Neighbors raise concerns as cannabis operator eyes former Hollywood wood‑treating site; appeals hearing expected
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Summary
A proposed cannabis operation at the former Hollywood wood‑treating (creosote) Superfund site prompted neighbor concern and a planned board of appeals hearing; an unidentified speaker also flagged a county Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund of about $1.2 million that officials say is awaiting Office of Social Equity guidance.
An unidentified speaker urged residents to attend a public forum and a forthcoming board of appeals hearing after a company proposed converting the former Hollywood wood‑treating plant — a site the speaker described as a past Superfund remediation location and a brownfield — into a cannabis production facility.
"The people who will own it don't live in Saint Mary's County, they live in Prince George's County, and they're gonna be coming down here doing this operation," the speaker said, adding, "They should do it up in Prince George's County." The speaker said neighbors around the former creosote plant are "very upset." No hearing date had been set in the remarks.
The speaker also raised questions about the county's Office of Social Equity and a Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund tied to cannabis licensing and taxes. The speaker reported the fund as roughly $1,204,000 and said county staff have held off disbursing money while the Office of Social Equity clarifies who is eligible to apply.
The speaker said the Office of Social Equity had discussed prioritizing areas with high historic concentrations of cannabis‑related convictions, noting Lexington Park (zip code 20653) as an example, and also mentioned low‑income neighborhoods as possible eligible areas. According to the remarks, the eligibility criteria and application process have been delayed from earlier target months and remain unresolved ahead of the next budget cycle.
The speaker urged that, during the coming budget process, officials develop an application process so community groups in affected areas can apply for grants from the fund. The remarks did not identify the company proposing the cannabis operation or provide a hearing date for the board of appeals.
What happens next: the speaker said a board of appeals hearing will be the first formal step and encouraged residents to follow local notices and social media for the hearing date and details. The transcript did not record any county staff response or a formal proposal text; no votes or formal actions were taken in the remarks recorded here.
