The St. Mary's County Planning Commission approved the concept site plan for Saint Mary's Crossing, a proposed multifamily rental project totaling 333 units, on April 10, 2010 after the applicant proffered a package of mitigations including workforce housing, transit shelters and an emergency access upgrade.

Staff presented the concept plan and its long review history, noting a prior denial by the Board of County Commissioners of a planned unit development in 2009 and that the current plan is a revision consistent with the county's comprehensive plan. "Final findings for adequate public facilities for all phases will be made administratively by the planning director as a prerequisite to final site plan approval," staff said. The project sits in the outer edge of the Lexington Park Development District and proposes clustered multifamily buildings, a community center and landscaping to preserve the Saint Andrews Church Road view shed.

Applicant John Norris and owner representative George Ratliff described a development envelope of about 60.76 acres to be developed within a roughly 249‑acre parcel, public water and sewer service, and a mix of one‑, two‑ and three‑bedroom units. Norris said the project team would design stormwater management to meet the new state rules and pursue an innovative on‑site cistern/pond solution to reuse runoff for irrigation. He also said the applicant planned to fund and construct a traffic signal at the intersection of Wildwood Parkway and Maryland Route 4 if state approval and warranting could be obtained.

Ratliff offered a proffer on workforce housing and local occupancy concessions: "we are prepared to offer 1 unit per building for bona fide St. Mary's County school teacher, police officer, fireman, or EMS technician... and that would be offered at a conventional percentage of income rate." Later in the hearing Ratliff confirmed there are nine buildings, so the proffer totals nine workforce units.

The applicant also agreed to provide two covered bus shelters at appropriate locations and to pave Johnson Pond Lane to county emergency‑access standards for fire and EMS access. During the public comment period multiple neighbors told the commission they had safety concerns about additional traffic on Maryland Route 4 and asked where a proposed signal would be located; speakers described morning and afternoon congestion at nearby driveways and intersections.

Commissioner Missus Squazo moved approval with the applicant's on‑record proffers and the stated emergency access paving; Commissioner Miner seconded. The commission voted in favor; the motion carried.

Commissioners and staff noted remaining steps: a traffic signal warrant study and detailed APF findings at final site plan; Metcom and sewer routing and coordination for the site; consultation with Maryland Department of the Environment and state agencies on the proposed stormwater/pond cistern approach; and meeting with transit and the school system about bus stops and pickup locations. Several residents urged additional outreach on road safety and sight distance before construction.