Riverside Townhomes

Originally Published: March 5, 2024

42 Lots Likely Near 235/4 Intersection

A small neighborhood of 42 townhome lots is being planned for 8 acres of land along northbound 235 just after the MD 235/4 intersection. Lahaco Investments LLC, with an address in Prince Frederick, owns five total parcels with two having 235 frontage. The concept site plan shows eight buildings split into townhouses, four buildings of six, and two buildings of five and four, each. Two mini parks, a pump station, and a stormwater management pond are also shown on the plans.

All townhomes have a driveway and garage except for Building 4, in the back of the neighborhood, which has 14 parking spots in front. Adjacent to Building 6 are four additional parking spaces. The plans note 84 spaces, or two per unit, are required but the developer is providing 90 spaces. According to a Land Use & Growth Management (LUGM) Staff Report from January 2024, the applicant needs to provide a parking justification letter. In looking at the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, parking regulations are different for multi-family dwelling units. “Dwelling units” are required to have 2 parking spaces per unit, but “Dwelling unit, multi-family residence” requires two spaces per two bedroom unit plus one guest space for every two units. The plans list the townhomes as “multi-family dwelling units.” Under that regulation, 126 parking spaces are required.

Initial reviews by various agencies have been completed, with many needing document updates or additional information. Metcom will require a water study to show adequate flow for domestic and emergency use as the plan requires more than 25 Equivalent Dwelling Units (EDUs), the measurement by which usage is calculated. Feedback from St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS) stated the neighborhood entrance would be the bus stop. However, “this is not an ideal location for a housing complex with being so close to Route 4 and dealing with merging traffic,” SMCPS wrote.

This development is still going through the process, and has a number of outstanding requirements. One is an Adequate Public Facilities (APF) report, which assesses whether roads, sewerage, water, fire suppression water supply, storm drainage, and school capacity are available to meet the needs of those who would live in the neighborhood. The current APF regulation does not include assessments for police, fire/EMS, or hospital/medical capacity to serve these residents. Arguments could be made to also include libraries, parks & recreation, and other publicly available facilities responsible for serving residents across the county.

Projects nearby include commercial development and car wash on the nearby corner of 4/235, a Honda/Kia Dealership, a car wash at the corner of California Blvd/235, Park Place Apartments behind SAIC, apartments at the corner of FDR/Route 4, hotel, retail, and apartments next to the VFW less than half a mile north, and likely future development at Lexington Exchance with possible retail, gas station, restaurant and more.

When Riverside Townhomes goes before the Planning Commission, I will share that information and any changes made to plans since this post.