A plan to build a discount store in Lusby cleared a huge hurdle Tuesday, Jan. 28 when the Calvert County Commissioners unanimously approved an amendment change to the county’s Comprehensive Water and Sewer Plan.
The proposed 8,240-square foot Family Dollar store is planned for the Lusby Town Center’s Neighborhood Village district, an area where public sewer will not be available for at least a decade. The project applicants admitted the plan was in jeopardy during the Oct. 16 meeting of the Calvert County Planning Commission.
The dilemma stemmed from the likelihood the parcel could not pass a perc test—thus allowing for a private septic system—and the exorbitant cost of connecting to the Solomons Town Center sewerage system that services other commercial customers within the Lusby Town Center. “Upon investigation, it was discovered that the Lusby Town Square Shopping Center has a private sewer system which is connected into the county system, but the sewer category of the parcel needed to be changed.”
Water and Sewer Division Chief Wayne Raither and Principal Planner Patricia Haddon stated in a memo to the commissioners. During their December meeting, the planning commission deemed the sewer category change was consistent with the county’s Comprehensive Plan. Commission Chairman Maurice Lusby sent a letter to the Maryland Department of the Environment, noting the panel’s opinion.
The Jan. 28 hearing on the proposed change from S-5 to S-3 drew no comments from the public. Prior to the vote to close the public record and approve the recommended text amendment, Commissioner Gerald W. “Jerry” Clark [R] stated the action was proof the Calvert County Department of Community Planning and Building and the county commissioners could be “business friendly,” since the project could not happen without the amendment.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com
