All Saints Church seeks zoning change to host Head Start program in Avenue; public hearing remains open

All Saints Church representatives told the Commissioners of St. Mary's County on Sept. 9 that they want to adapt an existing parish hall in Avenue for a Head Start classroom, and asked the county to amend local zoning so the daycare use would be allowed within the Resource Conservation Area (RCA) overlay when it occupies an existing building.

The request, filed as Text 25-0112, would add a limited allowance for “daycare nonmedical facility” (use type 28 in county zoning) inside the RCA only if the program is placed in an existing structure, county land-use staff said. Jessica Andritz, director of Land Use and Growth Management, introduced the proposal at the commissioners' public hearing and said staff worked with the applicant to craft language intended to avoid new construction in the critical area while permitting use of an existing building.

The amendment would allow All Saints’ parish hall in Avenue, a historic building constructed in 1915 and described by the applicant as already suited for classroom use, to host Head Start programming. Chris Longmore, representing the All Saints vestry, said the congregation has interest from Head Start and that “it’s a great facility for it” and that using the existing building would avoid creating new impervious surface in the critical area.

Local residents and parish leaders spoke in support during the televised hearing. Joan Sullivan Cowan urged the board to “vote for this,” noting churches that repurpose facilities to serve youth, and Troy Cowan and Greg Seiler, priest in charge of All Saints Church, described community demand for early-childhood services in the Seventh District.

County staff reminded residents that the public comment period for this item remains open for seven days; comments can be emailed to csmc@stmaryscountymd.gov or mailed to PO Box 653, Leonardtown, Md. 20650. The commissioners closed the hearing on Sept. 9 but said they will withhold a final decision until after the comment period ends on Sept. 16.

The proposal is framed to address two county priorities: expanding access to early-childhood care where facilities and demand exist, and preserving the environmental protections intended by the RCA overlay by limiting any new construction. County staff and the applicant said they are prepared to participate in any required meetings with the Maryland Critical Area Commission as the amendment and local review proceed.

If approved in subsequent commission action, the amendment would be narrowly applied to existing buildings within the RCA; proponents emphasized that condition during the hearing as a balance between service delivery and critical-area protections.

The public hearing record will remain open until close of business on Sept. 16, 2025. The commissioners said they will consider any additional written comments and may schedule the item for decision at a later meeting.