Calvert County Planning Commission Public Hearing - February 18, 2026

This public hearing, held both in-person and virtually on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at 7:00 PM at the County Administration Building in Prince Frederick, MD, addressed two agenda items: a text amendment to the Ten-Year Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan and a draft update to the Dunkirk Town Center Master Plan. The Planning Commission took action on the first item and deferred a decision on the second pending further research.

Text Amendment #26-01 – Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan

Staff from the Department of Public Works presented a proposal to amend the 2019-2028 Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan to include a privately owned and financed recycling and transfer station to be located at 5340 Catch Road, Prince Frederick, with a permitted capacity of 750 tons per day of non-hazardous construction and demolition (C&D) waste. The facility would separate and process recyclable materials, serving Calvert County and neighboring Southern Maryland counties. The amendment is required by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) before a permit can be issued.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Andrew Springer, a partner in the applicant company (Sun), stated the majority of waste is expected to come from Calvert County, with small amounts from neighboring jurisdictions. He confirmed the material currently goes to the county’s transfer station and then to Virginia, but the new facility would allow direct hauling by contractors and construction companies, eliminating the intermediate step.
• No other public comments or agency remarks were received.

Discussion Items

• Commissioners questioned the necessity of the amendment and the current disposal path. Staff clarified the facility cannot operate without being listed in the county’s plan.
• The applicant described the waste stream as mixed C&D (wood, concrete, drywall, metal, dirt, brick, block, plastics) and noted the facility would sort materials, not produce finished products. The county would report the recycled tonnage in its annual recycling rate.
• Commissioner McQueen asked about the fiscal impact; staff replied it is unknown until operations begin.

Key Outcomes

• Motion: Commissioner Freeland moved to find the text amendment consistent with the Calvert County Comprehensive Plan and recommend adoption by the Board of County Commissioners. Commissioner Gadway seconded.
• Vote: 5 in favor, 1 against (Commissioner McQueen). The motion carried.

Chapter 1: Town Centers & Chapter 3: Dunkirk Town Center Master Plan (December 2025 Draft)

Tay Harris, Long Range Planner, presented the draft update. The plan reflects revisions from a 60-day comment period (June–August 2025) and subsequent direction from the Planning Commission (December 2025). Key revisions include updates to housing affordability assessments, census data, impervious surface percentages, broadband status, and a recommendation to coordinate with the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) for commuter bus services to Annapolis, New Carrollton, College Park, and Greenbelt. The plan also proposes realigning town center boundaries to include the Dunkirk District Park (county-owned, purchased with Program Open Space funds) and the Dunkirk Park & Ride (state-owned).

Public Comments & Testimony

• John Kaiser (speaking for himself, lives in Dunkirk) questioned the benefit of expanding the town center to include the park and park & ride, and expressed concern about increased impervious surfaces.
• Sarah Rothhouse (speaking for herself, lives in Applegreen, Dunkirk) opposed a proposed restriction making Apple Way onto Route 4 right-turn-only, citing safety and potential congestion at the Ward Road intersection. She supported the proposed Shops Way connection between Apple Way and Dunkirk Way.

Discussion Items

• Staff responded that including the park and park & ride aligns with the town center’s mixed-use intent (including civic uses). The boundary change does not transfer ownership or increase impervious surface; any future development would require separate review.
• Regarding the right-turn-only proposal, staff noted the State Highway Administration (SHA) identified accident risks and sight-distance limitations at that location; the recommendation is based on an SHA study, but no funding or plans exist.
• Commissioner McQueen expressed opposition to any town center expansions that include undeveloped land, referring to similar expansions in Prince Frederick and Owings.
• Questions were raised about the current zoning of the park (Rural Neighborhood) and the potential for residential development within town centers (only assisted housing is permitted in Dunkirk Town Center, with a max density of 4 units/acre via TDRs). Parks Director Bob Brennan confirmed the park is restricted from sale or development due to Program Open Space funding.
• A commissioner requested an asterisk or footnote in the plan regarding population estimates derived from different Census methodologies (2020 actual vs. 2023 estimate) to avoid implying a precise population increase.

Key Outcomes

• Motion: Commissioner Freeland moved to direct staff to provide further research as requested during testimony on or before the next Planning Commission meeting, and to keep the record open until that meeting. Commissioner Gadway seconded.
• Vote: Unanimous in favor.
• The draft plan remains open for additional comment; no final action was taken on the proposed amendments.