Calvert County Planning Commission Regular Meeting - March 19, 2025

The Calvert County Planning Commission held its regular meeting on March 19, 2025, at 7:00 PM at the Harriet E. Brown Community Center. The meeting included approval of a site plan for Ward Farm Park maintenance buildings, a progress update on the Master Plan of Town Centers, a vote to amend the rules of procedure regarding recognition of attendees, and public comment. The meeting adjourned with thanks to outgoing Commissioner Dr. Richard Holler.

Consent Calendar

• The proposed agenda for the March 19, 2025, regular meeting was approved unanimously.
• The Summary of Actions from the February 27, 2025, regular meeting was approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Bob Estus, representing a concerned citizens group (Keith Calvert Country), commented on several aspects of the draft Town Centers plan. He expressed appreciation for the commissioners' detailed discussion of infrastructure and traffic issues. He questioned the purpose of proposed connecting roads (e.g., Chesapeake Boulevard extension) citing environmental damage and cost. He noted that Hunting Creek is not navigable and surrounded by swamp, but suggested that a kayak launch could improve public access and environmental awareness. He also referenced a new report on impervious surfaces available on the ACLT website.

Discussion Items

1. Ward Farm Park Maintenance Buildings (CSPR-143263) – Christine Finamore, Principal Planner, presented a conceptual site plan for two new maintenance buildings (total approx. 8,000 sq. ft.) at Ward Farm Park, located in the Farm and Forest District. The buildings are needed to support existing and planned park facilities. A traffic impact analysis is under review. Staff recommended approval with conditions. Commissioners asked questions about the park's overall development schedule; Bob Brenham (Parks & Recreation Director) confirmed funding is through state youth recreation funds and builds out in phases. The motion to approve with staff's recommended conditions passed unanimously.
2. Draft Chapter 1 (Town Centers) and Chapter 2 (Prince Frederick Town Center) Master Plan Update – Tay Harris, Long Range Planner, presented the restructured draft incorporating agency and public comments from a 90-day comment period (June–Sept 2024). No action was requested; Commissioners provided feedback for revisions. Key discussion points included:
   • The 67% increase in residential units (815 units: 339 townhomes, 476 apartments) in Prince Frederick since 2020, raising concerns about traffic infrastructure and failing intersections. Tay noted that previous TDR policies drove this growth, but the updated zoning ordinance lowers density to 4 units/acre and requires 5 TDRs per additional unit, likely slowing future growth.
   • Commissioner McQueen questioned the existing number of housing units in Prince Frederick and the accuracy of countywide vs. town center growth figures. Tay agreed to verify and provide a comparison.
   • Commissioner Gadway raised issues about the unfinished segment of the West Side Loop due to environmental constraints (steep slopes, erodible soils, stream valleys) and noted that the County's plan retained it as an option despite low likelihood of construction.
   • Commissioner Kernan questioned the wording on impervious surface increases in the Patuxent watershed, which implied a 100% increase in Calvert County when it was actually the entire watershed. Tay agreed to clarify.
   • Commissioner Holler pointed out that a pedestrian crosswalk reference on page 36 (regarding Route 24) was actually about Dunkirk, not Prince Frederick; Tay acknowledged this as an oversight.
   • Commissioner McQueen asked that failing intersections identified in a recent memory care facility presentation be included in the transportation section. Tay agreed.
   • Commissioner Kernan questioned the trail planned to Dares Beach (page 50) ending at a private beach community; Tay noted this is a heritage chapter recommendation and may need revisiting.

Key Outcomes

• CSPR-143263 (Ward Farm Park Maintenance Buildings): Approved unanimously with the conditions contained in the staff report.
• Rules of Procedure Amendment: The Planning Commission voted unanimously to direct the Commission attorney (John Mattingley) to draft a proposed amendment changing the “recognition of persons attending” section to “recognition of departments attending,” in order to avoid misidentification or omission of individual staff members. The amendment will be presented at a future meeting.
• Master Plan Update: No formal action taken; Commissioners provided comments for staff to incorporate before returning next month, at which time they may consider scheduling a public hearing in May.