Leonardtown Zoning Board of Appeals members (l to r) Vice-Chairman Jerome DuVal, Bobby Wentworth, Chairman Herb Winnik, Darren Meyer and Joan Ritchie
Leonardtown, MD — The Leonardtown Board of Zoning Appeals has approved a density bonus for the controversial Hamptons of Leonardtown apartment project that allows for two four-story buildings. But the approval Monday contained three conditions, one of which could be a stumbling block for the developer’s wishes to have four stories instead of three for the two buildings and increase the number of two- and three-bedroom units from 119 to 142.
The most controversial aspect of the project has been its one entrance and exit onto Route 5 opposite Academy Hills. The town had urged the developer to seek a second access on Fenwick Street. That quest reached a major stumbling block because it would have required securing a right of way over land owned by neighboring Foxwell Condominium Owners Association. Their members voted against that on two separate occasions.
In the meantime, the planning commission recommended and the town council approved the two three-story buildings with the 119 units even though there was persistent concern about just the one entrance and hopes for the second entrance.
Newly adopted town regulations required appeals board approval for a fourth floor.
The appeals board applied the condition for the second access point after developer Farhad Saba of the Waldorf-based Saba Group, LLC told them there was a glimmer of hope that an access could be secured without needing Foxwell Condominium land. That would require approval from the Maryland Critical Area Commission from crossing a stream. Leonardtown Town Manager Laschelle McKay said the town would make that application.
The town has contended there would be benefits for getting the fourth floor. Saba has agreed to add additional amenities, including an elevator in each building, plus a recreation center that could be used free of charge by all town residents. A pool would also be constructed for the use only of the apartment complex renters.
Another condition imposed by the appeals board was approval by the state of the Route 5 access point. That may only be a formality since that access is already been approved. What the state would do after a traffic study is impose requirements to mitigate the additional traffic, such as acceleration and deceleration lanes, or possibly even a traffic light at the developer’s expense. Saba said he would have to look at the economics should that requirement be imposed.
The board’s third contingency was that the project provided appropriate visual buffer for Academy Hills across the street.
Board Vice Chairman Jerome DuVal originally balked at an amendment by member Joan Ritchie requiring the second access point on Fenwick Street and voted against that amended motion but ultimately went along with the other members in the unanimous vote with the three conditions.
Saba says the project would bring an upscale community to town with apartment units that are not now available. He said the rental price for the two-bedroom apartments would be around $1,600, with the three-bedroom units going more than $2,000 monthly.
The developer said the project with four stories would cost $25 million and the economics were not there with three stories to provide the amenities he would like to offer.
There has been support for the project from several council members who feel that having that many residents close to downtown would spur development when for the first time in many years there are vacant store fronts and buildings, including the former First National Bank of St. Mary’s.
Saba told the appeals board members that at the very least he would be able to provide a walking path from the development to Fenwick Street so that the residents could get to downtown.
But at several public hearings, including the appeals board hearing, residents of Foxwell Condominiums and Academy Hills opposed the project, and the fourth floors, because of added traffic and change to the wooded view they now have.
Roger Mattingly, who lives in Foxwell, said that at the meeting at which the vote was taken, 18 opposed it and only five supported the project. Mattingly, a member of the Leonardtown VFD, said the project would impact their response time. “This is not a good idea to add a fourth floor with one way in and one way out,” he said.
Patricia Cheseldine, president of the condo association, said of the project, speaking for herself, “I do not see the need and have not seen the statistical data for the need.” She said there are plenty of existing apartment units available throughout the county.
Brandon Farthing, who lives in Academy Hills, said he didn’t want to be a person who shouted “Not in my backyard.” He said, however, what Academy Hills residents have repeatedly contended: it is difficult now for them to make a left hand turn heading south during morning rush hour. The project, which would be twice the size of Academy Hills, he said, would make the situation unbearable.
Although no one spoke in support of the fourth floors at the appeals board meeting, several people did speak in support of the project at the town’s public hearing: Robin Finnacom, who is the county’s acting economic development director, and Joe Orlando, vice president of the Leonardtown Business Association. Finnacom said, “Housing drives business.” She added, “It would provide quality housing in a walkable community.”
Several of the appeals board members are newly appointed. The board rarely meets, although board chairman Herb Winnik has 30 years’ experience on the board.