Leonardtown Council approves up to $800,000 CDBG pass-through for Cedar Lane senior housing

Leonardtown — The Leonardtown Town Council voted Feb. 10 to authorize submission of a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) pass-through application of up to $800,000 to support a senior multifamily housing expansion at the Cedar Lane campus at 22680 Cedar Lane Court.

Town staff said the grant would be a pass-through to Cedar Lane and that the town would manage required reporting if the award is made. Michelle (town staff) described the grant as “a worthwhile community project” and said the maximum available through this application would be $800,000.

Cedar Lane representatives told the council the campus expansion would use a mix of financing. A speaker identified as a Cedar Lane representative said the organization has partnered with a housing developer and expects to pursue low-income housing tax credits as primary financing; the CDBG funding would be used for site work such as electrical and sewer utilities. The representative said Cedar Lane purchased about 2.3 acres next to its existing campus and described the planned building as roughly in the mid‑tens of thousands of square feet (the transcript indicates “approximately a 56, 58,000 square foot” figure). The representative also said the broader plan had been described as a potential 70‑unit senior multifamily project; the speaker characterized the development as targeting low‑ to moderate‑income residents but the exact area‑median‑income range cited in the remarks was unclear on the record.

Council members noted the town previously participated in Cedar Lane projects: the transcript records an earlier CDBG award discussed by staff for $800,000 in 2014 and an additional $463,000 in pass‑through funding in 2017. Michelle told the council that additional public hearings and a subsequent, more specific resolution will be required during the formal application process.

The council adopted Resolution 1‑25 to authorize submittal of an application for CDBG pass‑through funds of up to $800,000 to Cedar Lane. A motion to adopt the resolution was moved and seconded on the record; the council voted verbally in favor with “Aye” when asked, and the chair declared the item approved. The transcript does not record a roll‑call tally or named yes/no votes.

Next steps specified in the meeting record: Cedar Lane will complete the grant application with town staff providing reporting if the award is granted; Cedar Lane representatives said they will submit a low‑income housing tax credit application next month as part of the financing strategy. Staff also noted that project approvals still require routine site‑level reviews (fire marshal and architectural approvals) and any utility capacity or EDU issues would need to be resolved before construction.

The action advances Leonardtown’s stated support for senior affordable housing on the Cedar Lane campus while leaving final funding details and regulatory approvals to subsequent administrative steps and public hearings.