The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County (Photo courtesy of St. Mary’s County Government)..
Leonardtown, MD — The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County have received an expensive gift horse. The commissioners Aug. 4 inked a deal in which they will receive a donation of 248 acres on St. Andrews Church Road (Route 4). The land could be used as a school site.
The donation by St. Mary’s Crossing, LLC is of land approved for 789 single-family, townhouse and apartment units. Construction had not begun on the project although the entrance off St. Andrews Church Road has been built.
The developer, a subsidiary of Curtis Investments, will receive a significant tax benefit for the land appraised at $8.8 million. It is not known if there was any other reason for the donation other than the tax benefit. A call to Curtis principal Frank Mazza at his Prince Frederick office was not returned. Curtis is also the developer of the Woods at Myrtle Point in St. Mary’s County and Oak Tree Landing in Calvert County.
In presenting the proposal, County Attorney George Sparling said, “It seems to be a win/win situation. Certainly the price is right.” Sparling said the only downside would be the loss of tax revenue which he estimated at $88,000 a year.”
Commissioner Todd Morgan [R – 4th District] said, “We might be losing $88,000 in revenue but if we would have to purchase this type of property for future use it would cost a lot more than $88,000.”
Later in the commissioners meeting during a discussion of a policy on budget fund balances, Commissioner Mike Hewitt [R – 2nd District] said, “Between the Hayden property (in Leonardtown) and this site we may not need to buy school sites for a while.” Hewitt said that savings could be put towards the budget fund balance. The commissioners voted to have that balance be a minimum of 15 percent of the overall budget.
Contact Dick Myers at dick.myers@thebaynet.com