Planning commission approves Patuxent Cove Phase 1 concept plan with conditions

The St. Mary's County Planning Commission on [date of meeting] approved a concept site plan for Patuxent Cove Phase 1, a proposed 60‑unit multifamily apartment project by Conifer Realty, after hearing presentations from the applicant and staff and taking public comment.

The approved plan covers Phase 1 of a two‑phase development on Peg Road and includes 60 apartments in five residential buildings, a community building with a clubhouse and fitness space, a neighborhood green and a tot lot. The commission approved a request to reduce the county’s minimum open‑space requirement for the site from 50 percent to 30 percent and also accepted the applicant’s reduced parking program for Phase 1. The approval carries conditions the commission listed at the vote: a recorded affordable‑housing restriction of at least 15 years, no on‑street parking along the main entry drive, and explicit acceptance of the proposed parking count for Phase 1.

Why it matters

Planning staff and the applicant framed the project as a mixed‑income development that would add workforce and affordable rental housing near the Lexington Park development district and the naval base. The applicant said the project would reserve a portion of units for low‑income households and veterans and would be eligible for state low‑income housing tax credits and project‑based rental assistance.

What the commission heard

County staff summarized the concept submittal and the regulatory items the commission must consider under the comprehensive zoning ordinance, including buffer yards, parking, public‑facilities adequacy, forest conservation and open‑space requirements. Staff noted the plan as submitted shows approximately 83,360 square feet of building area and 60 dwelling units for Phase 1, that public hearing notices were posted in December 2017, and that agency review comments (METCOM, Department of Public Works, Health Department…