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.
The board voted 3-0 to approve the site plan for Evergreen at Cedar Lane, a proposed four-story building with a basement that would add senior housing on a vacant parcel within the existing Cedar Lane campus. The project still requires approval from the Leonardtown Town Council for variances related to building height and residential density before construction can proceed.
The project site, just under 2 acres, was annexed into the Town of Leonardtown in September 2024 following approval by the Town Council.
from concept design
Plans show a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments spread across the building's five levels. The lower level would contain five apartments, while the entry level would include 14 units. Seventeen apartments are planned for each of the three upper floors, bringing the total to 70 units. The building would also include office space, storage areas, laundry facilities and community gathering spaces.
According to project documents, the development exceeds the town's current zoning standards for both density and building height. Existing buildings on the Cedar Lane campus also do not conform to current zoning regulations because they were constructed before the current standards were adopted.
concept rendering
A letter submitted by the project's engineer argues that additional senior housing is needed in St. Mary's County, describing the demand as "a critical and growing need."
The development is being undertaken by Green Street Housing LLC, which has previously developed housing projects in Lexington Park. The company specializes in securing federal and state financing for affordable housing developments. Such funding applications typically require local approvals demonstrating that a project is positioned to move forward.
Cedar Lane’s expansion will be age and income restricted, providing affordable housing for seniors. The project is supported, in part, by a $1.5 million in federal funding secured by Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD).
site shown on planning documents
The proposed building would be located between the existing Cedar Lane parking lot and a neighboring residence along Cedar Lane Road.
The Cedar Lane campus currently consists of three residential buildings containing 195 units. The community expanded beyond its original footprint through additions completed in 1980 and 2002.
The project is the latest in a series of development activities along Cedar Lane Road, an area increasingly viewed as a future growth corridor for Leonardtown.
A residential property adjacent to the Cedar Lane campus was recently annexed into the town at the request of its owner. In October 2025, town officials approved the annexation of approximately 50 acres across Cedar Lane Road that were formerly part of Ellenborough Farm. While no development plans have been approved for that property, town officials have previously identified the area as suitable for future residential growth.
Construction is also underway on six homes in the Dogwood Subdivision at the intersection of Cedar Lane Road and Route 5. The site was once proposed for a Dollar General store, but the town denied that application, citing the presence of similar retail stores nearby.
The activity reflects long-term planning efforts by Leonardtown. The town's comprehensive plan identifies land along Cedar Lane Road extending to St. Johns Road as a future growth area where additional annexations could occur over time.
If approved by the Town Council, Evergreen at Cedar Lane would represent one of the largest additions to the Cedar Lane campus since its previous expansions and would increase the community's housing inventory to 265 units.
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