St. Mary's County planning panel continues Bradley Brook hearings to Dec. 8 after Navy input

The St. Mary's County Planning Commission on Nov. 10 voted to continue two public hearings on the Bradley Brook townhouse project to Dec. 8, 2025, after county staff and a Navy letter raised scheduling and comment concerns.

Chris Longmore, speaking for the applicant, told the commission both items on the evening's agenda'the concept site plan (CSP24-0400) and the preliminary subdivision (MJSP25-0216)'relate to the same townhouse development and asked the hearings be postponed so the items could be considered together. "We're asking that the hearing be continued to that date and time," Longmore said, offering Nov. 17 as an initial option.

The commission noted a letter from the Department of the Navy arrived that day and that Navy staff might not be able to attend the earlier date because of government furloughs or closures. Commissioner Joe Van Kirk said a short delay to let agencies respond was reasonable given recent agency staffing issues: "I don't think that's too much to ask for in my opinion," Van Kirk said.

Deputy County Attorney John Sterling Hauser advised the commission on its authority to grant continuances, citing the county code: "So pursuant to, its CZO section 21.4 0.2 point d, the planning commission may grant a continuance on its own motion if that's what the planning commission deems proper and kind of prudent given the circumstances," Hauser said, explaining the commission's procedural options and vote threshold for continuances.

Longmore told the commission his client preferred an earlier date because of contractual obligations and the need to have engineers on hand, and noted that some written Navy comments were already part of the staff report. "My client would prefer to go forward in a week," Longmore said, but added his team would "make every effort to have everybody here" for the rescheduled hearing.

After discussion, the commission voted to continue both the concept site plan and the preliminary subdivision hearings to Dec. 8, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. in the commissioners' meeting room. The chair confirmed, "Mister Longmore, we'll see you on December 8." The record shows the commission took the procedural vote after receiving legal guidance and member input; the meeting minutes will reflect the formal continuance.

In other business the commission moved to approve the Oct. 27 minutes; a motion was made, seconded and the commission voiced approval on the record with an abstention noted by the chair.

The meeting concluded with a short civic-engagement moment: two scouts from Troop 303 were invited forward as part of a communication merit badge; commissioners explained how to sign up for public comment, the three-minute speaking limit and where recordings and agenda materials appear on BoardDocs and YouTube. The commission then voted to adjourn.