108-Townhouse Development Proposed Along FDR Boulevard In California, MD

CALIFORNIA, Md. — A concept development plan has been submitted for a proposed 108-unit townhouse community along FDR Boulevard near Chancellors Run Road in California.

The Founders Point Subdivision is proposed for 22674 and 22684 FDR Boulevard in St. Mary’s County’s Eighth Election District.

Good Ol Boys Properties LLC is listed as the property owner. C. Jay Hopson of J. Hopson Consulting LLC is identified as the engineer and project contact.

The proposal covers two adjoining vacant parcels totaling approximately 15.06 acres. The plans list one parcel at 12.28 acres and the second at 2.78 acres.

The property is zoned Mixed-Use High-Intensity. County review records classify the site as W-1 for existing public water service and S-6D for potential future sewer service.

Each six-unit building is listed at approximately 5,544 square feet and a maximum height of about 40 feet.

One general note on the plan references 112 units, but the building count, parking calculations, utility estimates and county review documents consistently use 108 units. The submitted layout therefore supports the 108-unit total.

The townhouses would be arranged along a network of internal streets between FDR Boulevard and Chancellors Run Road.

County calculations require two spaces for each of the 108 homes, or 216 spaces. The plan would provide 25 spaces beyond that minimum.

The project is projected to generate approximately 633 vehicle trips on an average day, including about 60 trips during the peak hour.

The drawings also show sidewalks, internal intersections, landscaped areas and street trees throughout the community.

Chancellors Run Road Access Requires Further Review

The Maryland State Highway Administration determined that the proposal does not include a new entrance onto a state-maintained road.

However, the development would increase traffic using the existing driveway at Chancellors Run Road.

SHA also identified possible grading impacts within its right-of-way near MD 237 and a pair of drainage pipes. The applicant must submit a formal project package for additional state review.

That determination does not represent final water or sewer construction approval.

MetCom said the developer must submit full utility construction plans, applicable fees and supporting review materials. A portion of the proposed water main must also be upsized to 12 inches to accommodate the relocation of an existing 12-inch main.

A water study will be required to demonstrate that the system can meet minimum requirements for household use and firefighting flow.

The concept plan estimates combined water and sewer demand at approximately 27,000 gallons per day, based on 250 gallons per day for each townhouse.

MetCom said the additional sewage flow may require upgrades to the existing pump station. Flow testing will be necessary to determine whether the station has adequate capacity for the full 108-unit development.

The reviews do not confirm that final sewer capacity is currently available.

The district said the project proposes disturbance to nontidal wetlands and wetland buffers, requiring authorization from the Maryland Department of the Environment.

One or more proposed stormwater structures may also require MDE small-pond approval before the Soil Conservation District can grant final concept-level stormwater approval.

The plans show several stormwater-management areas and a wet pond near FDR Boulevard. Drainage and outfall designs must comply with county stormwater, grading, sediment and erosion-control requirements.

The concept plan states that the property is outside the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area. The plans also identify mapped flood-hazard considerations on the property, requiring additional engineering review as the proposal advances.

The utility also identified a gas regulator station within the proposed limit of disturbance on the northern side of the property.

The developer will need to coordinate with Washington Gas and obtain detailed mapping before advancing utility and grading plans.

The electric cooperative will require public utility easements at least 10 feet wide along both sides of proposed roads and alleys. Those easements must remain clear of stormwater facilities, landscaping, sidewalks and other obstructions.

Additional electrical-service plans, load information and easements will be required before SMECO installs infrastructure to serve the development.

Elementary enrollment was evaluated within the applicable northern or southern attendance zone, while middle and high school impacts were calculated countywide.

The concept submission and MetCom’s concept-stage clearance do not mean the development has received final site-plan, utility or construction approval.

The applicant must still address utility capacity, wetlands, stormwater management, road impacts, grading, easements and other technical requirements.

Infrastructure upgrades and plan revisions could be required before final approval and construction permits are issued.

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