The August 19, 2024 Saint Mary’s County Planning Commission meeting focused specifically on the approval process for the Bay Ridge Estates townhome project on Bay Ridge Road in Great Mills, Maryland. Below is a summary of the key points and discussions from the meeting.
Bay Ridge Estates townhouse development
The main agenda item was the public hearing on the Bay Ridge Estates development, which will include 60 townhomes. Shawn Ley of the Department of Land Use and Growth Management presented the concept development plan and highlighted the following:
The development site falls within a high density residential area (RH) and is therefore suitable for the intended use.
The site is located in the Lexington Park Development District, a designated growth area in the county’s comprehensive plan.
The project must comply with county regulations, including those regarding landscaping, buffer yards, off-street parking, and resource protection.
Transport and infrastructure concerns
One of the main topics of discussion was the potential impact on traffic on Route 5 and Bay Ridge Road, especially during rush hours. The development is expected to generate 33 trips per hour during evening rush hours, which is below the county’s threshold at which a traffic study is required (50 trips per hour). However, members of the Planning Commission, particularly John Brown, expressed concerns about existing traffic congestion in the area.
William Mahaffey, representing the applicant, explained that while traffic congestion on Route 5 is known, the scale of the development does not require additional traffic studies under current guidelines. He noted that the project includes a three-lane entrance on Bay Ridge Road to mitigate traffic flow issues.
Jim Gotsch of the Department of Public Works and Transportation provided more information, explaining that the State Highway Administration had originally planned improvements to Route 5, but they were delayed due to budget cuts. He mentioned that utility relocation was underway, but the road widening project was postponed indefinitely due to funding issues.
Commission deliberations
The members of the Commission discussed several aspects of the project:
Parking: Concerns were raised about the lack of visitor parking, as the plan only allows for two parking spaces per townhouse. This led to a discussion about the limitations of the current zoning code, which does not require additional visitor parking.
Recreational areas: The Commission stressed the importance of including recreational areas such as playgrounds or benches in the development and proposed making the inclusion of these facilities a condition of the permit.
Decision and conditions of approval
The Commission approved the concept development plan for Bay Ridge Estates subject to the following conditions:
Road Improvements: All road improvements required by the state and county must be completed prior to the issuance of a building permit for the development.
Recreational Areas: At least one of the designated recreational areas within the development must be developed as an “enhanced open recreational space.” This includes the provision of benches and other amenities that encourage outdoor activities.
Diploma
The meeting concluded with the unanimous adoption of the Bay Ridge Estates Concept and Site Plan, ensuring that the project will move forward under the terms established. The meeting adjourned after a brief discussion on next steps and future agenda items.
This detailed overview provides an insight into the Commission’s careful consideration of both the immediate impact of new developments and the long-term needs of the Community, particularly as regards infrastructure and public facilities.
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