Leonardtown Updates
Tractor Supply, Annexation Plans
The former site of Pennies Bar is a step closer to being redeveloped after Leonardtown’s Planning & Zoning Commission approved the concept plan for Tractor Supply.
According to meeting minutes Mike Bailey, Town Planner, reviewed the staff report for the commission. The report describes the 3.9 acre site with plans for a nearly 22,000 square foot retail store and a 20K SF outdoor display area behind the building. Tractor Supply is required to have 110 parking spaces, but only 84 are proposed. The project’s engineer reviewed the “proposed layout for the parking area,” but the minutes make no reference to further discussion on the matter.
Commission member Doug Isleib requested merchandise displays on the side of the building rather than fronting Route 5, and mentioned the building’s facade should match the style of others in the area. Both suggestions were accepted by the applicant.
Tractor Supply concept plan overlaid on satellite image
The motion to approve the concept plan passed unanimously. Final approval won’t be granted until the project has addressed all issues or comments from relevant government agencies. Meeting minutes also state the project is working to “obtain an outfall easement for the proposed stormwater management” from neighboring property owners.
No public comments are included in public records available on the Town government’s website. The meeting was recorded, however the video available on YouTube cuts off after eleven minutes making it unclear if anyone gave public comment at the meeting.
At the November meeting, the Planning & Zoning Commission reviewed two annexation petitions. The first, for 16 acres at 40985 Greenhill Lane, is part of the Greenwood Hills Subdivision on northbound Route 5 near D&G Kustoms. The land is zoned Rural Preservation by the county, but if it were annexed by Leonardtown it would become Commercial-Highway under the Town’s zoning. The property owners, who also own D&G Kustoms, may move their business to this property. Roughly 10 acres of the land is under a forest conservation easement and will likely remain undeveloped.
Two other properties, off Cedar Lane Road, may also be incorporated within town limits. A three acre parcel beside Cedar Lane Senior Living Community is surrounded on three sides by the Town. A larger property, 55 acres just across the street, is owned by Quality Built Homes, Inc. That property, if annexed, would switch from the county’s Residential Low Density to the Town’s Planned Urban Development (PUD) zoning category.
Though town staff stressed no concept plans have been filed, it’s likely this will become a housing development. The staff report states a concept plan exists showing a mix of residential dwelling types, and town staff is working with the applicant to develop the plan. “All large farm parcels are PUD within the Town,” the report reads. Other PUDs in Leonardtown include Clarks Rest, Leonard’s Grant, and Meadows at Town Run. Neighboring property owners, who were present at the meeting, expressed their concerns that this rural area would become a housing development.
Leonardtown’s Planning & Zoning Board approved the plans to rezone both properties. Next, the annexation petitions will go before the Town Council on December 8th for a public hearing. Anyone with information or feedback to share is encouraged to attend the meeting at Town Hall (22670 Washington Street) at 4pm that day. Comments can also be emailed to leonadtown.commissioners@leonardtownmd.gov.
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