The Leonardtown Planning Commission has recommended approval of a concept plan for an apartment complex on Fenwick Street next to the Foxwell Condominiums. The recommendation will go to the town council, which will hold a public hearing. The project is called The Hamptons at Leonardtown.
The proposal to be presented to the council calls for two, three-story buildings that will contain 119 rental units, most of which will be two bedrooms. However the developer, the Saba Group, LLC of Waldorf, is also seeking a more intense development, which would add a fourth floor and increase the number of units to 142.
The so-called density bonus is allowed under a recently passed town ordinance if there are additional amenities provided. According to Farhad Saba, company president, the amenity proposed is a pool for the complex residents and a community center to be available to all town residents.
The density bonus requires a special exception by the town’s Board of Appeals. The planning commission also recommended to the appeals board that the density bonus be granted.
The major concern raised by several planning commission members was the entrance to the project off Route 5 and across from Academy Hills. The developer is also seeking a second entrance, off of Fenwick Street. But in order to accomplish that, they would have to secure an easement across property owned by the Foxwell Condominium Association. That right-of-way has not been secured.
Planning Commission member Jack Candella wanted to know if they could make the project contingent on that entrance being accomplished. Town Manager Laschelle McKay said the entrance off Route 5 had been guaranteed by the State Highway Administration when the bypass was constructed.
As of now that is the only way to access the property. McKay said that there would be a property rights issue if the access was denied.
Planning Commission member Heather Earhart said there was considerable concern about the project among Academy Hills residents because of the traffic along that stretch of the bypass. She suggested the developer meet with Academy Hills residents to explain the project. Saba said he would.
Saba asserted that he agreed with the planners about the need for the Fenwick Street entrance and said he would work hard to secure it. He said the worst case scenario could be that the town could condemn the property to get the access.
McKay said she thought things could be worked out. She said the access road off Fenwick Street, which would connect with the new communi
