Calvert County Planning Commission Regular Meeting – February 27, 2025
Calvert County Planning Commission Regular Meeting – February 27, 2025
The Calvert County Planning Commission held its regular meeting on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. at the Harriet E. Brown Community Center and virtually via Zoom. All seven commissioners were present (Freeland, Gadway, Holler, Kernan, McQueen, Weems). The meeting included long-range planning items, site plan approvals, park master plan updates, and a text amendment to the water and sewer comprehensive plan. Public comment addressed several issues including the town center master plan process and concerns about development in Lusby.
Consent Calendar
- Agenda Amendment: The Commission approved moving the executive session to the end of the meeting. (Unanimous)
- Summary of Actions: The Commission approved the summary of actions from the January 15, 2025 regular meeting. (Unanimous)
Public Comments & Testimony
- David Berry (Breezy Point, speaking for himself): Expressed concern about the timeline for public comment on Chapter 1 of the consolidated Town Centers Master Plan, noting that the public should have an opportunity to review the language before Planning Commission action. Staff clarified that Chapter 1 would be incorporated into the public hearing for the Prince Frederick update and that most content had already been vetted.
- Sean McGuire (Save Lusby Incorporated): Opposed the proposed Lusby Village apartment project, which he described as a 200+ unit development that was approved by the Planning Commission (4-3) despite public opposition. He reported that Save Lusby’s appeal is moving forward after a recent court denial of a dismissal motion. He urged public support to stop what he termed "reckless development."
- Sarah Weems (Lusby resident): Opposed the proposed AutoZone at Lusby Town Center, citing duplication of the existing Advanced Auto Parts across the street. She advocated for other businesses such as a fitness center or gym that are lacking in Lusby.
- Megan Farringer (Lusby resident and Save Lusby member): Also opposed the AutoZone, questioning why unique businesses like a gym, rec center, or library are not being considered instead of another auto parts store, especially in light of other large projects like the apartment complex.
Discussion Items
Long Range Planning: Master Plan of Town Centers
- Presentation: Tay Harris, Long Range Planner, presented a proposal to consolidate all town center master plan updates into a single document titled the Master Plan of Town Centers. The new approach aims to eliminate redundancy, with Chapter 1 covering county-wide visions and background, and subsequent chapters dedicated to individual town centers (starting with Prince Frederick and Dunkirk). Staff recommended endorsing the format and timeline.
- Vote: The Commission unanimously voted to adopt staff’s proposal to update and consolidate the town center master plans into one document and to approve the proposed timeline for updates. (7-0)
Lusby Architectural Review Committee (LARC) Case #2024-02: Lusby AutoZone
- Presentation: Jessica Gaetano, Planner III, presented a site plan for a new AutoZone at Lusby Commons on a pad site near H.G. Truman Road. The proposed building facade length of 100 feet exceeds the 50-foot limit in the Lusby Town Center zoning ordinance, requiring Planning Commission approval. Staff found the proposal consistent with design guidelines except for the length, and recommended approval based on four conditions, including 76% ground-floor activation and pedestrian connections.
- Vote: The Commission unanimously approved the facade length extension and application as recommended by staff. (7-0)
Hallowing Point Park Master Plan Update
- Presentation: Stephanie Sperling, Park Planner, presented an update to the Hallowing Point Park Master Plan, based on a survey with over 2,000 responses. Proposed improvements include synthetic turf fields, paved and natural walking paths, improved baseball fields with dugouts, a new pavilion and tot lot, skate park, and expanded basketball court. A privately leased portion of the park is not included.
- Vote: The Commission unanimously directed staff to send the plan to agencies for review, schedule a public hearing for May 21, 2025, and notify agencies and adjoining jurisdictions at least 60 days in advance. (7-0)
Department of Public Works Text Amendment (TA) Case #25-01
- Presentation: James Ritter, Deputy Director of Enterprise Funds, proposed an amendment to the Water and Sewerage Comprehensive Plan requiring all County-owned facilities within 300 feet of public water and sewer lines to connect to the system. The amendment aims to improve efficiency and sustainability. Currently, no existing facilities are affected, but future projects may be. Commissioners requested that language be added to exempt agricultural irrigation wells from the requirement.
- Vote: The Commission unanimously directed staff to add the exemption language for irrigation wells and then proceed with sending the amendment to agencies for review, scheduling a public hearing for May 21, 2025, and providing 60 days’ notice. (7-0)
Key Outcomes
- Master Plan of Town Centers: Endorsed consolidation into a single document and approved timeline. Staff to present draft Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 (Prince Frederick) at the March 2025 meeting.
- Lusby AutoZone: Approved facade length extension and site plan application.
- Hallowing Point Park: Public hearing scheduled for May 21, 2025; plan to be circulated for agency review.
- Water/Sewer Text Amendment: Public hearing scheduled for May 21, 2025; amendment to be revised with irrigation well exemption and then circulated for agency review.
- Next Meeting: March 19, 2025.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. Welcome to the Calvert County Planning Commission regular meeting agenda a regular meeting of Thursday, February 27th, 2025. I'm going to take attendance to establish the quorum. Commissioner Freeland? Here. Commissioner Gadway. Present. Commissioner Holler. Here. Commissioner Kernan. Here. Commissioner McQueen. Here. And Commissioner Weems. Here. We have everybody attended. So we have a quorum. We are now called to order. If you'd all please stand and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. My pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. One nation under God. We have the agenda in front of us. I, if somebody would be interested to make the motion, I'd be willing to accept to move that executive session down to oh, maybe down around 11 D so that some of these folks could go out. If we put that at the end, I think some people could leave that wouldn't have to stay so long. I'd make that motion to amend the agenda to move executive session to last item before adjournment. Second. I have a uh motion and a second. All those in favor? Aye. Thank you so much. We also have the action on the proposed um summary of actions for January 15th. I move that we approve and adopt the summary of actions for the January 15th, 2025 regular meeting. Thank you, sir. And a second. Second. And we have a second for Commissioner Kernan. All those in favor? Aye. Thank you so much. Now we have where are we? Oh, recognition of persons attending the meeting. I'm going to turn that over to our brand new. Good morning. Good afternoon, everyone. Um my name is Amalia Pleektam. I'm the acting planning commission administrator from planning and zoning. Uh recognition of persons attending the meeting from planning and zoning. We have Jason Brinkley, Director. Tamara Blake Wallace, Acting Deputy Director of Planning. Kay Harris, Long Range Planner, Jessica Catano, Planner 3, Kat Lockwood, Planner 2.
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