Pembrooke Townhomes Approved
Stream Buffer Variances Granted
The 140-unit development known as “Pembrooke Townhomes” was granted a variance to disturb nearby stream buffers at the June 26th Board of Appeals (BOA) meeting. Located on 28 acres off Willows Rd, Pembrooke Townhomes is the final buildout of the overall Pembrooke development. North of the project is Abberly Crest apartments, with the Pembrooke single family homes to the south. BOA members considered verbal and written comments prior to making their decision.
Attorney for the BOA, Steve Scott, represented Pembrooke Townhomes before the Planning Commission earlier this year and recused himself from this hearing. Scott was replaced by John Houser, deputy county attorney, while Pembrooke was represented by attorney Chris Longmore. Longmore told the BOA that the Planning Commission unanimously approved the project, and “most of this development will be available for workforce housing.”
Concept rendering.
Questions centered mainly on stormwater management. Michael Przybocki, the townhouse project’s engineer, said the stormwater management devices on site are designed to manage any excess runoff created. Landscaping includes ponds and submerged gravel wetlands that collect, drain, and release runoff. The effect preserves current runoff conditions to prevent flooding.
Louis Collier, President of Pembrooke Homeowners Association, said he represented the 350 single family homes with concerns about stormwater and flooding. Pembrooke Run, the nearby stream, swells up to 50 feet wide during heavy rains. Some residents need sandbags to prevent basement flooding, Collier said. He asked for a delay of the BOA’s vote until further stormwater management study is completed.
Two others, Troy Cowan and Joan Sullivan-Cowan, spoke in favor of the project. Lexington Park needs this type of high-density, workforce housing to serve young professionals working at nearby Patuxent River Naval Air Station, they said.
More details about the development are available in previous coverage.
