PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. — Visiting Judge Michelle Jaktlisch ruled to uphold the Calvert County Planning Commission’s decision to approve the 276-unit apartment project, Lusby Villas.
Back in September 2024, a group of residents petitioned for judicial review in Calvert County Circuit Court in hopes of overturning the approval for Lusby Villas, a large-scale apartment project planned for Lusby in Calvert County. The project is currently on hold, and the group had hoped that it would be canceled altogether.
In a social media statement following the decision, the group Save Lusby, Inc. said they were “extremely disappointed” by the results and would determine next steps after consulting with their attorney.
“We want to make sure we rule all options not only for the betterment of Lusby but also each person’s considerations,” the group wrote.
The plan dates back to March 17, 2021, when the Planning Commission approved a conceptual site plan. The subdivision plan was approved in May 2024, and the county held information meetings and a required public comment period. In July 2024, Planning Commissioner Wilson Freeland moved to dismiss the original vote but was voted down 4-3. The final subdivision plan was approved in August 2024. Calvert County lists a detailed timeline of the project’s progress and provides an FAQ about the approval process. The county ultimately found that the project plan aligned with the county’s comprehensive plan and met all the requirements for approval.
However, Lusby residents and a vocal opposition group led by Save Lusby, Inc. maintained that the processes used were not fully transparent and that the plan is based on a 20-year-old proposal that hasn’t been updated. The group also says that the plan has a land disturbance area of 31 acres, which it says is only 4 acres less than the Pentagon. Development in Calvert County is an ongoing battle between the need for a robust economy and the county’s rural heritage and quality of life — elements that are closely tied with preserving the environment and natural resources.
BOCC President Earl Hance said the board would follow any decision rendered.
“The citizens have clearly expressed their opinion of high-density growth, and this board has taken steps to greatly reduce any future development,” Hance said.
He added that projects such as Lusby Villas are under the old regulations, but the new zoning ordinance that only allows four units per acre will greatly reduce any future apartment projects.
The Calvert County Planning Commission did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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Johnny Gott, the landowner in question, could care less of the problems his villas are going to cause. He is far removed from the area living in a multimillion-dollar home on over a hundred acres. The villas are part of a HUD housing project of which the loan funding is in part guaranteed by HUD. The villas will be mostly section 8 housing bringing in all sorts of undesirables. Lusby will soon turn into a Lexington Park. The good ole boy network is alive and well Calvert County. If anyone thought that they might be able to rent an apartment there, think again. There is a long waiting list for section 8 housing. Which means those apartments are technically already rented out. Isn’t that just grand?
This sounds like it was set up for a visiting judge. Sounds like some inside stuff is going on in calvert!!!
Johnny Gott, the landowner in question, could care less of the problems his villas, (what a misnomer if there ever was one), are going to cause. He is far removed from the area living in a multimillion-dollar home on over a hundred acres. The villas are part of a HUD housing project of which the loan funding is in part guaranteed by HUD. The villas will be mostly section 8 housing. Bringing people that have no sense of community. Lusby will soon turn into a Lexington Park. The good Ole boy network is alive and well in Calvert County. If anyone local thought that they might be able to rent an apartment there, think again. There is a long waiting list for section 8 housing. Which means those apartments are technically already rented out. Isn’t that just grand?
Would they approve section 8 or HUD in Solomon’s or Dunkirk? No way! This is going to ruin everything. EMS, schools, watershed, where’s the sewage going? Where are they getting their water from? Not to mention traffic, crime, housing prices will drop. SMH! Time to move after 33 years in CRE. IM PISSED
Just so you know…the APPOINTED Planning Commission can overrule the ELECTED
county commissioners. Remember that there was going to be NO STOPLIGHT on route 4 at the new shopping center? Remember when Walmart in Prince Frederick was denied a stoplight resulting in U turns? Remove word PLANNING. They’re a disgrace.
Did not know that. There’s a lot we in CRE are unaware of. Shame.