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County releases findings from second round of Saint Mary—s 2050 plan outreach; growth, housing and environment highlighted
Summary
County planners reported on Phase 2 engagement for the Saint Mary—s 2050 comprehensive plan update, summarizing survey responses about where residents support mixed-use, multifamily and starter homes, and priorities on environmental protection, public access to water, transit and services for older adults.
St. Mary—s County planning staff and consultants gave commissioners an update July 29 on the Saint Mary—s 2050 comprehensive plan process, reporting results from a second round of community engagement and the completion of a technical trends-and-projections report.
Leanne King of Clarion Associates, and Jessica Andritz, the county—s director of land use and growth management, told the board the second engagement window (May 16June 30) included 15 in-person intercept events and an online survey. "We asked where residents support mixed-use development, starter homes, and multifamily housing," King said. Lexington Park, Leonardtown and California showed the highest support for denser development, while a significant share of respondents said they did not support certain types of new development in some areas.
King walked commissioners through results across three themed segments: "guarding our growth through 2050" (development locations and housing types), "environmental and agricultural resources" (support for natural stormwater management, land purchases for shoreline protection and conservation easements) and "serving our community" (transit priorities, bike and pedestrian facilities, aging-in-place services).
Key findings the consultant reported: roughly half of respondents supported redevelopment that is more intensive than existing development to make projects economically feasible; 54% supported county-acquired land for public water access; there was strong support for farm-to-school purchasing and agritourism programs; and top transit priorities focused on improving existing bus routes and adding service within the county. The trends-and-projections technical report is complete and will be posted on the project web page; staff noted the Maryland Department of Planning projects county population growth to just under 154,000 by 2045.
Commissioners asked for additional breakdowns by age cohort and comparisons with neighboring counties; staff agreed to post the trends-and-projections report and to add FAQ items addressing age-cohort and comparative questions. The next step is drafting the public-review plan (community engagement window 3) followed by public hearings and plan adoption process later in 2025 into early 2026.
