Prince Frederick “Westside On Main” Housing Development Faces Delays Over Traffic Impact Study 

PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. — Calvert County’s Planning Commission declined to move a housing development project forward at its April 21 meeting, citing a need to see the final traffic impact study first.

The housing development, Westside on Main, is a plan for a 24-unit property located at 305 and 445 Main St., Prince Frederick.

This development proposal meets the criteria to be designated as a Category I Site Plan as well as a Major Subdivision Plan, both of which require approval by the Technical Evaluation Group (TEG), Subdivision Evaluation Group (SEG), and the Calvert County Planning Commission. The three-step review process corresponds with current stormwater management (SWM) requirements and requires applicants to submit both the Site Plan and Subdivision Plan for review and approval, prior to submittal for building permits, according to a memo submitted to the Planning Commission by Chrstine Finamore, principal planner.

Planning & Zoning staff clarified that this project was submitted prior to the change in zoning rules that restrict high-density housing units in Calvert County. The plan is considered “grandfathered” in using past rules and is eligible for approval from the county as long as it continues to meet the rules in place when the plan was first submitted.

“This is going to redefine the visual appearance of Main Street, let alone the traffic and everything else associated with it,” Planning Commission member Chris Gadway said, adding that the project “gave him pause.”

The Planning Commission opted to defer a yes-or-no vote on the development rather than deny it outright. The Planning Commission has several opportunities to move the project forward or deny it throughout the planning process.

Calvert residents can see the Westside on Main presentation and site plan online.

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