LEONARDTOWN — The Leonardtown Town Council approved the annexation of two parcels off Cedar Lane Road in a 4-1 vote during its final meeting of 2025 on December 8, while tabling a separate annexation proposal for the Hall property after limited public input. Councilman Nick Colvin opposed the Cedar Lane measure, raising concerns about insufficient road infrastructure to support future growth.
The meeting, held at 4 p.m. in the town hall at 22670 Washington St., drew a full crowd of residents and stakeholders. Colvin opened the session with the invocation, followed by town staff leading the Pledge of Allegiance. The council then approved the minutes from the November 10 meeting without objection. Reports from the treasurer detailed quarterly financials, including utility revenues and general fund balances. The police department summarized recent activity, noting a 12 percent drop in property crimes compared to the prior year, attributed to enhanced patrols along Washington Street and Route 5. Planning staff provided an overview of ongoing zoning reviews, highlighting compliance with the town’s 2019 Downtown Strategic Plan, which guides revitalization efforts in the historic district.
Three budget amendments passed unanimously, adjusting the fiscal 2026 operating plan adopted earlier in the year. The first, BA2026-100, allocated $600 for routine office supplies, covering items like printing materials and stationery amid rising vendor costs. BA2026-101 directed $4,500 toward computer software updates and technical support, ensuring compatibility with state-mandated reporting systems for utilities and permitting. The largest adjustment, BA2026-102, accepted a $40,000 grant from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s Main Street Improvement Program. This funding targets façade enhancements and streetscape improvements along Washington Street, building on prior awards that supported sidewalk repairs and lighting upgrades since Leonardtown’s designation as a Main Street Maryland community in September 2023.
The council’s first major action involved authorizing the $20,000 purchase of two 2019 tram trailers from the Town of Ocean City. These vehicles, formerly used for boardwalk shuttles in the Worcester County resort town, will bolster Leonardtown’s event logistics. Officials plan to deploy them for parades, the annual First Fridays art walks and the Scarecrow Stroll festival, reducing reliance on rented equipment. Ocean City upgraded its fleet earlier in 2025, making the trailers available through a surplus sale process governed by Maryland’s inter-municipal transfer laws.
Next, the council endorsed a letter of support for transferring a Class A-3 beer and wine liquor license from Good Earth Natural Food Stores Inc. to Beach Creek Yoga & Wellness LLC. The Good Earth, a fixture at 41675 Park Ave. since 1996, specializes in organic produce and supplements but holds the license primarily for retail sales of non-alcoholic beverages and health products. The transfer aligns with the site’s shift toward wellness programming, including yoga classes and holistic retreats, under the new ownership. Maryland’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Division requires local government endorsement for such moves, ensuring consistency with community standards.
Public hearings dominated the evening’s discourse. At 4:15 p.m., the council considered annexing the Hall property at Tax Map 32, Parcel 96, a 2.5-acre site adjacent to existing town limits near the intersection of Route 5 and St. Mary’s Avenue. However, the council opted to table the proposal, directing staff to conduct further environmental and utility impact assessments before rescheduling.
The 4:30 p.m. hearing addressed the Cedar Lane Road annexation of Tax Map 41, Parcels 235 and 266, totaling about 15 acres east of the town’s Breton Bay boundary. Several residents commented, praising the addition’s proximity to the Leonardtown Wharf and its role in consolidating municipal services like water and sewer. Debate centered on development timelines, with Colvin arguing that Route 245 upgrades—part of a $15 million state project delayed until 2027—must precede any building permits. “Infrastructure, specifically the roads, is not adequate and needs to be addressed before this annexation and ultimately before any potential development should occur,” Colvin stated in his post-meeting summary. The measure advanced 4-1, with the annexed land now eligible for town zoning under Article 155 of the municipal code, which mandates public hearings and a simple majority vote for voluntary expansions.
The Local Business Association representative outlined membership drives, emphasizing partnerships with the St. Mary’s Arts Council for 2026 exhibits. The session adjourned around 6:30 p.m., marking the last regular meeting until January 12, 2026.
As Leonardtown navigates fiscal 2026 with a $7.8 million budget—up 10 percent from 2025—these actions position it for sustained vitality. Holiday greetings from the council extended wishes for a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and prosperous New Year, inviting participation in January’s agenda.