Planning commission recommends CWSP changes for new Moon Elementary amid airport overlay concerns

The St. Mary's County Planning Commission on Jan. 22 recommended that the Board of County Commissioners amend county service maps to permit community water and sewer service for a proposed 646‑student elementary school (Moon Elementary) in the Third Election District.

Staff noted the county amended CWSP text in 2005–2006 to allow water and sewer to extend from a development district across its boundary to serve a school that is adjacent to and accessible through a growth area. The applicant is the St. Mary's County Board of Education; staff and the Technical Evaluation Committee reported no objections from the Health Department or Metropolitan Commission on the requested service categories (from NPS to W-3D and S-3D). Planning staff said the project’s water and sewer demand was estimated at about 20 equivalent dwelling units and that the Lexington Park water distribution system and the Marley Taylor wastewater treatment plant could accommodate that demand.

The hearing drew extended public comment and repeated questions from commissioners about the school's location within the airport environs overlay and whether airport safety, approach patterns and noise had been fully analyzed. Jackie Meisner, attorney for St. Mary's County Public Schools, noted the Board of Appeals had granted conditional use and later site‑plan modifications, and asked the commission to recommend the CWSP amendment now so the multi‑step water and sewer approval could proceed while the commission reviews any additional materials.

Chad Frederick, chief engineer for the Metropolitan Commission, told the commission the wider Wildwood area development will include a new well and water tank that will supply the area and provide storage capacity sized to serve the school and other nearby development. A number of nearby residents and pilots spoke at the hearing: several residents asked about water pressure, drainage and increased traffic; pilots and a resident active with AOPA raised safety concerns about locating nearly 646 children near airport approach patterns and asked for a formal review by public works and the Airport Commission.

Commissioners said they expected additional documentation when the project returns for concept/site‑plan review and asked staff to obtain public‑works and airport‑overlay analyses for the record. Commissioner Evans moved the recommendation to amend service maps 3‑33 and 4‑33 to W‑3D and S‑3D; Commissioner Hayden seconded and the motion carried with all in favor.

Meisner and school staff said they will proceed with the CWSP amendment while the commission and public agencies prepare the additional technical material and review the Board of Appeals record; final site and APF (adequate public facilities) reviews will follow.