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County delays vote on proposed reduction of open-space requirement from 50% to 30% in growth-area residential zones
Summary
County planners introduced a text amendment to reduce required undeveloped open space in RL, RH and RMX zones from 50% to 30% to encourage denser development in growth areas. Commissioners declined to waive additional review and directed staff to return with more background for a second reading within 30 days.
St. Mary’s County Department of Land Use and Growth Management introduced a proposed zoning text amendment on May 1 that would reduce the required undeveloped open space from 50 percent to 30 percent in three residential zone categories — RL, RH and RMX — in an effort to allow denser development in the county’s designated growth areas.
Phil Shire, a county planning official, told commissioners that the current 50 percent open-space requirement in development districts effectively removes half the parcel area from development and makes it difficult to reach the densities envisioned in the comprehensive plan and state guidance for concentrated development. Shire said the amendment also would delete a cross-reference (section 32.3.4) tied to a workforce housing incentive the county has not adopted.
Commissioners discussed possible effects across the county, noting the proposal’s likely stronger impact in growth areas such as Lexington Park and Leonardtown than in less-served areas such as Charlotte Hall and New Market, where sewer and other infrastructure constraints limit density regardless of open-space rules. Several commissioners said they wanted more background on the proposal and the public process that led to it before expediting review.
Commissioner Cynthia L. Jones moved to accept the amendments for first reading and to waive the 30-day comment period and the second reading and to send the amendment directly to the planning commission for a public hearing. Commissioner Todd B. Morgan seconded that motion. One commissioner said during debate they would vote against the motion, and the second was later withdrawn; the initial motion died without a vote.
After discussion, Commissioner Morgan moved an alternate motion directing the Department of Land Use and Growth Management to return with a second reading within 30 days. That motion was seconded and carried, keeping the item active but requiring staff to provide additional background, history, and scoped analysis before the Board considers sending the text amendment through the county’s full public-review process.
No formal zoning change was adopted at the May 1 meeting; the amendment remains at first-reading status and will return for further consideration.
