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Land use staff brief commissioners on Wildwood PUD growth, open space and planned road connection
Summary
County planning staff and Wildwood Residential updated commissioners on three decades of development in the Wildwood PUD, reporting that the development has already provided more open space than the green-book requirement and that a planned extension to Lawrence Hayden Road could be built once Magnolia Park approvals are final.
Land use staff on Aug. 30 briefed the St. Mary's County Board of County Commissioners on the Wildwood planned unit development, summarizing development patterns since the PUD’s 1978 approval and describing recurring issues including density increases, open-space accounting, stormwater controls and traffic circulation.
The presentation from planning staff and Wildwood Residential described how initial low-density sections gave way to higher-density townhome and multifamily construction, summarized open-space and recreational acreage provided to date, and identified a near-term road connection tied to approval of a Magnolia Park section.
Why it matters Wildwood is one of the county’s largest and longest-running PUDs. Changes in density, infrastructure requirements and the developer’s approach to amenities affect traffic on Maryland Route 235, the location of community recreation facilities and the distribution of open space across neighborhoods.
What planning staff reported Bob Bowles, a county planning staff member who delivered the briefing, said Wildwood’s original approval envisioned a mix of housing types. He reported 2,159 units have been built to date, including roughly 994 single-family detached homes, 348 townhomes/duplexes and 817 multifamily units. "Wildwood is required to have 445 acres of open space at complete build out of 3,792 units. It has provided 680 acres to date with the 2,159 units built to date," Bowles told the commissioners. He added that developed open space required at full build-out is 85 acres, and Wildwood has provided 105 acres so far.
Bowles said the original developer typically built lower-density sections in early decades and shifted to higher densities in later phases; newer sections were developed with more formal stormwater-management devices and perimeter buffers. He noted that among approvals since 2003 were developments built as high as about 19.6 units per acre in specific condominium/apartment plans and other sections built at densities around 3.5–4.2 units per acre.
Roads and connectivity On the question of a long-awaited back-road connection, planning staff said Promovera Road is expected to extend to Lawrence Hayden Road contingent on final approvals for the Magnolia Park section. Bowles said the extension could be constructed "as soon as this fall, maybe next spring," depending on final approvals and construction timing.
Developer perspective and amenities Sean Day, representing DuBau Development Management for Wildwood Residential, said the Wildwood Community Association and the developer have moved forward on amenities requested by residents, including a new pool (with permit and plans) and planned tennis and multipurpose field facilities that are now in technical review. Day said the community association reviewed and voted on those amenity projects and that construction timing will follow seasonal considerations (for example, pool construction after the end of pool season).
Open-space concerns from commissioners Commissioners repeatedly asked for clarity about what the Green Book’s definition of open space means in practice — i.e., that much of the PUD’s "green" area the Green Book counts as open space may include privately owned yards and landscape areas and is distinct from "developed" or publicly usable recreation open space such as parks and fields. Planning staff acknowledged the distinction and said the PUD’s developed-open-space totals (105 acres provided vs. 85 required at build-out) reflect parks, playgrounds, ball fields and similar amenities.
Next steps Planning staff told the board that Wildwood Residential has offered to host a tour of the PUD for the commissioners and staff to aid perspective; staff said it would coordinate schedules. Staff also noted that Promovera Road’s extension and the Magnolia Park timing are tied to pending technical and final approvals and that a portion of the Lawrence Hayden realignment related to airport improvements appears in the county CIP with design and construction phases identified.
