LA PLATA, Md. — The Charles County Board of Commissioners received an update Tuesday, April 29, 2025, on the Magnolia Gardens project, a key affordable housing development supported through a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement.
Luke Patton, senior real estate development manager with Enterprise Community Development, briefed the commissioners during their regular legislative session. Patton noted that Magnolia Gardens would not have been possible without the board’s prior approval of the PILOT program, which provides critical financial support to develop and maintain affordable housing.
Located at 6014 Washington Ave. in La Plata, Magnolia Gardens is a newly completed apartment complex offering 72 units, including a mix of affordable and market-rate one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. Construction began in fall 2023 and was completed by winter 2024-2025. By March 2025, more than 90 percent of the units were occupied.
During the original PILOT discussion, representatives from the town of La Plata were unable to attend the commissioners’ session but provided a letter updating the board on the project’s progress. Despite mixed views, the commissioners ultimately approved the PILOT agreement in a 3-2 vote.
During the update, Commissioner Amanda Stewart raised a series of questions about the applicant requirements for Magnolia Gardens. She stated she had been contacted by a resident who reported being denied housing at the property due to an extreme level of charge-offs on their credit report. Stewart requested clarification on how credit issues are evaluated during the leasing process, how denials are determined and what overall eligibility standards are applied. Patton responded that he would follow up with the leasing team and provide Stewart with the full criteria used for tenant screening and denials.
Magnolia Gardens has been successful in leasing units to Charles County’s workforce. Of the 65 affordable units, 61 units are occupied by individuals who work in Charles County. Among these, 42 units are leased to county employees, including teachers, police officers, firefighters, 911 operators and school bus drivers. The leasing preference applies to affordable units only and does not extend to the complex’s seven market-rate units.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the project’s completion is scheduled for Tuesday, May 7, 2025, at 10 a.m.
To learn more about the Magnolia Gardens development and its financing background, visit The BayNet’s full coverage here.
The PILOT program, widely used across Maryland, enables developers to make negotiated payments instead of traditional property taxes, promoting affordable housing projects (learn more about PILOT programs here).
Contact our news desk at news@thebaynet.com
