LEONARDTOWN, Md. — A proposed crisis stabilization center in Charlotte Hall, developed by Pascal Crisis Services, Inc., a private non-profit specializing in behavioral health, has ignited a heated debate in St. Mary’s County. Planned for a residential area east of MD Route 236 and Mount Wolf Road, the facility has drawn significant opposition from residents and local leaders who question its suitability for a neighborhood setting. St. Mary’s County officials have outlined a multi-step review process to address these concerns, with public hearings scheduled to gather community input and determine the project’s future.
The proposed center, neither owned nor funded by St. Mary’s County, aims to provide critical mental health crisis intervention services, addressing a significant gap in Southern Maryland’s healthcare infrastructure. The region’s limited mental health resources, where the county detention center serves as the largest de facto psychiatric facility, underscore the need for such a facility. However, the choice of a residential location has sparked concerns about traffic, safety, property values, and the potential for serving out-of-county patients, prompting petitions and public forums to advocate for alternative sites.
Pascal Crisis Services hosted a community meeting on April 29, 2025, at the Charlotte Hall Library to gather initial feedback, but the event drew criticism for its lack of prior notification to county officials and residents. “To my knowledge, neither I nor any other member of county government was notified about this meeting by the developers or owners,” Commissioner Mike Alderson Jr. wrote on his Facebook page, expressing frustration over the developers’ communication. Alderson, while supportive of mental health services, firmly opposed the Mount Wolf Road location, stating, “I CANNOT support the placement of this facility on Mount Wolf Road in a residential area.”
Delegate Matt Morgan echoed these concerns, focusing on the residential setting and its implications. “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 stated on his Facebook page. Morgan highlighted that $1 million in state funding was allocated through the capital budget (HB351) and encouraged residents to sign a petition opposing the site, available at chng.it/c2mjvbSdtT. He urged community participation in public forums to influence the project’s outcome.
Senator Jack Bailey provided a broader perspective, acknowledging the need for mental health resources while addressing community concerns. “I fully understand why our citizens in this area have concerns about the location,” he wrote on his Facebook page. Bailey clarified that state legislators do not control project locations, noting that the St. Mary’s County Health Department was involved in site selection and that the county was briefed on April 30, 2024. “During the 2024 Legislative Session, I was approached by representatives of Pascal Crisis Services about a grant that they had received through the St. Mary’s County Health Department that would help improve access to mental health care in Southern Maryland,” he explained. Bailey supported the grant, which included state capital funding for “the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of a new crisis center in Southern Maryland.”
Bailey emphasized that the project must comply with all zoning regulations, despite receiving state funding. “This project does not receive any special treatment because it is receiving a State grant; it is still subject to all existing laws and regulations regarding land use,” he said. He expressed hope for collaboration between the county and Pascal to identify alternative locations, stating, “It is my hope that the County will be able to work with Pascal to explore more suitable options for the location of this facility since the County has other properties and resources that could be used for this project.”
The county’s statement on May 5, 2025, underscored its commitment to transparency amid public demand for clarity. The proposed center aims to address a critical regional issue, with Alderson noting, “At present, our region’s largest mental health facility is tragically our detention center in Leonardtown, which is simply unacceptable.” Crisis stabilization centers provide short-term, intensive care for individuals in acute mental health crises, offering services like psychiatric evaluation, medication management, and counseling to prevent hospitalization or incarceration. The Pascal Center would align with state and federal efforts to expand mental health access, particularly in underserved areas like Southern Maryland, where high suicide rates among veterans and first responders highlight the urgency.
However, the residential location has fueled opposition, with residents advocating for commercial or industrial zones as more appropriate sites. The petition cited by Morgan reflects widespread community sentiment, gaining traction among Charlotte Hall residents. Suggested alternatives include areas near the St. Mary’s County Health Department in Great Mills or other county-owned properties, which could better accommodate the facility’s operational needs without disrupting residential neighborhoods.
The controversy draws parallels to a 2022 cannabis grow facility in the 7th District, where state and local support facilitated zoning exemptions, bypassing community protections. “This current proposal for the Pascal Health Crisis Center mirrors that same disregard for local input and zoning laws,” Alderson wrote, emphasizing the need for public engagement to prevent a similar outcome. “This time the citizens and residents have a chance to let their voices be heard, unlike we did in 2022,” he added, urging residents to participate in public forums.
The Southern Maryland Chronicle is reviewing public documents to provide ongoing updates, ensuring residents have access to accurate information. The debate underscores tensions between addressing regional mental health needs and preserving community interests. Mental health advocates argue that facilities like the Pascal Center are essential, given Southern Maryland’s limited resources. Opponents, however, stress that such projects must respect zoning laws and community priorities, avoiding undue burdens on residential areas.
Pascal Crisis Services, based in Maryland, operates several behavioral health facilities, including crisis centers in other counties. Its model focuses on rapid intervention, aligning with broader efforts to reduce reliance on emergency rooms and incarceration for mental health crises. The $1 million in state funding supports the project’s development, but county approvals remain critical. Bailey’s advocacy for mental health, including support for veteran and first responder initiatives, frames his support for the grant, though he acknowledges the need for a suitable location.
Communication breakdowns have exacerbated tensions. Alderson’s frustration over the April 29 meeting’s lack of notification highlights a perceived disconnect between Pascal, the county, and the community. Bailey’s note that the county was briefed in April 2024 suggests some prior awareness, but the site selection process—partly guided by the St. Mary’s County Health Department—has lacked transparency, fueling distrust. Residents have called for clearer communication and inclusive planning to ensure community voices are heard.
The project’s future hinges on the county’s zoning process, which offers multiple opportunities for public input. The Board of Appeals will evaluate whether the project meets conditional use criteria, considering factors like traffic, neighborhood compatibility, and public safety. If approved, the Planning Commission will review the site plan, assessing building design, parking, and landscaping. Community engagement through petitions, testimony, and forum attendance will shape the outcome, potentially leading to modifications or relocation.
Public Hearing Details
The St. Mary’s County Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on May 22, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. in the Commissioners Meeting Room at 41770 Baldridge Street, Leonardtown, to review the project’s conditional use approval. Residents can attend in person or submit written testimony to Sherrie.Young@stmaryscountymd.gov. An earlier public meeting was held on May 6, 2025, at the Chesapeake Building, allowing residents to voice initial concerns. Pascal Crisis Services must post signs at the proposed 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. If conditional use approval is granted, the project will proceed to a public hearing before the St. Mary’s County Planning Commission for concept site plan review, with further opportunities for public comment. Hearing details are available at www.stmaryscountymd.gov/PublicHearings
