Public Hearing Draws Opposition To Proposed 431-Home Jacob’s Run Development In Lexington Park

LEXINGTON PARK, Md. — A proposed 431-home residential development in Lexington Park drew significant public opposition during a May 18 public hearing before the St. Mary’s County Planning Commission, as residents raised concerns about traffic congestion, school capacity, public safety and the overall character of the surrounding community.

The project, known as Jacob’s Run, would be constructed on approximately 168 acres at the end of Goldfinch Drive near Buck Hewitt Road and FDR Boulevard. The proposal includes 206 townhouse units and 225 single-family detached homes within the county’s Lexington Park Development District. According to county planning documents, the property is zoned High Intensity Mixed Use (MXH), where residential development is a permitted use.

Applicant K. Hovnanian Mid-Atlantic Division LLC submitted the concept site plan for review in August 2025. County planning staff determined the proposed density of approximately 2.57 dwelling units per acre falls within the zoning district’s allowable standards. The project would include more than 26 acres of usable open space, common recreational areas and more than 132 acres of landscaping and preserved areas, including forest conservation easements.

Traffic Concerns Dominate Public Comments

Much of the opposition centered on traffic conditions along Buck Hewitt Road, Oriole Drive, Goldfinch Drive and nearby sections of FDR Boulevard.

According to a traffic impact analysis prepared for the project, the development is expected to generate approximately 3,356 vehicle trips per day, including 262 trips during the morning peak hour and 343 trips during the evening peak hour.

The study concluded that all evaluated intersections would continue operating at acceptable levels of service and that no roadway improvements are required under county Adequate Public Facilities requirements. The report found intersections would continue operating at Level of Service C or better and that available turn-lane storage and intersection configurations would remain adequate.

Many residents disagreed with those conclusions.

Ann Jones, who said she has lived in the Victoria’s Grant neighborhood for nearly 30 years, urged commissioners to reject the proposal.

“This project is simply too large for our area and will create serious negative impacts,” Jones wrote. “Traffic in the area is already too heavy, and adding hundreds of new homes will only make the congestion worse.”

Aixa Imbach, another nearby resident, expressed similar concerns, stating that roads in the area are not designed to accommodate hundreds of additional homes.

“Adding 400-plus homes near our existing neighborhood would create serious strain on the community and overall quality of life,” Imbach wrote. She also cited concerns about traffic backups near FDR Boulevard and Three Notch Road.

Several residents specifically objected to the proposed primary access route through Goldfinch Drive and Oriole Drive, arguing that the existing neighborhood streets were not designed to serve a development of that size.

Residents Question School Capacity

School overcrowding emerged as another recurring theme during the public hearing.

Cody Walker wrote that local schools are already struggling with enrollment and staffing challenges.

“There is no way it can handle another 1,000-2,000 people that would come with the approximately 200 townhouses and approximately 200 houses planned,” Walker wrote. “Every high school is overpopulated, with no plans to build a new school or extension.”

Jones echoed those concerns, stating that local schools are already overcrowded and that additional families would place further strain on classrooms and teachers.

Infrastructure And Community Character

Other public comments focused on infrastructure, emergency services, environmental impacts and neighborhood compatibility.

Doris Lewis told the Planning Commission the proposal introduces “a level of density that is incompatible with the current infrastructure and safety conditions of our area.” She argued that the addition of more than 400 housing units would create lasting impacts on nearby communities and place additional burdens on roads and public services.

Kay Sullivan, whose property adjoins the development area, raised concerns about increased population density, traffic and the effect on neighboring residents’ quality of life.

“Although we understand the need for development and progress, it should not compromise established neighborhoods or jeopardize the safety and well-being of the residents therein,” Sullivan wrote.

Garry Lincoln also objected to the project’s scale, arguing that the proposed townhouses would significantly alter the appearance of the surrounding area and potentially affect nearby property values.

Environmental Review Still Required

County planning staff noted that portions of the project would affect regulated environmental features, including wetlands and stream buffers.

The proposal includes disturbance within a protected 50-foot wetland buffer, meaning the developer must obtain a variance from the Board of Appeals before moving forward. Additional approvals from the Maryland Department of the Environment and further environmental studies will also be required before final site plan approval can be granted.

State environmental reviewers also identified the property’s drainage area as habitat supporting rare aquatic species, including the state-listed endangered Ironcolor Shiner fish, and recommended environmentally sensitive stormwater design practices.

Planning Staff Recommendation

Despite significant public opposition, county planning staff concluded the concept site plan meets applicable zoning requirements, is consistent with the county Comprehensive Plan and may be served by adequate public facilities, including public water and sewer service. Staff also determined the project’s traffic analysis satisfies county Adequate Public Facilities requirements.

Following testimony from residents and review of the proposal, the Planning Commission voted to continue the public hearing until June 8 at 6:30 p.m., allowing additional time for review and consideration of the project. No final decision was made on the concept site plan during the May 18 meeting.

If ultimately approved, the Jacob’s Run project would still require additional reviews, environmental permits, subdivision approvals and engineering plans before construction could begin.

You can watch the full public hearing below.

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