By Ally Lanasa, Staff Writer

(Dec. 3, 2020) The Town of Berlin’s worries about the possible development of the former Bay Club property on its outskirts were put to rest on Nov. 18, when the Maryland Board of Public Works approved its purchase by the Department of Natural Resources. The DNR also received permission to buy a neighboring farm, which, in conjunction with the Bay Club, will become public property.

ALLY LANASA/BAYSIDE GAZETTE
The Maryland Board of Public Works approved the Department of Natural Resources’ purchase of the former Bay Club property on the outskirts of Berlin and a neighboring farm to become public property.

“That has passed the Board of Public Works unanimously so we can look forward to that property adding to the greenbelt that’s in our comprehensive plan and some of the passive use recreational activities that’ll be just right outside the boundaries of the Town of Berlin,” Mayor Zackery Tyndall said at the mayor and council meeting last Monday. “That’s good news for everybody.”

According to the land use description given to the council, “the property contains a mix of forests and fields that will be managed by the Maryland Forest Service as an addition to the Chesapeake Forest Lands for public hunting and trail-based activities such as walking and wildlife observation.”

Equestrian trails are a possibility on the property as well.

The DNR plans to plant trees on and around the course, while preserving  “ a large tract of land in an area of Worcester County that is experiencing rapid growth.”

The price listed for the 437-acre golf course is $3.15 million and the price of the adjacent 236-acre farm is $1.08 million.

Officials were recommending that the board approve the Department of Natural Resources’ proposal to accept assignment from Lower Shore Land Trust of its right to purchase two adjacent parcels totaling 673 acres.

Tyndall, on behalf of the Town Council, town attorney and town administrator, sent a letter of support to the Maryland Board of Public Works about the land acquisition by the DNR on Nov. 13. In the letter, Tyndall addressed concerns about the influx of traffic on town streets with the previous proposals for housing developments and campgrounds on the Bay Club property.

Tyndall added that the town was relieved to hear about the DNR’s proposal.

“The conservation efforts of the DNR will help the Town of Berlin work toward establishing a greenbelt around our Town, a vital component of our comprehensive plan,” he wrote.