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Board approves removal of 38 specimen trees for planned assisted-living complex in Prince Frederick
Summary
The Board of Appeals granted a forest-conservation variance allowing removal of 38 specimen trees at 25 Armory Road to construct an assisted-living/memory-care facility and cottages; applicants said the site constraints and redesigns made the variance necessary and proposed off-site easements and stormwater measures to offset impacts.
The Calvert County Board of Appeals unanimously approved a forest-conservation variance on March 6 enabling the removal of 38 specimen trees at 25 Armory Road to make way for an assisted-living and memory-care facility and associated age-restricted cottages. Attorney Steve Oberg and applicant representatives told the board the development fits town-center goals and responds to a county shortage of senior housing.
Doug Cooper of SHA Capital Partners (S14) described an 86-unit assisted-living and memory-care project (about 62 assisted-living and 24 memory-care units) with roughly 50–55 full-time-equivalent employees and a rental (not entry-fee) business model. Principal engineer Joe Kajewski (S15) explained that the 22.18-acre property includes steep slopes, wetlands and priority forest areas; he said multiple plan iterations reduced the footprint and limited disturbance while preserving 58 specimen trees on site. The applicant team proposed more than the minimum forest-conservation replacement and a suite of stormwater and micro–bioretention measures to protect downstream waters.
A board member summarized findings of fact citing special site conditions (topography and limited buildable area), minimal adjustment after three redesigns, and steps to protect water quality. The motion to grant the variance included conditions that the developer meet county permitting, implement the planned forest-conservation easement and follow stormwater-management requirements. The board closed the record and approved the variance unanimously.
