[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6189331,"mediaKeyId","5057951-0365b74c9b89bb6930a759b2466e3ac0","parentId",5057951,"title","Public hearing opens on Pax River Village rezoning after Navy urges caution","audioSeconds",2321,"startMs",1820000,"endMs",4141000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5057951-0365b74c9b89bb6930a759b2466e3ac0&start=1820&end=4141","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5057951-0365b74c9b89bb6930a759b2466e3ac0/thumbnail_1820000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6189331/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Public-hearing-opens-on-Pax-River-Village-rezoning-after-Navy-urges-caution","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6189331-756d6f45b49c7c2749941702965fb674/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171533&Signature=Q4OuSYGwVEQ1OEZnfIX3LNaRpDsFPAhukASNCIm2EE~U5-rFpdoaCy9P-FnCuHrWvDklQRN~ywkmkE7FZHIJKh4hTEnCGkHfBt~vsw838CUICIj7G13QzSoj0gn6lYc0NBHnN6~2eiBHjHneLxqDjllTssXnWnzzO~-XG3m0pYfaELIKWof-iKKD0aW1kCHLviRBj4ypKsBtpbg4mXOAUXb60iHZoJVU05oDj7thuK-mf~L3zEAj6QgA7TFtNvXMeiucyXbqTjkuTxbnvOHLsFEZnOvAiNAdfGtKOmStInYhhpbx~za082O1OqLzCZ5UVrLoghf1YgKpIMqq9ZmXbg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","St. Mary's County, MD","date","2025-06-25T04:24:34Z","article","A public hearing opened June 24 as the Commissioners of St. Mary’s County considered a comprehensive-plan and zoning-map amendment for four parcels in the Pax River Village Center in Lexington Park, a proposal that would change the sites’ land-use and zoning to “mixed use high intensity” (MXH) outside of the air‑installation compatible use (AQ/APZ) areas.

The applicant, Atlantic Realty, presented a plan to continue redevelopment of the Patuxent River Village Center and seek rezoning for areas outside the AQ line to support a mixed‑use project with housing, retail and a proposed day‑care center. “We’re really here to talk about their phase 2 of their project today,” attorney Chris Longmore told the commissioners, adding the developer “followed both that guidance and the guidance of our current zoning ordinance relating to the AQ zone” and presented a concept plan to the Planning Commission before seeking the rezoning.

The Planning Commission recommended the zoning map amendment by a 4–3 vote and approved the concept site plan 6–1; the commissioners held the public hearing after staff described the requested map and zoning changes and the legal standards the board must consider.

Naval Air Station Patuxent River’s commanding officer, Capt. Doug Burfield, urged the county not to approve the rezoning. “Naval Air Station Patuxent River … recommends that the commissioners of Saint Mary’s County do not approve this zone change,” Burfield said, citing the property’s proximity to the station’s Accident Potential Zone 2 (APZ‑2), the flight path for Runway 6 and noise contours that place the site inside the 60‑decibel contour noted in a 2019 noise study. He told the board a new ACU study is scheduled for completion by the end of the calendar year and warned that “decisions made prior to the release of this study may not be based on the most accurate information.”

Multiple residents and community leaders spoke in support of the rezoning at the hearing. Joan Sullivan Cowan told commissioners that townhomes would provide housing needed for “new hires on the Navy base, the sheriff’s department and our public schools,” and added the proposed site is outside the APZ area. Troy Cowan, a longtime resident, said the county needs housing and that disclosures already warn buyers about aircraft noise: “When we bought our house 10 years ago, we signed the real estate disclosure.” Bert Johnson noted the YMCA intends to operate a child‑care center planned for the redeveloped shopping center and described the YMCA’s capacity and experience in childcare.

County staff and the applicant said the rezoning request applies only to parcels or parcel portions outside the AQ/APZ lines and that the proposed design incorporates noise‑attenuating construction and other measures. Longmore said the developer’s phase 1 work removed deteriorated buildings within the AQ and APZ‑2 areas and that current proposals are intended to meet AQ guidance, while also supporting county revitalization goals for Lexington Park.

The commissioners left the record open for seven days; the public comment period will remain open until close of business July 1, 2025, and the board is scheduled to take a final decision on the Pax River zoning map and plan amendment at its July 15 meeting.

Why it matters: The request pairs local redevelopment goals for Lexington Park with concerns from NAS Pax River about resident safety and noise exposure adjacent to flight operations. The board must weigh county redevelopment policy and the Planning Commission recommendation against safety and compatibility concerns expressed by the base and community members.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","6/24/25 Commissioners of St. Mary's County","oneSentenceSummary","A public hearing opened June 24 as the Commissioners of St. Mary’s County considered a comprehensive-plan and zoning-map amendment for four parcels in the Pax River Village Center in Lexington Park, a proposal that would change the sites’ land-use and zoning to “mixed use high intensity” (MXH) outside of the air‑installation compatible use (AQ/APZ) areas.","taxTitle","St. Mary's County, Maryland","taxId",51086,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6189313,"County renews Small Business Development Center agreement with College of Southern Maryland",222,7198000,7420000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5057951-0365b74c9b89bb6930a759b2466e3ac0&start=7198&end=7420","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5057951-0365b74c9b89bb6930a759b2466e3ac0/thumbnail_7198000.jpg","/articles/6189313/St-Marys-County/Maryland/County-renews-Small-Business-Development-Center-agreement-with-College-of-Southern-Maryland","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6189313-0040c64666022b297f04599850bca594/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171533&Signature=Rd0M5S3AhMhX4gvdMa9kgP42JEedPxMRBPrs1BHUn2yza1cSxc37okRQuZPhZNL4GPLvzRAlZ5m1uVa-cjeBZKzMw3RjOfxWsgIGkq41M8AGTkcMaAor7iwKvl6kMqpxWwdiR~H0JGLj7bB0SeGxeb~yDtR~21zy22UVETUQWUb2284MFLz5Ab0NQewmD6iVQEonJIWEvId1DgPNLJUnwXFILzX9qfwiwcU2O6CZ64L2NFp8lRapLwmLnuf48dH4UWiTcZ1PdqZVP8T3B58guPWw2EWaLwlmK3Gkwd~mGvtfiuJ15EyFCQiVqowK0Fu5b~z9lI8GMwNyuumqSg7vpA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County approved a fiscal‑year 2026 memorandum of agreement with the College of Southern Maryland to continue local delivery of Small Business Development Center (SBDC) services and provide a cash match of $46,500.

James Vasquez, the newly named Southern Maryland regional director for the SBDC, summarized recent activity and metrics: through mid‑June the SBDC had served 56 county clients, delivered 264 counseling hours, reported five business starts (45 percent of the annual SBA goal of 11) and high client satisfaction. Vasquez described planned programming that includes AI training workshops in partnership with Google’s Grow with Google initiative, targeted financial‑literacy and credit‑repair efforts with a state partner (TEGCO), and support for entrepreneurs and potentially displaced federal or Department of Defense workers. He also noted closer collaboration with the county Department of Economic Development and on‑campus SBDC presence at the College of Southern Maryland.

Commissioners approved the memorandum of agreement and authorized the commissioner president to execute related documents.

Why it matters: The SBDC provides no‑cost counseling, technical assistance and training that supports local entrepreneurship, access to capital and workforce transitions. The FY‑26 agreement maintains county support and funds the county’s required cash match to continue local SBDC services.","Commissioners approved the FY‑26 memorandum of agreement with the College of Southern Maryland to continue Small Business Development Center services for St. Mary’s County and provide a cash match of $46,500; the SBDC reported client growth, counseling hours and new initiatives including AI workshops and financial literacy partnerships.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6189318,"Commissioners approve $525,954 MOU with Visit St. Mary’s for fiscal year 2026 tourism work",990,6268000,7258000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5057951-0365b74c9b89bb6930a759b2466e3ac0&start=6268&end=7258","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5057951-0365b74c9b89bb6930a759b2466e3ac0/thumbnail_6268000.jpg","/articles/6189318/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Commissioners-approve-525954-MOU-with-Visit-St-Marys-for-fiscal-year-2026-tourism-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6189318-95076d7fa5f191736e2c3df0d7a89391/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171533&Signature=Y0RHaIImcu9bF75gZ~BPeGhmOkLA3fIzJRtzclDHXDEyftRCjJCaRqGJ-ZA6kaZ4RrCNjoUaBwTr8ndvorNIpoQaZMcqPazcH-FRrdoz9IvxHWmD4M1ywrGLwJPA7NhwO4Cj3dVVzoUwT9QP0nolsJ~tvoKdzFrV58rPXy3iQf0QL4HlqWP0P5jTTgMRIhtYBKFuS8P9BHRNpxjGq7fKKtR~Tum4IRmxcjNwHG1W4FVYnePm35vGAO7LNmzhWsfnlsmRN2f4ZMgcUlMtWDa1qGskmk6qxfSFtED5fnwy7wccIZv~SbDIw1pfiFUbWsf9poXE5~GMjdDwbBQ-fk3bVg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County on June 24 approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Visit St. Mary’s MD to serve as the county’s official destination marketing organization for fiscal year 2026.

Department of Economic Development Director Chris Casalemas told the board the MOU authorizes Visit St. Mary’s to carry out tourism duties on behalf of the county and establishes county funding of $525,954 for FY‑26, an increase from the FY‑25 allocation of $480,312 tied to a rise in accommodations tax revenue. The agreement also provides no‑cost office space for Visit St. Mary’s in the Economic Development offices and continues a county seat on the Visit St. Mary’s board.

Liz Miltenstein, executive director of Visit St. Mary’s, presented an annual update outlining how the organization will invest the funds: regional paid advertising, sponsorships for county events, a tourism ambassador program to train frontline staff in local visitor services, visitor data tracking through a private analytics partner, and two grants secured in FY‑25 for promotional work (a Maryland Alcohol Manufacturing Promotion Fund award and a regional state tourism grant to produce video content). She described target markets (Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia and Norfolk) and said the organization aims to reinvest lodging tax funds into county events and partner marketing.

Casalemas and Miltenstein said the FY‑26 MOU included minor language updates in accountability and Exhibit A listing FY‑26 strategic objectives; staff told commissioners revised exhibits would be presented clearly in future renewals. Commissioners approved the MOU and authorized the commission president to sign related documents.

Why it matters: The MOU commits county lodging‑tax revenue to county tourism promotion and specifies strategic activities — advertising, event sponsorship, partner support and data analytics — intended to attract overnight visitors and support local businesses that rely on tourism.","The county approved a memorandum of understanding continuing Visit St. Mary’s MD as the county’s official destination marketing organization for FY‑26 and agreed to provide $525,954 in accommodations‑tax funds and no‑cost office space; Visit St. Mary’s outlined marketing, grants and partnership activities for the year.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6189323,"County authorizes phase‑2 PSAP grounding work after 9‑1‑1 grant realignment",219,9405000,9624000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5057951-0365b74c9b89bb6930a759b2466e3ac0&start=9405&end=9624","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5057951-0365b74c9b89bb6930a759b2466e3ac0/thumbnail_9405000.jpg","/articles/6189323/St-Marys-County/Maryland/County-authorizes-phase2-PSAP-grounding-work-after-911-grant-realignment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6189323-2d4e7265aa54878203acae5732fcb607/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171533&Signature=eoUlkrGSTsrMAtgOx7GNty6aTLn~j1OtjnhAu7uQMz2~dBPuQHKCv1ZCOpN4dUGcFrPNU1sYACP6Gi7fn98G~mKKsErqXTviOS-VgNOjCRmi3mxM0xm6nTR6ZtLR0Cm4TlJEHuR~T-~Zl0hhF3xwfQJMHwu2ZYjOlsDXXfvDqUcMZaDmUt7flAzs2bvvQMVxbO-7~eawzjgKD0eg5AY~mXjKo-TMzS513aStlVLikgex~gYC9DM6DHaGDTAcn0nCd-iJZXuLV06nJgfbp4hr~6bFFSkkx412T6Cy3NDRyUsydGZB1uTqqHo-4o1kGc2NV~3b29xZt~6KSk7Q6fmE~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","St. Mary’s County emergency‑services staff told commissioners June 24 they will realign spending within Maryland 9‑1‑1 Board trust funds to complete phase‑2 electrical grounding and bonding work at a backup public‑safety answering point (PSAP) after earlier lightning strikes damaged equipment.

Emergency Services staff said the county initially received 9‑1‑1 board approval for $600,000 and completed phase 1, which included relocating overhead utilities, removing telephone poles and conducting tower inspection work. The department requested commissioners’ approval to realign remaining FY‑25 9‑1‑1 funds and to proceed with a second phase to bond and ground metal components inside the PSAP, install a grounding loop around the building and extend grounding to the on‑site radio tower so the facility will meet Motorola R56 grounding standards for communications support facilities.

Deputy Director Kirsten Shag and technical staff explained that mission‑critical consultants and the Department of Public Works and Transportation determined the project must proceed in phases; phase 2 is quoted at roughly $535,000 and would be covered by realigned FY‑25 9‑1‑1 board funds and subsequent grant year allocations. Shag told commissioners $90,000 remained on the original grant and the requested realignment would allow the county to finish the remediation effort.

Commissioners voted to approve the FY‑2025 budget amendment realigning the spending plan for the Maryland 9‑1‑1 Board trust fund (MD2538) and authorized Emergency Services to proceed with the phase‑2 project plan presented to the state.

Why it matters: The work addresses documented equipment damage caused by lightning strikes and seeks to reduce the risk of future outages at a PSAP that handles emergency calls. Funding comes from the Maryland 9‑1‑1 Board grant program and required county approval to realign the FY‑25 spending plan to finish the remediation.","Emergency Services received approval to realign Maryland 9‑1‑1 board grant funds and proceed with a second phase of electrical grounding and bonding work at the county backup Public Safety Answering Point after lightning strikes damaged equipment; staff said the remaining grant balance and a second 9‑1‑1 grant year will fund completion.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6189327,"Commissioners approve county school‑zone speed camera program, award contract to Novoa Global",2367,3999000,6366000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5057951-0365b74c9b89bb6930a759b2466e3ac0&start=3999&end=6366","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5057951-0365b74c9b89bb6930a759b2466e3ac0/thumbnail_3999000.jpg","/articles/6189327/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Commissioners-approve-county-schoolzone-speed-camera-program-award-contract-to-Novoa-Global","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6189327-a4e24849b992639743648891c69eabad/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171533&Signature=fAtO5jgAk~G6VxPu5dQTNV09kCGZIHzaorMsEtRrHC~VsTBLv-D~SXWc2KlD-8DMsMdt4-TKiL0OqcnBIoqH7gWY7p7r1NCeDWg~oFqbqGsJs4~Phye9UcT~lk2kKkSYq3Rg868A-ojba17YUarC0ukiHQeLR1e22lOuFRGFz0EFrK2PrF5zjIlKIIhX0EFYoyQNHg0lzrlrzDK0C5nZjiuxa9AqSYmx2lUC12SwgBiGnD0QyoZB0A93od7XX5jWwusyVq5NXAQJUrrK7jH6rEPPp6wqiJiXv1V-k5ncmXka-22xStSUDtJbz8h9Q2RzX-BjWr282nQGETjHlflNQw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County on June 24 authorized a county automated speed photo enforcement (ASPE) program limited to school zones, approved creation of two positions in the sheriff’s budget to run the program, awarded the contract to Novoa Global Inc. (subject to contract paperwork) and approved a budget amendment establishing the program fund.

The board voted to add 1 FTE sworn contract deputy (Automated Speed Photo Enforcement) and 1 FTE automated enforcement technician to the sheriff’s budget effective July 1, 2026, and authorized the procurement officer to award the ASPE program contract to Novoa Global subject to receipt and acceptance of contract documents. Commissioners also approved the related budget amendment to establish the program budget and a revolving fund.

Capt. Richard Russell, commander of the Special Operations Division for the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, framed the program as a traffic‑safety tool. “It’s a tool to reduce speed,” he said, adding the goal is to “reduce accidents and and save lives.” Russell said the sheriff’s office will administer the program and work with the vendor on site selection and validation.

Novoa Global’s business development manager, Debbie Traynor, described the company’s turnkey service: speed studies at candidate school zones, portable and fixed camera units, maintenance, encrypted imaging and a public website where violators can view images and pay or contest citations. “Our company offers a full turnkey program, where we perform the majority of tasks associated with the program,” she told commissioners, describing portable battery‑operated units and fixed installations that can use existing poles or new poles where needed.

County staff and the vendor answered technical questions at length. The contract presented to the board is structured as an operational service with a one‑year price in the bid documents and a program term discussed at three years; commissioners were told the vendor recommends leaving units in place at locations at least three months to change driver behavior. The sheriff’s office estimated first‑year operating costs in the board presentation at about $670,165; citations would be civil violations. Traynor said the system captures images and video and the vendor’s technicians import plate data for law‑enforcement verification before citations are issued.

The program was described in the public materials and at the meeting as limited to school zones (per the county ordinance); signage and advance public education were emphasized as part of the rollout. Sheriff’s office staff said the vendor will handle hardware deployment and maintenance and that the sheriff’s office will validate violations and handle customer inquiries and court representation if needed.

Why it matters: Commissioners approved a new automated enforcement program aimed at reducing speeding and crashes in school zones while creating a county budget and staffing structure to administer citations and public oversight. The contract award and program budget establish a near‑term operational approach; the county will track enforcement, citation volume and safety outcomes.","St. Mary’s County commissioners voted to add sheriff’s office staff and award a contract to Novoa Global to operate an automated speed photo enforcement program limited to school zones; board approved related budget amendment and revolving fund; vendor and sheriff described program scope, costs and civil citation procedures.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public hearing opens on Pax River Village rezoning after Navy urges caution

County renews Small Business Development Center agreement with College of Southern Maryland

Commissioners approve $525,954 MOU with Visit St. Mary’s for fiscal year 2026 tourism work

County authorizes phase‑2 PSAP grounding work after 9‑1‑1 grant realignment

Commissioners approve county school‑zone speed camera program, award contract to Novoa Global