By: Mike Kennedy mkennedy@railey.com 301-616-6106 August 28th, 2009 Category: News

Recently, DNR’s Deep Creek Lake Manager, Carolyn Matthews, released proposed changes to the current lake regulations that deal with the docking and mooring of personal watercrafts (PWCs) at permitted Type A boat docks and common docks.

It is proposed that lakefront property owners with private Type A dock permits (also known as Buffer Strip Use Permits) may keep up to 4 boats (current regulations only allow for 3 boats) on the lake - 3 of which may be a combination of power boats and personal watercraft provided the permit holder pays an additional $100 permit fee. These property owners may also keep beached boats on the shoreline provided they weigh less than 500 lbs.  The current regulations only allow for 2 power boats and 1 non power boat (a sailboat for example) - but many lakefront property owners also keep either one or two PWCs at their docks in addition to the 2 power and 1 non power boats.  When PWCs were smaller and could be beached on the shoreline this wasn’t such a big deal - but now that most PWCs weigh more than 500 lbs and need to be moored at a dock this has become a much bigger issue for DNR.

It is also proposed that the Lake Manager will be given authority to monitor and approve the number of PWCs that can be moored at a common dock for the various lake access communities around Deep Creek Lake. The proposal states that the amount of PWCs moored at these types of docks will not exceed 1/3rd of the allocated number of slips already approved. This proposal does not say whether the PWC must be moored to the dock in the water or if it can be moored on an individual PWC stand on the shoreline. Most lake access property owners are allocated one (1)  boat slip in a community or neighborhood association’s common dock. However, some owners in these communities also own PWCs in addition to a boat and have kept the PWC on a shoreline stand near the common dock. This proposal may very well eliminate the PWCs stands you see near these common docks.

Public comment on this issue will probably run from October 9th, 2009 thru November 9th, 2009. You can make Public Comment on DNR’s website about the proposed PWC docking changes by clicking here.

These proposals will affect many property and real estate owners around Deep Creek Lake so stay tuned for further updates. When we get additional details we’ll post the information on this blog. To stay updated please sign up for updates via e-mail or RSS a little ways down the right hand side of our main blog page.

By: Mike Kennedy mkennedy@railey.com 301-616-6106 August 24th, 2009 Category: Garrett County News, News

The final push is underway for the proposed Community Athletic & Recreation Center (CARC) in Garrett County and the Deep Creek Lake area. If you would like to see this type of facility in Garrett County there is an online petition you can sign. The deadline to sign this petition is Tuesday, August 25th.

Click here to sign the online petition for the Community Athletic & Recreation Center.

For over 20 years, several county leaders have dedicated much time and energy to establish this type of facility in Garrett County.  Garrett County is the only county in the state of Maryland that does not have a public pool!! The state has pledged $15.5 million for the construction of this facility - which will offer such amenities as an competition swimming pool, leisure swimming pool, state of the art fitness center, gymnasium areas, a walking/jogging track, additional instructional area for Garrett College and Garrett County Memorial Hospital. The facility will be located on the campus of Garrett Community College in McHenry. Users will be charged an admission fee.

The state will take away this money if the Garrett County Commissioners do not act soon.  The current set of Commissioners are concerned the facility will not be able to support itself and be a strain on the county budget.  Due to the fact that Garrett County does not currently operate a Parks & Recreation Dept, the Garrett College Board of Trustees will be charged with the operation and maintenance of the facility.

By: Mike Kennedy mkennedy@railey.com 301-616-6106 August 21st, 2009 Category: Deep Creek Lake Real Estate, Garrett County News, Garrett County Real Estate, News, Wisp Real Estate

The recent update to the Garrett County Comprehensive Plan calls for proposed changes and revisions to various land use, zoning, and the Deep Creek Watershed Zoning Ordinances. The biggest changes that could affect real estate, property owners, and ultimately property values in the Deep Creek Lake and Wisp Ski Resort areas are as follows:

Scenic Vistas - the proposals include establishing several scenic protection areas around Deep Creek Lake. This may include future setback requirements that would push construction of new houses farther back from the edge of the slope atop certain mountains surrounding the lake that would essentially decrease views of the lake from that new house.

Architectural Standards - will try to establish building design standards for commercial developers in the lake area to ensure character compatibility for new commercial buildings.

New Land Classification Map - it includes the new Lake Residential 1 (LR1) and Lake Residential 2 (LR2) categories and also the new Agricultural Resource (AR) and Rural Resource (RR) zones. The preliminary draft of the new Deep Creek Lake Watershed Zoning Map can be found here.

Amendments the Garrett County Subdivision Ordinance that would require clustering in AR and RR zones with a minimum of 1.5 acre lot sizes and open space requirements.

The county will conduct public hearings on these proposed changes in the near future. Many current landowners in Garrett County and Deep Creek Lake watershed will be affected by these changes!! - please give us a call or shoot us an e-mail if you would like more information about how your property may be affected by these changes.

By: Mike Kennedy mkennedy@railey.com 301-616-6106 August 19th, 2009 Category: Garrett County Real Estate, News

Here is the latest update on the new golf course from Bill Franklin, owner and developer of Thousand Acres at Deep Creek Lake.

Play has started on the front nine!

We are allowing limited play on the completed front nine of the Thousand Acres golf course for friends of the project, members of the club, and for marketing purposes. We have had a staggering amount of grass growth this spring and summer.  The tees and greens are in very good condition while the fairways are in good condition…some areas still need growth and fill in.  The course is very playable and we have been getting some very good feedback.

Flags and greens cups are in as are yardage markers.  Our superintendent, Bob Raley, is very pleased with the greens conditions and anticipates lowering the height of cut from .125” to .100” by the end of the season.  The current stimp rating is in the 7 to 8 range.  Bob is targeting a stimp rating of 10 for the course.  We have all the equipment on site for golf course maintenance and there is a regular mowing schedule in place…the greens show excellent striping. We have been paying particular attention to the course tie in along Poland Run on the lower side and the upper woods line on the upper side.  Bob will use different heights of cut in those tie in areas in order to blend in the transition of the course to the surrounding woods. Some of the attached pics show the tie ins.

Four EZGO gas carts are on site at the sales office which is where play begins. Taylor Made has provided us several sets of demo clubs, R9 series…..men’s right and left, women’s, and the flex and regular shaft clubs.

A very popular biannual magazine, Mountain Discoveries, has run a feature story on the Thousand Acres Golf Course.  I have advertised the Thousand Acres lakefront development in Mountain Discoveries since its inception many, many years ago.

Mountain Discoveries has also created a panoramic movie of golf hole #3.  Other golf holes should be posted soon.

The Thousand Acres at Deep Creek Golf website has been revamped with new pictures posted and you can hear our new ad on WTOP radio.  A new rendering of the project, lakefront area, and HOA grounds is posted showing 18 finishing on the pond closer to Deep Creek Lake.

Most of you know that I live on Thousand Acres, as do my mom and dad.  Our family has a very long history with Thousand Acres, and we are not going anywhere; we are staying right here.  I am working everyday, as are many of our longtime employees, to assure that everything that takes place here is done to make this a successful project.

We have opened some new lots along golf hole 7 (Mountain View) and lakefront lots with one slip (South Shore).

Railey Realty - Deep Creek Lake’s leading real estate brokerage,  is one of the exclusive listing partners in the Thousand Acres development. We do have a select few golf course lots for sale at Thousand Acres. Please contact us if you are interested in these exclusive real estate opportunities located in Thousand Acres at Deep Creek Lake.

By: Mike Kennedy mkennedy@railey.com 301-616-6106 August 13th, 2009 Category: Garrett County News, Heritage, News, Wisp Ski Resort

Earlier this week Garrett County and the Deep Creek Lake area lost a true visionary and community leader. Helmuth ‘Ace’ Heise passed away early Tuesday morning after battling a long illness. Mr. Heise founded and built the Wisp Ski Resort at the base of Marsh Mountain in the 1950s and helped grow it to the world class resort it is today. Mr. Heise also built the Will O’ the Wisp Condominiums and the Four Seasons Restaurant on the shores of Deep Creek Lake along with the Lake Breez Motel. His accomplishments and leadership as a businessman in Garrett County over the years have been one of the main reasons why the Deep Creek Lake area has become so popular as a true four season vacation resort.

The arrangements for Mr. Heise are Thursday (August 13, 2009) 7:00 to 9:00 pm, Friday 2:00 to 4:00 pm and 7:00 to 9:00 pm at the McHenry House (the Wisp Ski Resort). The funeral will be Sunday (August 16) at 2:00 pm at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in downtown Oakland, Maryland.

Helmuth 'Ace' Heise 1927-2009

By: Mike Kennedy mkennedy@railey.com 301-616-6106 August 12th, 2009 Category: Deep Creek Lake Activities, Deep Creek Lake Area Things To Do, Deep Creek Lake Events, Garrett County News, News

Now that the 53rd annual Garrett County Maryland Fair is well underway - here is a list of the top 5 things you must do at this year’s fair located in McHenry on the northern end of Deep Creek Lake.

5. Ride The Casino - tunes are blaring during this rock-n-roll type ride. It’s so popular long lines are common.

Jimmy Railey Enjoying Rotary Fries!

4. Eat a Funnel Cake - just hit the food row to buy one and you’ll soon be understanding why they are so popular.

3. Watch the Livestock Auction - held on Saturday night. Many prize winning cattle and pigs are auctioned off raising money for many local youths and charities.

2. Get some Rotary French Fries - freshly cut french fries prepared on site by the Oakland Rotary Club - best served with ketchup or vinegar.

1. The Demolition Derby - will be held this Saturday evening. Nothing quite like watching a bunch of locals smash up cars until only 1 is left running!

Fair Week is very popular for both locals and vacationers - many second homeowners and families renting a vacation home plan their summer vacation around this week. You can certainly tell that more people are in the Deep Creek Lake area this week than most other times - more cars are on the roads, the lake is a little busier, and the restaurants are more full.

Railey Realty - Deep Creek Lake and Garrett County’s leading real estate brokerage - has a booth at the fair. Stop by and see us whether you are considering buying in western Maryland’s premier four season resort - or if you are thinking about selling. We can handle all your real estate needs!

By: Mike Kennedy mkennedy@railey.com 301-616-6106 August 12th, 2009 Category: Garrett County News, News

Mark your calendars for Saturday, August 22. The Property Owners Association of Deep Creek Lake is having their usual end of summer general membership meeting at 8:30 a.m. at the Garrett 8 Cinemas in Thayerville. The public is invited - you do not need to own property or real estate at Deep Creek Lake to attend!

A very interesting topic will be discussed at this meeting. John Wilson, MD DNR associate director of stewardship, will present the first report of the Deep Creek Lake Water Quality Study. This is a presentation that any stakeholder in the lake will surely want to hear.