One of Lexington Park’s oldest businesses will be moving to a new location. The St. Mary’s County Planning Commission on Monday evening unanimously approved a concept site plan for a new facility for Taylor Gas Company. The new location won’t be very far from their current site. It will be across the street and a short distance away down Great Mills Road next to the nursing home.
The company owns the property at the new location and is currently using it for storage of empty gas tanks. The new location is almost four acres and will include offices, a maintenance building, vehicle storage, fuel sales and retail sales.
Company President Frank Taylor, son of the late company founder Francis Taylor, said the company has been in business in Lexington Park since 1950. “We are excited to be in the position to continue to grow in St. Mary’s County,” Taylor told the planning commission.
Taylor said the plan calls for a berm along the side of the property adjacent to the nursing home. Upon questioning from Planning Commission Vice Chairperson Shelby Guazzo, Taylor assured the planners that the berm will be planted with trees and vegetation. He said the berm was for aesthetics but Guazzo said it also would serve as a buffer for any noise generated on the property.
Taylor said propane gas is a very safe product. He said the four propane tanks at the new location would be the size of one of the tanks at their existing location. He said the property could accommodate two more tanks for a future expansion.
In enthusiastically supporting the new facility, Planning Commission Chairman Howard Thompson said, “Your business is one business that when you think about Lexington park you think of Taylor Gas.”
Taylor Gas Company received the 2011 Community Service Award from the St. Mary’s County Chamber of Commerce, presented for long and valued history of community support. Chamber President Chris Longmore presented the award to Taylor, who in turn praised his parents, Loretta and the late Francis Taylor, who founded the business in 1950.
Frank Taylor is a former chamber president and also was a former chairman of the planning commission.
