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Commissioners approve Pax River Village Center rezoning despite Navy opposition
Summary
The board voted to change land use and zoning to high‑intensity mixed use for portions of Pax River Village Center outside the Air Installation Compatible Use Zone; the Navy formally recommended disapproval and one commissioner voted no.
The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County voted July 15 to approve a comprehensive-plan and zoning‑map change (Zone 24‑0413) for portions of the Pax River Village Center that fall outside the Air Installation Compatible Use Zone (ACUS), moving the land use designation to mixed‑use high intensity and the zoning to MXH (high intensity mixed use).
Why it matters: the proposal aims to support downtown Lexington Park revitalization with higher‑intensity, walkable development and specific uses the developer has proposed, including townhomes and a childcare facility the YMCA would operate. The change drew both developer and local support and a formal recommendation of disapproval from Naval Air Station Patuxent River.
Commissioners heard that Atlantic Realty has invested in a plan it says will revitalize the Lexington Park corridor. “I like Atlantic Realty's plan. They've done a substantial investment,” one commissioner said during the discussion, while another commissioner said the Navy’s input on health, safety and mission implications compelled a no vote.
The record shows the Navy submitted a recommendation to disapprove the amendment; commissioners discussed follow‑up with Navy representatives in the meeting and noted Navy staff were in attendance. Commissioner comments were split: one commissioner said the project was outside the ACUS and supported moving ahead; another commissioner said the Navy’s stated concerns about health, safety and mission at NAS Patuxent River prevented support.
Roll call on the motion was recorded in the meeting transcript as: Commissioner Hewitt — Yes; Commissioner Coleman — No; Commissioner Alderson — Yes; Commissioner Guy — Yes. Commissioner Ostrow recused himself from the decision. Staff was directed to prepare findings of fact and final ordinances consistent with the decision.
Next steps: staff will draft final ordinances and findings of fact consistent with the commissioners’ approval. The developer and county will continue interactions with Navy representatives as suggested during the meeting.
