Owings residents pressed Calvert County planning staff on traffic and safety issues at a public input meeting on the Owings Town Center master plan, saying high speeds, frequent crashes and flooding on MD 260 and nearby local roads make the area unsafe for drivers and pedestrians.

Multiple residents described repeated collisions when turning into local developments off MD 260 and complained that buses and students are exposed to high‑speed passing vehicles at stop locations. Debbie Zaniolati said traffic conditions around her neighborhood make it “a mess” and described vehicles passing on road shoulders in congested periods. Another resident noted that her son had been rear‑ended twice while turning into a driveway on MD 260.

Why it matters: traffic patterns and safety constraints affect whether the county can encourage pedestrian‑oriented town‑center development, install sidewalks or support higher density housing without major roadwork. Planning staff said several matters raised will be routed to the Department of Public Works and, where applicable, to the Maryland State Highway Administration for technical review.

Specific requests and responses: residents suggested speed enforcement, roundabouts in strategic locations and traffic‑calming measures used in nearby Friendship. Jason Brinkley, director of planning and zoning, said staff will pass concerns to DPW and other agencies and that adequate public facilities rules guide larger infrastructure decisions. Several speakers asked whether the county can require developers to study traffic impacts beyond the immediate site; staff said the county’s Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance governs how far traffic and school impacts are examined and that is evaluated as part of plan updates and development review.

Quotes from the meeting: Joe Cormier said, “Leave it on 24. It doesn't need to come down 260.” Michelle Tucker urged measures to “reduce light pollution” and to reuse vacant paved lots rather than paving new surfaces. A resident asked the county to consider “traffic calming measures, similar to about a mile north of here in Friendship.”

Ending: Planning staff reiterated that the master plan is a starting point for discussion. They said traffic and safety issues raised at the meeting would be coordinated with DPW and the State Highway Administration for technical analysis as part of the ongoing planning process.