7-Eleven Possible in Leonardtown
A proposed 7-Eleven convenience store and gas station at the intersection of Route 5 and Moakley Street will be presented to the Leonardtown Town Council Monday, with town officials already raising concerns about traffic safety at the intersection.
Smithfields Apartments
The St. Mary’s County Planning Commission will review a concept site plan Sept. 14 for a 76-unit apartment complex on Hermanville Road that was originally approved nearly 19 years ago.
SMCPS Purchases Security Equipment
The St. Mary’s County Board of Education unanimously approved a $470,000 budget amendment Aug. 5 to redirect unused federal grant funding toward school security equipment and upgrades.
SMCPS Faces Rising Electric & Fuel Costs
Rising utility and snow removal costs prompted the St. Mary’s County Board of Education to unanimously approve a $931,859 budget amendment Aug. 5, including $689,144 in additional utility expenses as electricity and fuel costs have increased.
Sheriff’s Office Pursues Use of Automated License Plate Readers
St. Mary’s County is moving toward installing its first fixed automated license plate reader.
Planning Commission Recommends Comprehensive Plan
The St. Mary’s 2050 Comprehensive Plan is headed to the County Commissioners after the Planning Commission voted Aug. 3 to recommend approval, marking a major step in a revision process that has been underway for about two years.
Cannabis Funds Public Hearing
St. Mary's County commissioners are expected to make a final decision July 21 on an ordinance that would establish how more than $1.5 million in state cannabis reinvestment funding can be distributed — including allowing some of the money to be spent outside Lexington Park, the county's only state-designated disproportionately impacted area.
Planning Commission Reviews Seven Land Use Change Requests
The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing July 7 to receive public feedback on requests to change the land use designation of seven properties across St. Mary's County. If approved, the changes could expand development districts and increase allowable development density.
Comprehensive Plan - Draft Review
St. Mary's County is preparing for significant change over the next two decades.
Honoring History on Juneteenth
As communities across the nation prepare to celebrate Juneteenth, St. Mary’s County offers several opportunities to learn about and reflect on the contributions, struggles, and achievements of local African Americans whose impact continues to shape the community today.
County Reviews Zoning on Gas Stations, Dollar Stores
A proposed zoning change that would require new gas stations, small-box discount stores and vape shops to undergo additional public review is advancing to a public hearing after receiving preliminary approval from the St. Mary's County Commissioners.
Callaway Royal Farms (and more?)
Royal Farms is proposing a fourth location in St. Mary's County, with plans for a convenience store and gas station at the intersection of Route 5 and Route 249 in Callaway.
Cedar Lane To Expand
Plans to expand Cedar Lane Senior Living Community with a new 70-unit apartment building moved forward May 18 after the Leonardtown Planning and Zoning Board unanimously approved the project.
Leonardtown May Restore School Impact Fee
A proposed ordinance that would restore school impact fees on new residential development in Leonardtown remains pending after the Town Council postponed discussion of the measure during its May 11 meeting.
Town Denies Singletree Quadplex
The Leonardtown Town Council voted 3-2 on May 11 to deny a proposal for a four-unit residential building in the Singletree neighborhood, following a public hearing dominated by resident opposition over neighborhood compatibility and character.
Update: Hollywood Cannabis Growhouse
In January 2026, I wrote about a cannabis growhouse proposed in Hollywood based on an application filed on December 1 with Land Use & Growth Management. The project, located on about 89 acres owned by Hollywood Industrial Partners, LLC, is surrounded by residential properties to the north, and the Center for Life Enrichment to the south.
St. Mary’s Early Learning Academy
The St. Mary's County Commissioners approved a priority enrollment list on April 14 for the new St. Mary’s Early Learning Academy, a county-backed childcare center scheduled to open in August 2026 in Leonardtown.
One in Four Marylanders Can’t Vote in the Primary
If you’re registered as an Independent or Unaffiliated voter in Maryland, you won’t be able to vote in this June’s primary election. Here’s why—and what options you still have.
Bradley Brooke Appeal Denied
After two lengthy meetings, the Board of Appeals unanimously denied the proposed Bradley Brooke subdivision on April 23. The plan called for a 223-unit residential development off Willows Road. The Planning Commission previously denied the project in February.
Town Council Elections
Leonardtown’s municipal government is composed of a mayor and five Town Council members. Three council seats are up for election this year, with voting scheduled for May 5.