A large automotive dealership in Calvert County is about to get larger. During the Wednesday, March 19 meeting of the Calvert County Planning Commission, the various phases of the Bayside Auto Group ambitious expansion strategy were discussed.
“There is going to be a real change in Prince Frederick when they are developed,” said Bill Pittman of the Department of Community Planning and Development. “This is a very complicated project,” said Planning Commission Administrator Yolanda Hipski. “It’s being done in three phases.”
Currently, the site, which is at the northernmost edge of the Prince Frederick Town Center at the southbound Route 2/4 – Auto Drive intersection, includes two buildings—one 11,088-square foot structure and another that is 9.788 square feet. The first phase of the project will be to construct a new 19,367 square foot service building.
The project’s second phase will be to remove the existing building at the site that is located closest to Route 2/4 and replace it with a 13,409 square foot building. That new structure will include an indoor display area, offices and service facilities.
The third phase will be to renovate the existing building, expanding it to 15,468 square feet.
Bayside Auto Group has already obtained setback reductions from the planning commission and the Calvert County Department of Economic Development has requested the project be “fast-tracked.” It was noted in the staff report that the dealership provided the county with the needed rights-of-ways for the development of Auto Drive and Prince Frederick Boulevard. The site plan includes additional parking for customers and staff and plantings for the 6-acre site’s buffer areas.
The planning commission also reviewed Bayside Auto Group’s site plan for a “pre-owner dealership” for the west side of the parcel. That tract is located across from the Edward T. Hall Aquatic Center.
In response to a question by Planning Commission Chairman Maurice Lusby about stormwater management for the site, C.O.A. Inc. consultant Dan Kelsh stated that a regional system services that segment of the town center.
Lingering issues still to be addressed include designs for the dealership’s outdoor display pads and brick paver sidewalks.
Another dealership project—for Prince Frederick Ford, had been on the March 19 agenda for town center architectural approval, but was deferred until April, pending the completion of staff’s report.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com
