PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. — Calvert County’s Planning Commission certified at its Oct. 15 meeting that all the conditions of the preliminary approval granted by the Planning Commission on June 26, 2024, have been met, and the project can move forward.
The project was first conceptualized and brought to the Planning Commission back in 2022, meaning it falls under previous ordinances that allow higher-density housing to be built in the county. Residents have pushed back against high-density residential projects and have maintained that they’re dedicated to keeping Calvert’s rural character.
The current site plan is for 78 townhouse lots. The original proposed Magnolia Ridge subdivision plan included 164 townhouse lots, two multi-family buildings located on one lot, and associated recreational amenities, as well as open space. The site is located next to Calvert High School.
Planning Commission members originally expressed concerns over increased traffic in the area, though the State Highway Administration (SHA) didn’t share those concerns. The Planning Commission voted to move the project forward after some discussion; but the property owners, BARGO LLC., later applied for an exception to a forest conservation variance. The company argued that the trees could be removed without affecting the environment or hurting the public, and that the Magnolia Ridge West development fit the strategy laid out in Town Center ordinances. Notably, the development now has about half the townhouse lots as it did originally.
On Jan. 4, 2024, the appeals board granted BARGO LLC.’s request to remove forested area and one monument tree as long as the company successfully completed Calvert County’s permitting and inspection processes.
The project was certified and can move to the next phase of development.
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Waldorf 2.0 coming soon
Traffic is already a nightmare getting out of the high school now, throw 164 townhomes on an already busy road good old Calvert County
It’s just so sad what has happened to this county! I agree, watch who you vote for because everyone that’s in there now needs to be booted out, but it seems like it’s too late. We already have the new shopping center and a new light and now this! Prince Frederick has become such a mess. I can go to Dunkirk quicker than going to Prince Frederick
I don’t understand the comment? I have friends that won’t travel to Dunkirk because the traffic is so bad. We need roads in this county and leadership. The County Commissioners only think for themselves not the people of this county and what is truly needed.
Housing and roads
why do we need more roads?
Very true. There are now 8 stop lights between the hospital and Company 2 on Route 4. Fox Run is half empty and they build a new shopping center right next to it. Close Joanne”s and build Michael’s. Open an Aldi when there are Safeway, Giant, Weis, and Nick’s within walking distance. How many more carry-out sandwich shops do we need? Since the new shopping center is where the old Calvert Middle School was located, am I correct in thinking that land is County property? Oh, there you go (forehead smack). That answers the question.
GET OVER IT!
It’s not rural any more in Prince Frederick. Anyone notice the increase in traffic? It’s because it’s not rural anymore.
Time to grow up and realize you need housing! Get it: housing!
My daughter and her significant other cannot find a place to live that is within their income and you old people of this area would rather see people suffer then understand what is needed in this county. HOUSING and roads!
Hey, Mabel it ain’t rural anymore
Thus begins the creep..here comes Pennsylvania Ave…
At least it’s not too far from the jail. I guarantee it brings more crime to the county.
Just what we need, more congestion. City planners in this county are a joke and only think with their bank accounts. Why not fix the infrastructure before more housing is added. Dares beach residents have water issues on the regular and this will only exaserbate the issue.
They can build more places but it won’t be affordable thats for sure.
You said it! Housing everywhere has gone sky high. Nothing in Howard County under $500,000. In the western county (Clarksville, Glenelg, Dayton) its $1 million plus. I don’t know how young people starting out can afford it here in Cawlvert Canty. They need two incomes just for housing, not including transportation, utilities, food, clothes. No local jobs pay enough to buy a house so people need to commute to Annapolis or DC to earn a living, so that increases TRAFFIC.
Build more housing yet it won’t be affordable. It’s freaking ridiculous.
Calvert County is quickly turning into Waldorf. So much for keeping Calvert country. There are enough townhouses and apartments along Prince Frederick Blvd. to have their own ZIP code. Friday afternoon I was driving north on Rt. 4 and traffic was backed up from Dares Beach Road to Mexico Restaurant on the southbound side. Come on, BOCC!!! Give it a rest.
This is just like the data center and the housing complex in Lusby. No one here wants this. No one here asked for this. No one here needs this.
Please don’t cut down these trees.
Calvert County has always been a great county! Not anymore….it just keeps growing with all the stores and apartments, townhouses, and more homes being built with 400 tons of homes. It was so nice when I would come back in the 60’s with my grandparents. William Wharf Road where my Aunt Mable lived with her family. They had a cow, chickens, goats, etc. Life was sweet, Sunday dinners were great! We always had the fried chicken and what a great cook she was. Seeing my Aunt Mable and being with my grandmother and granddad was wonderful. Give me back those wonderful years!! Waldorf and other places not a fan. Just sad what has happened to Calvert County! My mom and dad had a place on the water in Huntingtown and we lived down the road from them on Soper Road. It was fun times when our children were little and could go see granddaddy and grandma!
Smh bad call calvert. This is suppose to be country you turning this into counties like p.g., moco..greedy ppl now running calvert?