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Planning commission approves site plan for sheriff’s evidence storage building, notes state-highway review
Summary
The Leonardtown Planning Commission approved the final site development plan and facade for a 20,611-square-foot sheriff’s evidence storage building (case 03-24) and the pad for a future headquarters building, while staff noted outstanding Maryland State Highway Administration review and recent fire marshal sign-off.
The Leonardtown Planning Commission voted to approve the final site development plan and facade for case 03-24, a 20,611-square-foot sheriff’s evidence storage building and associated parking and utilities in the Governmental Center Complex, and approved the pad for a future headquarters building.
Planning Department staff told the commission the project received several agency approvals and that the State Fire Marshal granted approval May 15. “The consultant submitted revised drawings to the state highway, addressing all comments received and anticipates an approval very shortly from them,” Planning Department staff said during the meeting.
Why it matters: The county described the project as a two-phase development in which phase 1 is the evidence building and phase 2 would be a 52,521-square-foot, two-story sheriff’s headquarters. Staff and county officials said the evidence building will relieve current space constraints at the existing sheriff’s facilities and that major traffic impacts at the Governmental Center are expected only when phase 2 is built.
Planning staff presented background approvals: concept approval from the Leonardtown Planning Commission on Nov. 18, 2024; final approvals from St. Mary’s County Public Works and Transportation (April 25); St. Mary’s Soil Conservation District (April 29); the Leonardtown Capital Projects Department and Leonardtown Planning Department (May 5); and submission of final architectural plans to the State Fire Marshal (May 9), with fire marshal approval updated to May 15.
During discussion, county staff and the commission debated whether to make the planning approval contingent on final Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) sign-off. Planning staff said the SHA had returned an initial review with multiple divisions commenting; a second-round review is in progress and could take about 40 days, though it might be faster if only a few items remain. Planning staff also said the town’s procurement office will not allow bidding for construction until town and SHA approvals are complete.
Assistant Sheriff Stafford of the Sheriff’s Office attended to answer operational questions; staff said typical daily occupancy in the evidence building would be about 15 to 20 people. Drew from the Department of Public Works was present to discuss project management after permit issuance.
The commission approved the final site development plan and facade by motion and voice vote. The commission’s approval covers the phase-1 pad and façade; county staff retains responsibility to ensure the project meets SHA requirements before construction work that affects the state highway proceeds.
Looking ahead: Construction of the second-phase headquarters was described as contingent on funding and a later timeline; county staff said additional funding planning is ongoing and that the second building’s construction timing will be addressed separately.
