Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners authorize open‑space swap to allow Leonardtown winery project to proceed
Summary
The board approved a local program open‑space (POS) conversion application that will swap two acres of county‑owned land for town property currently deed‑restricted as public recreation, allowing the Port of Leonardtown winery buildings to proceed.
St. Mary’s County commissioners on Nov. 13 authorized the county to sign a local Program Open Space (POS) conversion application to allow the Port of Leonardtown winery project to proceed.
Recreation and parks staff explained that in 1999 the town of Leonardtown purchased nearly two acres of property for public recreation using local POS funds. A deed restriction placed on that land requires public recreation use. Developers now plan to rehabilitate buildings on that parcel for a winery. To allow the change, state POS rules require the county to replace the town parcel with land of equal size, value and recreational worth.
Staff told the board the county owns roughly two acres nearby that could replace the town parcel. The application to Maryland’s POS program is a paperwork process (a property swap), not a cash grant; it must be approved by the State Board of Public Works and is expected to take a few months. Commissioners voted to authorize the county president to sign the conversion application so the town and the Southern Maryland Grape Growers Association can move ahead with the winery once state approval is obtained.
The motion, made by Commissioner Thomas Mattingly and seconded by Commissioner Lawrence Jarbo, passed by voice vote. Staff said the state Board of Public Works review would likely extend past the end of the year.
