St. Mary's County commissioners voted Aug. 6 to authorize a letter to the town of Leonardtown stating the county has no objection to annexing 23511 Hollywood Road (Davis Office Park) into Leonardtown and placing the parcel in the town's commercial office zoning classification.

The action clears the way for the property owner to pursue a third office building that would require connection to Leonardtown's public sewer system; county staff said no county sewer allocations are available in the Leonardtown development district. "In order to build a 3rd building, hook up to the public sewer system was required and there are no allocations for the county in the development district of Leonardtown," Phil Shire, director of the county's Department of Land Use and Growth Management, told the commissioners.

The commissioners' letter, which the board authorized the president to sign, states St. Mary's County has no objection to placing the property in Leonardtown's commercial office zoning classification upon annexation. LaShelle McKay, town administrator for Leonardtown, told the board the town has scheduled a public hearing on the annexation.

Shire said the parcel's existing use is office/business park and would remain so whether or not annexed. He said the town's commercial office zoning allows office, medical and similar non‑retail uses but does not permit gas stations or convenience stores, which staff said protects the town's intended character and is similar to the county RMX zoning that currently applies to adjacent parcels.

Commissioner Todd B. Morgan moved to authorize the letter; Commissioner Daniel L. Morris seconded the motion. The board voted in favor with no recorded opposition.

The county administrator noted the town's public hearing is scheduled for the week following the commission meeting. If additional adjacent properties seek annexation in the future, county and town officials said that would be considered as development proposals arise and sewer capacity is required.

The action was administrative: the board did not approve any change in zoning itself, only a letter advising Leonardtown of the county's lack of objection to the annexation request.