LEONARDTOWN, Md. — A proposed crisis stabilization center in Charlotte Hall, Maryland, has ignited community debate, prompting St. Mary’s County officials to outline the project’s review process and address public concerns. Developed by Pascal Crisis Services, Inc., a private non-profit specializing in behavioral health, the facility is planned for a residential area east of MD Route 235 and Mount Wolf Road, raising opposition from residents and local leaders.
The project, neither owned nor funded by St. Mary’s County, must comply with county zoning regulations and undergo a formal review process. Pascal Crisis Services held a community meeting on April 29, 2025, at the Charlotte Hall Library to gather input before official hearings. The first formal step is a public hearing before the St. Mary’s County Board of Appeals for conditional use approval, set for May 22, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. in the Commissioners Meeting Room at 41770 Baldridge Street, Leonardtown. Residents can attend or submit written testimony to Sherrie.Young@stmaryscountymd.gov.
“The Commissioners of St. Mary’s will hold a public meeting on Tuesday night, May 6th, and I invite you to attend and share your thoughts,” said Commissioner Mike Alderson Jr. in a statement on his Facebook page. “Your presence and input are vital in shaping the future of our community.”
If the Board of Appeals grants conditional use approval, the project will advance to a public hearing before the Planning Commission for concept site plan review, where additional public comment will be welcomed. The applicant must post signs at the site by May 7, 2025, and notify property owners within 200 feet via certified mail by May 7, 2025, and first-class mail by May 8, 2025. Public hearing details are available at www.stmaryscountymd.gov/PublicHearings.
The Southern Maryland Chronicle is actively reviewing all publicly available documentation related to the project to enhance community understanding and will provide updates as new information emerges.
Delegate Matt Morgan voiced concerns about the facility’s residential location on Facebook, stating, “Like many residents, I find it troubling that a facility of this nature is being proposed in a residential area, particularly when it appears the primary goal is to cater to out-of-county residents.” He noted that $1 million in state funding has been allocated through the capital budget (HB351) and urged residents to sign a petition opposing the location. Morgan also highlighted public forums on May 6 and May 22, 2025, at the Chesapeake Building in Leonardtown.
Commissioner Alderson shared similar sentiments, criticizing the lack of communication from developers. “To my knowledge, neither I nor any other member of county government was notified about this meeting by the developers or owners,” he wrote on Facebook. While supporting mental health services, Alderson opposed the Mount Wolf Road site, stating, “I CANNOT support the placement of this facility on Mount Wolf Road in a residential area.” He compared the situation to a 2022 cannabis facility controversy where zoning exemptions were granted, undermining community protections.
The county’s May 5, 2025, statement emphasized transparency, acknowledging the public’s demand for clarity. The proposed center aims to address mental health crises, a critical need in Southern Maryland.. However, the residential location has sparked concerns about community impact, prompting a petition against the project.
The review process offers multiple opportunities for public input, with decisions by the Board of Appeals and Planning Commission determining the project’s future. County officials and residents continue to push for alternative locations to balance mental health needs with community concerns.
