The Leonardtown Town Council has approved a concept plan for the proposed Hamptons project on Fenwick Street. The plan was approved on a 4-1 vote, with Councilman Roger Mattingly voting against. The approval was for two, three-story buildings containing 119 rental units.
The developer, the Saba Group, LLC of Waldorf is seeking a fourth floor on each building which would increase the density to 142 units. That will have to receive approval by the Leonardtown Board of Appeals. The town council, however, recommended to the appeals board that they approve that variance.
At a public hearing Monday during the town council’s regular monthly meeting, there was support for and opposition to the project. The main concerns center on the proposed entrance to the project. At this point the only guaranteed entrance is off Route 5, across from Academy Hills.
The developer is seeking a second entrance off Fenwick Street and the county supports that effort. The problem is that the land proposed to be used for that new road is owned by the Foxwell Condominium Association, next to the project. At the public hearing Association President Pat Cheseldine said that company president Farhad Saba met with the association on July 2 but that no formal request had been made. She said that would have to happen before a decision by her association could be reached.
But Cheseldine left the clear impression that her development did not favor the idea and she said she was personally opposed to it. She said a number of issues needed to be addressed before a decision could be made by the condominium owners. Issues to be resolved include the location and extent of the buffer between the two projects and the amount of parking for a proposed pool and recreation center
Judy Mattingly, another condominium owner, said she didn’t believe the project was Smart Growth, as asserted in a hearing before the planning commission. She said rental apartments were not needed in town. And, she said the downtown really offered nothing, with the sidewalks rolling up at 5 p.m.
When the Route 5 bypass was constructed the owner of the property was guaranteed an access to Route 5. But Academy Hills resident Brandon Farthing said getting out of his development is a chore in the morning for those making a left-hand turn. He said the additional homes in the Hamptons would exacerbate an already failed road situation.
Other speakers expressed concerns about the impact on schools and other roads within town if the Fenwick Street entrance was obtained.
Norman Norris pointed out the overall problems along Route 5 in town. He said, “Let’s get the road fixed first before we put another 200 cars there.”
There was support for the project from Robin Finnacom, who is the county’s acting economic development director, and Joe Orlando, vice president of the Leonardtown Business Association.
Finnacom said “housing drives business.” She said of the project, “It would provide quality housing in a walkable community.”
Orlando said, “What make downtowns successful are the businesses.” He added, “I see this proposal as a real positive thing.”
Mattingly, in voting against the project, noted that there were only two supporters in the audience and that everyone he had talked to was opposed to it. “The community is concerned about traffic on Route 5,” he said.
Mayor Dan Burris clarified that the town would not conside
