Planning commission approves five-lot "Seneca Shores" subdivision at 121 Saint John Street

The Havre de Grace Planning Commission on Dec. 18 unanimously approved a five-lot preliminary subdivision for Trademark Custom Homes, a project the applicant calls "Seneca Shores," at 121 Saint John Street.

The commission opened the formal public hearing on Permit 2026-231 after receiving a staff report recommending approval under the city code. Planning Department staff told commissioners the application meets the requirements of the subdivision and zoning code and recommended the minor subdivision plan be approved with no additional conditions.

Trademark Custom Homes representative Clark Turner described the proposal and the propertythe former Asher warehouse siteas having a long railroad-and-ferry history. Turner said the plan calls for five low-density, single-family homes oriented to a 55-plus market, each with front-facing two-car garages, first-floor master suites and porches. The presentation emphasized design elements intended to fit downtown: brick signature sidewalks, stone walls, boulevard trees, bronze plaques interpreting site history and public art. Turner said the plan would reduce the site's impervious surface from 34,745 square feet to 16,437 square feet, a reduction the applicant estimated at about 53 percent, and would raise the taxable base from roughly $1.4 million to an estimated $6.5 million.

Commissioners and members of the public questioned the applicant on multiple design and access points. The applicant confirmed the houses will have in-ground basements (not walkouts) and said the rear ground would taper to preserve an open green space; that green area would be held and maintained by a homeowners association and not be public waterfront access. Turner said the applicant had coordinated with adjoining property owners about a small triangular parcel and expects a swap to straighten property lines.

A major part of the hearing focused on sidewalks and utilities. Several speakers urged the project to connect the new "signature sidewalk" to existing sidewalks and to maintain a continuous five-foot width. The applicant said it would underground utilities where feasible and either curve the sidewalk around utility poles or relocate poles to preserve the full sidewalk width; planning staff said any sidewalk accepted into the city right-of-way would need to meet Public Works and ADA standards.

Historic-interpretation requests came from the Havre de Grace Historic Preservation Commission and other speakers. Kathleen Lee, vice chair of the Historic Preservation Commission, urged historic markers or plaques and specifically asked that Frederick Douglass be included in interpretive materials; she cited the Maryland Historical Trust inventory (site HD-837) documenting the railroad ferry landing on what is now Pennington Avenue. Several residents praised removal of the existing warehouse and asked that surviving artifacts be documented or preserved.

Residents also raised traffic and safety concerns. Carol Zimmerman of Seneca Point Condominiums said five driveways onto Saint John Street, a local thoroughfare with summer marina traffic and angled parking, could create congestion and safety conflicts; staff responded driveway access must meet county road-code standards. Other commenters asked about demolition procedures and potential contaminants; Turner said an environmental report had been completed and that the demolition contractor would spray water to control dust.

After public comment, a commissioner moved to close the record. During deliberations, commissioners expressed general support for the design and for the applicant—s efforts to align the project with the city—s comprehensive plan. A motion to approve the site plan as presented passed on a roll-call vote: Janice Chan (Aye), Harry Miller (Yes), Randy Craig (Yes), Ed Girono (Yes), Farhat Shah (Yes) and Chair Volney Ford (Yes). The commission did not attach additional conditions to the approval.

The commission noted next steps include final engineering review and acceptance of any sidewalk into the city right-of-way by Public Works; plans must meet ADA and city requirements before the sidewalk is accepted. Turner said the applicant's engineers are available to coordinate on design and right-of-way details.

The hearing closed and the commission adjourned. The approved preliminary subdivision establishes lotting and site layout under city code; final permits and engineering approvals remain required before construction begins.