Leonardtown Approves G&H Residences
The Leonardtown Planning and Zoning Board, on February 17, approved a concept plan for G&H Residences, a three-story apartment building on Washington Street. During a 45-minute review, board members questioned whether the proposal fits the town’s character, and several members of the public voiced concerns.
The former Abell house at 22809 Washington St. was purchased along with the adjacent 0.71-acre parcel, where a sign for the owner’s other business, G&H Jewelers, now stands. That parcel is the proposed site of G&H Residences, a 16-unit apartment building. According to the town’s planning staff report, the proposal meets zoning requirements for the Commercial Business District. Multifamily dwellings are permitted in the zoning area, “conditioned upon demonstration of strict compliance with off-street parking requirements.”
Regulations require the building to front Washington Street, with parking along the side or rear. Plans show entrances and exits on Washington Street at the front, and Pope Street at the rear of the property. The building’s entrance faces north toward Church Street, with 11 parking spaces at the front door. A majority of the 32 total parking spaces would be located at the rear of the property near Pope Street.
Town Planner Mike Bailey described a 10-foot easement along Pope Street that would be donated to the town by the property owner, saying it would give the town room to address traffic needs. Approximately 26 feet would separate the side of the building from the sidewalk along Washington Street. A landscaped stormwater management area with trees would fill that space, providing a buffer.
Developer Wayne Davis said the units would include one- and two-bedroom apartments renting for $1,800 to $2,000 per month. “It’s very important for the town of Leonardtown” to have affordable options for young people to live near where they work, Davis said.
Board members expressed concerns about the height of the structure, saying it could appear out of place between two-story residential homes. Board Chair Jean Moulds asked Davis about reducing the building’s size, but he said the current plan represented the best use of the property that was “financially feasible.” Washington Street Apartments, located next to Dairy Queen, is of comparable height, Bailey said. He added that the zoning ordinance allows building heights up to 45 feet.
Wayne Davis, developer, provides information to the Planning Board.
Several residents spoke during public comment, with many saying the proposal does not fit the town’s character. One speaker said two parking spaces per unit would be insufficient and that visitors could worsen existing parking issues. Another resident expressed support for the project and offered suggestions, including adding speed bumps in the parking lot pass-through area to slow drivers using it as a cut-through.
No traffic study is required under the town’s ordinance because the property already has development rights, Bailey said. However, commission member Sean Lawson noted that traffic at the intersection of Routes 5 and 245 already backs up significantly along Washington Street. Residents of the proposed building would have to turn right onto Washington Street and then make a U-turn to pass through the traffic light. Lawson questioned how additional traffic could affect town events and residents’ ability to access their homes.
The developer agreed to return to the board with a progress update on design development, potentially addressing concerns about the building’s facade and overall compatibility with the town’s environment. The plans will return for final approval at a later date.
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