned by Wicomico County, it falls under Salisbury City's jurisdiction, which a group of homeowners in the area is attempting to use as a crutch to stop this event. 

Over 225 acres, the property is primarily used as a borrow pit by Wicomico County, requiring the daily operation of industrial machinery and dump trucks. These dump trucks and industrial machinery are naturally loud and give off many exhaust fumes throughout the day. However, the folks from Shadow Hills, the group contesting this event, don't have a problem with that, only with the Jeeps using the property for what they feel should be a public park.

It raises questions about permissions, regulations, and jurisdiction. Historically, Salisbury City has never interfered with Wicomico County's use of County-owned property within City limits. The Henry S. Parker Athletic Complex on Naylor Mill Road is a prime example of this. 

Despite being in the City's conservation zone, which prohibits parks and playgrounds, the property functions as the area's leading outdoor sports facility, hosting numerous sports events and recreational activities.

The City's code exempts the use of land, buildings, or structures owned by the federal government, the State of Maryland, Wicomico County, or the City of Salisbury if used for public purposes. 

When you compare the two properties, you find that Wicomico County owns both, and both are within the city limits. One of the properties, Henry S. Parker Athletic Complex, rents to various sporting events, such as the World Series of Softball, various USSSA Softball Tournaments, and many other similar events. 

The other property, the quarry, is attempting to do the same thing, but instead of renting to a bunch of baseball and softball teams and organizations, they are renting to a bunch of Jeep enthusiasts who want to drive their $50,000 vehicles at low speeds over a course predefined and monitored. 

Here is where my concern comes into play.  If the City of Salisbury will now try to stop this Jeep event from happening, who's to say they won't continue and try to do the same at the Henry Parker Athletic Complex? Field 7 ½ is an adaptive baseball field, which contains playground equipment and a sensory trail with multiple sensory pods at the location. 

This playground equipment is designed to address the needs of children with special needs. This playground equipment is specifically noted in the code, and technically against the City of Salisbury's conservation zone.  The Parker Athletic Complex operates without City regulation or oversight, and has since the site was developed.  

So what is next, and where does it stop? Will the City of Salisbury tell children with special needs that they are no longer allowed to play with playground equipment because it is also not allowed according to the City's conservation zone?