Town council met on Tuesday for their monthly meeting to discuss old and new business regarding Shepherdstown.

The meeting was called to order with approval of the minutes from last month’s meeting. A second reading of the storm water ordinance was approved, as was a first reading of the water rate increase and a second reading of an ordinance to allow the sale of alcoholic beverages beginning at 10 a.m. on Sundays.

While the rest of the county has to wait until a referendum on the ballot in November to decide the fate of the “brunch bill”, Shepherdstown included this provision in their municipal home rule application which was approved in April.

Ordinances must have a first and second reading before being adopted as law. As such, Council scheduled a second reading of the Sunday alcohol ordinance next week on Thursday, May 19 at 6:30 p.m. at the behest of Mayor Auxer so that restaurants in town could begin Sunday brunch alcohol sales beginning June 1.

Council heard and approved three event requests.

Friends of the Shepherdstown Library requested closing of the street behind the library to be used for family movies on Aug. 3 and Aug. 10. from 7 to 11 p.m. Requests were also made for the annual duck race to be held in the town run on July 16, and for the Anheuser Busch Clydesdales to make an appearance in town today between 5 and 8 p.m.

The famous horses will be in front of Town Hall on N. King St. at approximately 5 p.m. where spectators can watch the horses be dressed and hooked for a parade down German Street at approximately 6 p.m. The horses will then be returned to Town Hall to be undressed and returned to their trailers for travel.

The Shepherdstown East Development LLC, also known as the Shepherd Village, has received approval from the county planning commission for a preliminary plan outline to proceed with a development plan outline to be approved by council members of Shepherdstown.

Several of the 19 owner/developers of Shepherd Village were present.

Kay Schultz, one of the developers said, “We’re developing this 19 acre site across from the day care center, with 20 homes in two neighborhoods. This is on the far eastern edge of town. In addition, 30 senior units in a horseshoe configuration are planned to be a co-housing concept.”

The housing community is designed for those who have at least one member of the household who is 55 years old or older.

Project ‘pioneer,’ Phil Baker-Shenk gave greater detail about the goals and vision for the Shepherd Village community.

“We wanted to adhere to the look of the town with duplexes and triplexes, while maintaining a large green area of vegetation,” said Baker-Shenk. “The design is very pedestrian focused. There are a number of walking paths that go around the community. Our whole goal here is to be integrated into the town. That’s why we’re doing this.”

Houses in the community will be mainly one level, smaller scale, more manageable homes, and there are plans to have a common building where families can have larger gatherings and social events.

The vision of the developers of Shepherd Village is to be as environmentally friendly as possible with solar panel car chargers, rain barrels and lots of green space. Additionally, homeowners will also have community ownership of garden and bike sheds, a community garden and woodworking and tool shop. Future vision includes a care facility on one acre of the space.

Council approved the preliminary plan outline.

For more information about Shepherdstown Village, visit their website, shepherdvillage.net.