Wildwood open space plan exceeds requirements with 442 acres designated

The St. Mary's County Planning Commission convened on February 7, 2025, to discuss various aspects of land development and open space requirements in the Wildwood area. The meeting focused on the open space schedule, which tracks the required versus provided amounts of open space and developed open space for the ongoing Woodland Park project.

The first item on the agenda was a presentation of the open space requirements. It was noted that the build-out of the Woodland Park project will necessitate 442.92 acres of open space and 84.88 acres of developed open space. Current data indicated that, based on the 1,826 residential units planned, the project has exceeded these requirements significantly.

The discussion then shifted to the specifics of the Woodland Park project and its proximity to surrounding properties. Concerns were raised about the density of nearby developments, particularly in comparison to the Challenger Estates project, which faced considerable community feedback due to its closeness to existing homes. In contrast, the Woodland Park area is described as more rural, with less dense development nearby.

Commission members examined maps to better understand the layout of the Woodland Park project and its relationship to adjacent lands. It was highlighted that the area surrounding Woodland Park is primarily woodland and rural, differing from the densely populated St. Andrews Estates adjacent to Challenger Estates.

The meeting concluded with a discussion on the measures taken to enhance buffering around the Woodland Park project, including the planting of approximately 300 trees along the perimeter to mitigate any potential impact on neighboring properties. The commission acknowledged the importance of community feedback in shaping development plans and emphasized the need for ongoing dialogue as the project progresses.