Comprehensive Plan Update
Engagement Window 2 Complete
Phase two of the Comprehensive Plan, focused on collecting feedback during the first community engagement initiative, has concluded. Phase three, kicking off this Spring, will cover two more “Community Engagement Windows” as the consultants from Clarion Associates work with the Department of Land Use & Growth Management (LUGM) to develop policies and strategies for the draft plan. The Commissioners were briefed at their meeting on March 25th by LUGM Director Jessica Andritz, who shared a summary of the public input already received.
Multiple in-person and virtual sessions were held over the last few months where those attending participated in activities, providing their thoughts about housing, transportation, land preservation, recreation, infrastructure, and other quality of life related topics. Online activities on the county’s website were available through late March. In total 288 people participated, 139 either in-person or on a virtual session and 149 completing the online activities, Andritz said. She acknowledged the number was low, but cited the time of year and multiple winter weather events as contributing to low attendance. Interviews were conducted with the Commissioners, Planning Commission, Department Directors, MetCom, St. Mary’s County Public Schools, NAS/PAX leadership, and the St. Mary’s County Health Department.
Common themes from public input direct planning elements to consider moving forward. Those items included:
Preserving rural area and protecting vulnerable natural areas
Balanced land use that supports development and protects rural heritage
More options for walking/biking, and public transportation destinations
Improve and address roadway safety and traffic issues
Affordable and attainable housing for those at various life stages
Wider variety of housing options in growth areas
Addressing expansion needs of water/sewer access in certain areas
Results of the community priorities survey are as follows:
Slide from March 25th presentation to Commissioners
Slide from March 25th presentation to Commissioners
Commissioner Ostrow asked for more details about “affordable and attainable housing,” and what that might mean. Andritz said single family homes, “not McMansions,” and other smaller footprint options like condos, were frequently mentioned. Some people choose to rent, so affordable rentals are important as well. There was also discussion over whether mobile homes were an option and, if so, where an appropriate location might be. Ostrow also inquired about mixed-use development, such as retail on the first floor and apartments on the second, but Andritz wasn’t sure if that specific option had been mentioned in public feedback. The full survey results will be available on the county’s website soon.
Turning to development, Commissioner Hewitt wondered how the county’s Comprehensive Plan (CP) interfaces with Leonardtown’s plan. As a municipality, Leonardtown has its own Planning Board and related regulations. Director Andritz said LUGM has a copy of Leonardtown’s CP, which is also undergoing revision, and has provided it to the consulting firm for review. Hewitt said he recently had a meeting with a local developer, at which Andritz was present, during which the developer said “It’s just easier to build in Leonardtown.” Hewitt wants to understand why, saying “the attitude [towards development] is different in Leonardtown.” LUGM will look into it and provide an analysis back to the Commissioners based on Hewitt’s question.
