Approved: Home Depot
Long Awaited Competition Arrives
St. Mary’s Countians have heard rumors that Home Depot could build a store in the area, but now that prospect has become more official. The Planning Commission, after a comparatively short review, approved the retail store unanimously. But the decision didn’t come without a few concerns from board members about traffic safety, and comments from the public worried about impacts to local businesses.
Attorney Chris Longmore, representing the project, told the Planning Commission (PC) that the planned unit development, known as Oak Crest, was approved by the county commissioners in 1990. The land fronting 235, including Home Depot’s location, was added to the PUD in 2021. To mitigate additional traffic impacts of the increased buildout, developer St. Johns Properties agreed to complete a third lane on 235 from Bollywood Masala to Route 4. So far, only the northern portion of that lane is complete. The final leg is designed and financed, but installation is required until traffic counts reach a specific level.
Customers may access Home Depot via two entrances off Oak Crest Drive, or through a right-in/right-out entrance along 235. That entrance, said PC member Connor Loughran, might be busier with drivers looking to avoid turning left across multiple lanes of traffic on Oak Crest. If true, traffic along the access road between Royal Farms and Chipotle could be significant. According to the traffic study all intersections would operate at acceptable levels. Loughran suggested Home Depot “take care of its neighbors” and look at further traffic mitigation–like a roundabout–on Oak Crest Drive.
A total of 451 parking spaces are for customer use, with another 41 reserved for outdoor displays of mulch, trailers, sheds, and more. Home Depot believes the amount of parking is adequate to serve their customers and employees. The director of Land Use & Growth Management is expected to sign a parking waiver, permitting the store to have less parking than required by county zoning laws. It was estimated the retail store would bring up to 125 jobs to the county.
Concept Rendering
Four people spoke during public testimony. One spoke about traffic issues accessing the retail store, comparing it to other shopping centers with difficult ingress/egress. Two others were concerned about Home Depot putting a local hardware store, like Dyson’s or Dean’s, out of business. One speaker was in favor of the store, welcoming a competitor to nearby Lowes.
Home Depot brings a different type of service compared to local businesses, a point noted by both Longmore and PC Chair Howard Thompson. Customers will choose to shop based on their needs. The project had everything in order, said commission members, who also noted excitement in the community for this project. They voted 7-0 to approve.
