Hagerstown's Proposed Annexations
Review and Herald, properties near mall proposed for annexation
A proposed site plan for the former Review and Herald Publishing property at 55 W. Oak Ridge Drive calls for "an automobile inspection, repair and distribution facility" that could accommodate almost 10,000 vehicles.
Nearly 200 acres may be added to Hagerstown's city limits, including the former Review and Herald Publishing building and around 40 acres of properties near Valley Mall.
The Hagerstown Mayor and City Council heard proposals for four annexations Tuesday during the group's first meeting since March 10. The meeting was held virtually to comply with physical gathering restrictions.
Planner Megan Flick presented the Planning Commission's recommendations for the four properties:
• Review and Herald Publishing Association at 55 W. Oak Ridge Dr., 126.09 acres.
• State of Maryland properties at 18300, 18306, 18345 Col. Henry K. Douglas Dr., 31.79 acres.
• Bob’s Discount Furniture, Kohl’s, Christmas Tree Shop and other stores at Crosspoint Shopping Center at 17111, 17145, and 17225-17239 Cole Road, 34.31 acres.
• Courtyard by Marriott, Springhill Suites by Marriott, Valley Mall Family Diner at 17280, 17270, 17276 Valley Mall Road, 4.88 acres.
Flick said all properties will be served by city water and county wastewater, and the city will provide police and fire services.
The Review and Herald property is also currently going through a development review with the county, she said.
A site plan submitted to the county in early March outlines a developer proposing an “automobile inspection, repair and distribution facility” that could store almost 10,000 vehicles and would not be open to customers.
The company planning the project isn't identified in the site plan, but the developer is listed as Wavy RE with a Scottsdale, Ariz., address attached to a Carvana LLC office, according to an online Cortera business directory. Carvana is headquartered in Tempe, Ariz.
The project came before the Historic District Commission in January because the developer wants to tear down a 19th-century brick farmhouse and bank barn to make room for the operation.
The Historic District Commission objected to the demolition, but has no power to stop it. A demolition permit was issued Feb. 12.
Flick said the proposed annexations will be introduced to the council at the April 28 meeting and a public hearing will be scheduled after.
HagerstownMD.org