La Plata, MD – The Maryland Airport near Indian Head has an interesting history.
The small airport near Route 224 and Bumpy Oak Road is a relief valve for smaller flights from Reagan International Airport.
Built before World War II, its earliest runways were built by German prisoners.
The Maryland Airport Land Use Study came out of the county’s comprehensive plan process. During a Dec. 1 presentation the Charles County Commissioners heard about the land use study and recommendations for the facility.
“The commissioners approved a breakout study to take a look at the facility and to make land-use changes in the comprehensive plan for land around the airport,” said Clyde Graham, a consultant for the airport.
Graham said there has been a significant investment by the federal government of “$20 to $30 million” to assist with the expansion of the facility.
“The study suggests a height limit north and south of the runway with noise contours,” he stated. “What we found in some of the documents was that high levels of noise are really restricted to the airport. There will be some sound outside of the airport, but that will have minimal impact.
“In our opinion, the airport is pretty well protected,” Graham added. “Most of the area around the airport is designated for employment use preferred to the airport. A lot of it is protected land. Residential areas are fairly small. The impact area of Bryans Road is a good distance away. There is a lot of undeveloped land around the airport.”
Graham indicated that property included 2,500 acres including sensitive areas around Mattawoman Creek and the Indian Head Rail Trail.
“There is a water line the airport is not connected to, but will connect to in the future,” he added. “The capacity going back to the undeveloped land is quite large. We did not see a justification to expand to development.”
Graham said they were asking for overlay zone to go out from three miles from the runway for tall structures, and requested an amendment to the zoning ordinance that any proposals for tall buildings be referred to the Maryland Aviation Administration.
“We think it would be wise to add a notification to potential buyers that there is an airport,” he continued.
There is a deferred development district, but he added the comprehensive plan suggests changing that to a watershed conservation district.
“The southern part of the airport is more environmentally sensitive,” he said. “Land closer to [Route] 210 would have more potential for development. We expect those recommendations to be incorporated into the comprehensive plan,” he said.
“I’ve been shouting from the rooftops what an asset the airport is to the county,” said Charles County District 2 Commissioner Debra Davis. “I’m glad to have the affirmation that that’s what you found in your research. I see all of these assets and am proud the county commissioners support the recommendation.”
Contact Joseph Norris at joe.norris@thebaynet.com