Getting water/sewer to a vacant lot - advice dealing with city

[Meghan Custer]

I have an opportunity to purchase a vacant lot (.5 acre) from a family member for well below market value. Catch is - we would be responsible for getting water/sewer to the property - they just don't want to deal with the hassle. The lot is within a few hundred yards of a brand new development going in (with a SFH lot between the development and the lot in question).

The current owners JUST missed their opportunity to be included on the city plans for updating the water/sewer in the area (due to the letter from the city arriving days after the deadline to commit). I contacted the city planner's office and they said the plans have already been filed, so we're out of luck. She didn't give any real guidance on our options other than to see if the land has had a perk test. 

I checked with the lot owner and it has been perk tested twice and failed both tests, so the only option is public utilities.

Does anyone have any advice or experience pushing past this kind of barrier? I feel like even though the plans have been filed, there should be some way to work with the planning office to get utilities to the lot. (application, appeal, permit, easement ???)

Even if it costs 10/20/30K, we would just like to know if any other options exist. I'm willing to put in the work because this is an amazing deal IF I can build on it.

Property is in Frederick County, MD if anyone is local.