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Planning commission recommends Commercial Highway zoning for 16.35‑acre Hall parcel; town council hearing set for Dec. 8
Summary
The commission voted to recommend Commercial Highway zoning for David K. and Nancy L. Hall's 16.35‑acre annexation petition (Parcel 96). Staff said most of the tract is forest conservation with a limited developable frontage; concerns about traffic, permitted uses and a county five‑year development hold were raised. The proposal goes to the town council Dec. 8 for public hearing.
The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended that the town council consider a Commercial Highway zoning designation for a 16.35‑acre parcel owned by David K. and Nancy L. Hall (Leonardtown tax map 32, grid 14, parcel 96), after a staff presentation and a brief discussion of site constraints and traffic concerns.
"The property is Leonardtown Maryland tax map, 32, Grama 14, Parcel 96, and it's, 16.35 acre site," Speaker 1 said when introducing Case 39‑25. Staff told the commission the annexation petition was filed Sept. 6, 2025, and that no development plan had been submitted; staff recommended Commercial Highway zoning because adjacent parcels along the frontage are already CH and the parcel's developable area is limited by forest conservation and a septic reservation.
Commissioners asked why Commercial Highway was proposed rather than a different commercial category and raised practical concerns about traffic and access. Speaker 1 said, "I guess my question, I questioned the fact that it's commercial highway, because there's a lot of things that can go in under commercial highway," and noted the parcel lacks a left‑turn lane at its frontage. Staff responded that permitted uses such as medical and office are allowed in Commercial Highway and that any future development would require a traffic study and State Highway Administration access review.
Staff also explained a county/state caveat: while the county cannot block annexation, state law permits the county to require a five‑year delay on developing an annexed property in certain circumstances. Speaker 5 summarized site constraints, noting roughly 10 acres are in forest conservation, a 20‑foot strip is reserved for septic, and access to an existing house currently uses a 30‑foot easement.
Speaker 8 moved to recommend approval of the CH zoning designation for Parcel 96 in accordance with the 2025 comprehensive plan; the motion was seconded and verbal 'ayes' were recorded. The commission's recommendation will be considered by the town council at a public hearing on Dec. 8, when owners, neighbors and other members of the public may speak and submit written comments.
No formal development application accompanied the zoning recommendation; staff said detailed studies and a site plan will be required if and when a development proposal is filed.
