Kingston Crossing, a thirty-six unit townhome development, was approved by the Planning Commission on March 23. At the corner of Myrtle Point Rd and Patuxent Boulevard in California, the neighborhood is slated for a 7.45 acre parcel zoned as residential low density. The developer is required to purchase twenty-nine transferable development rights to increase the base density per acre to achieve thirty-six total residences.

Each unit is sold on its own lot, with all lots totaling 1.86 acres of the overall parcel. Overall open space totals 4.84 acres, but 2.25 acres of that remains undeveloped and wooded. The undeveloped open space is less than the amount required by the county’s zoning ordinance, but because the neighborhood will contain up to six units of “workforce housing” the developer is permitted to request a reduction. Plans state that useable open space includes front, side and rear yards on each lot, off-lot open space bordering townhouses, a centrally located recreational field, and parking lot islands.

Thirteen guest parking spots are provided. For units with a two car garage, the developer figured 2.5 total spaces (two driveway and half in the garage), units with a one car garage have one parking space (total of 6), for a combined total of 89 parking spaces in the development.

A school bus shelter is provided on the side of the neighborhood nearest to Myrtle Point Road, with a sidewalk connecting to the road. Planning documents state approximately 8 elementary, 4 middle, and 6 high school students may live in the development. The Planning Commission was pleased with the addition of the bus stop given that the interior neighborhood roads will remain private and school buses will only travel on public roads.

*Open space exhibit from planning documents*

The centrally located recreation area will have a playground and benches, while a smaller area to the north of the development, near a stormwater manager pond, will have benches and dog waste receptacles.

Planning Commission members confirmed that the neighborhood’s HOA would be responsible for maintaining the stormwater management areas, a subject that has been raised as an issue with some existing developments throughout the county. While the developer couldn’t confirm a price point, they did say that the six workforce housing units will be obligated to meet a certain price point. The county’s Comprehensive Plan, considered as the Commissioner’s “workforce housing policy,” defines workforce housing as “affordable to families earning 45% to 110% of the County’s median household income. In 2024, the median household income was roughly $120,000, meaning the workforce housing range would be $54,000-$132,000.

John O’Connell III, whose company Clearbrook Lane LLC owns the property, also owns the historic Clearbrook Farm next door. O’Connell, and developer Frank Daskievige, stressed their attention to detail with these designs, with O’Connell recognizing that he would drive by the development regularly because of his farm next door.

An adequate public facilities report from the county’s department of Public Works & Transportation stated that no traffic study was required because the development will generate less than fifty peak hour trips. Overall, the report found 211 daily trips would be added to the area. Despite this, Daskievige ran traffic numbers based on studies for nearby the Myrtle Point Woods development layering a five percent increase in to provide a conservative estimate that showed nearby intersections operated at a level of service A.

Public comments were mixed, with several people expressing concerns about clearing trees near the critical area, increased sediment runoff into nearby waterways, and people speeding along Patuxent Boulevard. One speaker said he came to the meeting “adamantly opposed” to the plans, but appreciated the thoughtful design.

—————

Informed St. Mary’s remains paywall free for everyone with your support. Donate here to support this important work.

Kingston Crossing Townhomes Approved

Election 2026: MD05 Congressional Candidates