LEONARDTOWN, Md. — The St. Mary’s County Planning Commission unanimously approved a concept site plan for a new stand-alone Dunkin’ Donuts fast-food restaurant in California, Md., following a brief presentation and public discussion during the commission’s regularly scheduled meeting Monday.
The 1,861-square-foot building, proposed for 45315 Alton Lane within the Laurel Glen shopping area, will include more than 700 square feet of outdoor seating, drive-thru access, and replaces the current Dunkin’ Donuts in an underused section of the shopping center’s existing parking lot. The site is in the Lexington Park Development District, a zone targeted for high-density, mixed-use growth.
“This is a win-win situation,” Planning Commission Chairman Howard Thompson said after the vote. “If you go by that [existing] Dunkin’ in the early mornings, you know it’s [traffic is] a mess. This project improves safety, access, and the shopping center overall.”
The applicant, Anthony Oleksan, who represented Shanri Holdings Corp., noted the new location would not only streamline drive-thru operations but also help revitalize the shopping center.
“It’s a pretty cut-and-dried project,” Oleksan told the commission. “We’ve been working closely with the shopping center’s owner and tenants to coordinate the redevelopment. There’s plenty of room to do this right, and it’ll benefit both customers and businesses.”
The 6-0 vote to approve came after planning staff confirmed the site plan complies with requirements for landscaping, off-street parking, resource protection, and utility access. The development does not affect any sensitive environmental areas, and no formal traffic study is required, as the project is projected to generate fewer than 50 peak-hour trips, according to planning documents. A condition of approval includes completing road improvements concurrently with the issuance of the certificate of occupancy.
The commission also stated in its motion to approve that this project aligns with Section 60.6 of the St. Mary’s County Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance and promotes the health, safety, and welfare of the general public.
The project underwent review by multiple agencies, including the Maryland Department of Transportation and the St. Mary’s County Metropolitan Commission. The development also aligns with the St. Mary’s County Comprehensive Plan’s vision for walkable, service-oriented growth in urban nodes.
The St. Mary’s County Planning Commission meeting, held in the Chesapeake Building in Leonardtown on May 12, 2025, was open to the public and streamed live on SMCG Channel 95 and YouTube. No public objections were raised during the hearing, and county staff received no formal opposition during the public comment period, which closed May 9.
Construction is expected to begin later this year, pending final permitting and coordination with county and state agencies.
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