St. Mary's County commissioners on March 6 authorized staff to lift 31 transferable development rights (TDRs) from the county-owned Fenwick (Fenwick Bridal legacy) parcel and to sell any that are not reserved for Habitat for Humanity home construction and a proposed farmers market.

Land-use staff explained the parcel contains 157.7 gross acres. GIS mapping identified 64 acres of sensitive land that were deducted from the gross total, leaving 93 acres eligible for TDR calculation; that 93 divided by the program's per-TDR acreage produced 31 TDRs to lift.

Phil Shire (county land-use staff) said the county will preserve enough acreage on the tract for a possible five-lot minor subdivision and up to two farmsteads while selling the 31 TDRs. Staff proposed that proceeds from any sale of county-owned TDRs be deposited into a distinct fund to support agricultural preservation, not the general fund; commissioners requested that restriction be included in the motion.

Commissioners also directed staff to restrict use of the Fenwick TDRs to transfers into development districts outside the Rural Preservation District (RPD). Phil said the county will run a procurement/bid process to sell the TDRs rather than a private transfer; county staff recommended the proceeds be used for future land-preservation purchases.

Commissioner Jarbo moved the motion and Commissioner Raley seconded. The board approved the motion by voice vote.