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County official urges limits on clusters of gas stations, vape shops in zoning amendment
Summary
A committee member said a proposed zoning amendment for gas stations aims to guide the county way from concentrated clusters of gas stations, vape shops and discount retailers, citing traffic and local economic goals; a public-hearing comment flagged that "dollar stores aren't really dollar stores anymore."
A committee member at a St. Mary's County meeting urged the county to use a proposed zoning amendment to discourage clusters of gas stations, vape shops and discount retail stores near major intersections, saying the change is not intended to strip property owners of their rights. "It's not to take away anybody's property rights or anything like that," the committee member said.
The official framed the amendment as an effort to shape the county's economic development toward employers that create career paths, and to reduce traffic problems tied to dense retail nodes. They recounted a comment made during a public hearing: "the dollar stores aren't really dollar stores anymore," and said residents question whether such retail represents the economic development the county needs.
Supporters and critics alike have raised traffic and quality-of-life concerns; the committee member said the county should avoid situations with "4 of 1 type of business on 4 corners of an intersection" because of congestion and driving-safety impacts. There was no formal vote or motion in the remarks; the item was presented and discussed for consideration at a later agenda step.
