LEONARDTOWN, Md. — A public hearing on a proposed 60-unit townhouse project in Piney Point was postponed Monday night after the developer asked for more time to address sewer capacity concerns.
Attorney Chris Longmore, representing Windward Land Development, LLC, told the St. Mary’s County Planning Commission on Oct. 27 that concerns about available sewer capacity surfaced within the past week to 10 days and must be resolved with county staff and state agencies before the case returns. No new date was requested. Because the postponement was indefinite. No public testimony was taken.
The concept site plan for Lighthouse Commons is proposed at the end of Lighthouse Commons Drive in Piney Point.
What’s behind the sewer question
The Piney Point/St. George Island area is served by a system of pump stations and force mains that convey wastewater to the Marlay-Taylor Water Reclamation Facility, the county’s largest plant. MetCom reports indicate the Piney Point pump station is among the system’s higher-capacity stations and that Piney Point force mains and the pump station have been the subject of upgrade projects in recent years.
Even with ongoing capital work, the waterfront communities have seen periodic stress on the collection system. MetCom has publicly reported sanitary sewer overflows in Piney Point and on St. George Island in past incidents, which typically prompt coordination with the Maryland Department of the Environment and can affect how and when new connections are approved.
MetCom’s current capital plans list Piney Point force main improvements and a Piney Point wastewater pump station upgrade as recent or planned projects, part of a broader effort to renew aging infrastructure countywide.
What’s next
Longmore said the applicant will request a new hearing once issues are resolved with county and state reviewers. Until then, the project remains on hold. Any rescheduled hearing will be re-advertised and mailed to nearby property owners, the commission said.
The hearing was held in the Chesapeake Building in Leonardtown and aired on Channel 95 and the county’s YouTube channel.
Got a tip or photo? Text us at 888-871-NEWS (6397) or email news@thebaynet.com.
Join The BayNet Membership for exclusive perks and zero ads.
Don’t miss a story—sign up for our newsletter!
Need to find an easement for access onto Piney Point road vice Lighthouse road. Ridiculous to send that much traffic onto Lighthouse road thru Lighthouse Commons. Much less of an impact to traffic if the entrance/exit is onto Piney Point Road.