The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County approved amendments to the county’s Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance during their September 30, 2025, business meeting in Leonardtown, allowing Use Type 28 activities in the Resource Conservation Area Critical Area Overlay District. The change, which had been postponed from a prior session, aims to accommodate specific land uses in protected zones while adhering to state environmental guidelines.
Commissioners also issued proclamations recognizing Homegrown School Lunch Week and World Architecture Day, highlighting local efforts in nutrition education and design appreciation. The meeting opened with an invocation, pledge and consent agenda approval before addressing these items.
In County Administrator Time, the board reviewed upcoming agendas and approved several measures. They endorsed a letter supporting the Maryland Department of Natural Resources application for a U.S. Navy Deer Cooperator Permit at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, facilitating controlled deer management on federal lands to mitigate overpopulation impacts. The FY2027 Land Conservation Fund grant application was greenlit, targeting preservation of natural resources through state funding partnerships. [https://dnr.maryland.gov/land/pages/lwcf-grants.aspx]
A contract between Maryland International Raceway and the Department of Recreation & Parks was ratified, establishing a collaboration to replace playground equipment at county facilities, enhancing public recreation options. The FY2026 Community Partnership Agreement for the Department of Aging & Human Services received approval, along with the Local Management Board Capacity Building Grant for the same department, bolstering services for seniors and families.
The board accepted the Department of Social Services Inter-Governmental Agency Agreement, ensuring coordinated support for vulnerable residents. Budget amendments were passed, increasing the FIN2026 Capital Reserve and transferring $3.85 million from it to fund the Sheriff’s Office Support Services building project, advancing public safety infrastructure.
Commissioners authorized a letter opposing Addendum III to Amendment VI of the Interstate Fishery Management Plan, aligning with local watermen’s concerns over striped bass regulations that could affect commercial fishing yields. The session concluded with Commissioner Time for individual remarks.
Later that evening, the commissioners reconvened at 6 p.m. for the Maryland Department of Transportation’s Consolidated Transportation Program Tour, discussing state investments in local roads, bridges and transit. Acting Secretary Samantha J. Biddle and agency representatives outlined funding priorities for Southern Maryland.
Upcoming sessions include a joint meeting with the Naval Air Station Patuxent River commanding officer on October 7, 2025, at 9 a.m. in the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum, followed by the regular business meeting at 1 p.m. in the Chesapeake Building and a joint public meeting with the county’s legislative delegation at 6:30 p.m. These gatherings address military-community relations and policy coordination.
Decisions and documents from the September 30 meeting are accessible via BoardDocs on the county website, with live streams on Channel 95 or YouTube.
Zoning procedures in St. Mary’s follow the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, updated periodically to balance growth and conservation under Maryland’s Critical Area Program, which protects Chesapeake Bay tributaries since 1984. Use Type 28, likely involving marine-related services, requires board approval for overlays in resource areas to ensure minimal environmental impact.
The Land Conservation Fund, administered by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, provides grants for acquiring parklands and trails, with recent awards exceeding $12 million statewide. In St. Mary’s, such funds have preserved over 10,000 acres through programs like Rural Legacy
Social services agreements facilitate interagency collaboration, aligning with Maryland’s human services framework to deliver aid without duplication
Joint meetings with NAS Patuxent River, held biannually, foster compatibility between base operations and community development, addressing encroachment under federal guidelines.
