St. Mary's County adopts ordinance accepting Preston Court; requires developer safety markings at Morgan Road intersection

St. Mary's County commissioners on Jan. 6 adopted an ordinance accepting the current configuration of the Preston Court and Morgan Road intersection and directed staff to seek formal acceptance of Preston Court into the county road system after the developer installs specified safety elements.

John Norris, director of Public Works and Transportation, told the board there were numerous public comments about drivers failing to recognize the stop sign at the intersection. He said staff asked the developer to paint a stop bar at the intersection and recommended painting a double yellow centerline for at least 200 feet from the urban cross section and replacing yield signs with 'watch for turning vehicles' signage.

A commissioner moved to direct staff to return to the board for acceptance of Preston Court and establishment of speed limits contingent on three actions by the developer: painting a center line for a minimum of 200 feet from the intersection with Morgan Road; painting a stop bar at the Preston Court–Morgan Road intersection; and installing a stop-ahead sign at the applicable distance. The motion was seconded and discussed; commissioners agreed the measures would help with driver awareness.

The board also voted to approve an ordinance accepting the intersection's current configuration. Commissioners debated the history of the planned design—Norris said the approved plan dates to 2012 and a later developer deviated from that design—but then voted by voice to adopt the ordinance and to require the traffic markings and sign.

The motions passed by voice vote; the board recorded no roll-call tally in the meeting transcript. Commissioners said staff will return with the formal road-acceptance item after the developer completes the agreed improvements.