Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the County 2050 Plan topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Candidate and residents urge delay of St. Mary's County '2050' plan adoption until after election
Summary
A county commission candidate and multiple residents urged commissioners to postpone a planned summer vote on the St. Mary’s County 2050 comprehensive plan, arguing public outreach was insufficient and warning of infrastructure and school-capacity problems tied to increased density allowances.
Residents and a commissioner candidate asked the Board of County Commissioners to delay a planned adoption vote on the county's 2050 plan until after voters select new commissioners.
Joshua Kite (S12), who said he is running for the District 3 commission seat, called the plan "a 25 year plan" and warned it "is going to shape every land use decision in this county through 2050." He told the forum the county's outreach reached only a small fraction of residents and urged postponing the adoption vote until after the November election so newly elected officials can weigh in.
Kite criticized portions of the plan that allow higher residential density in designated town centers, noting the plan permits "up to 5 homes per acre" in some locations and arguing that infrastructure, schools and water utilities were not adequately planned or funded to support that growth. He cited examples including Leonardtown High, which he said was built for about 1,700 students but now enrolls nearly 2,100.
Other speakers, including Renny Perdue and Susan Ross, questioned whether Piney Point should be treated like other town centers given its critical-area restrictions, low-lying geography and reliance on well water.
No formal vote was taken at the forum. The commission president said staff and department heads were listening and would follow up with residents who provided contact information.
