Leonardtown, Md. — St. Mary’s County Government released the first draft of its long-range Comprehensive Plan, titled St. Mary’s 2050: Charting Our Tomorrow, and opened a 45-day public review and comment period to gather community input before finalizing the document.
The Department of Land Use & Growth Management (LUGM) published the draft to shape land use, growth patterns, preservation efforts, infrastructure priorities, and development decisions in St. Mary’s County through 2050 and beyond. The plan addresses future needs in housing, transportation, economic development, environmental protection, agriculture, historic resources, and community facilities across Southern Maryland’s southernmost county.
Residents can access the full draft online at www.stmaryscountymd.gov/StMarys2050. The project website includes a “Participate Now” button for submitting feedback on specific topics, recommendations, or sections. Paper copies are available for in-person review at all St. Mary’s County public libraries, senior centers, and the Health Hub.
County officials emphasized that input collected during this review window will help refine the plan to better align with community values and priorities. All comments received online and at public events will inform revisions before the document advances to the St. Mary’s County Planning Commission for review in late spring 2026, followed by consideration by the Commissioners of St. Mary’s County this summer.
To supplement online participation, LUGM scheduled a series of in-person Open Houses in February 2026. These events allow residents to examine the draft, discuss elements with the project team, and provide verbal or written feedback. Additional Open Houses are planned for March, with details to be released on the project website.
The St. Mary’s 2050 Plan serves as the county’s primary policy guide for land use and growth management. It updates the existing Comprehensive Plan and responds to changing demographics, economic pressures, environmental concerns, and development trends in a county that balances rural character, agricultural lands, historic sites, and proximity to Naval Air Station Patuxent River. Public engagement at this stage ensures the final plan reflects broad input from residents in communities such as Leonardtown, Lexington Park, California, Mechanicsville, Charlotte Hall, and other unincorporated areas.
Feedback submission remains open throughout the 45-day period. Residents are encouraged to visit www.stmaryscountymd.gov/StMarys2050 for the draft, comment tools, event updates, and additional project information. The process supports transparent planning in St. Mary’s County, a key jurisdiction in Southern Maryland where growth management influences quality of life, resource conservation, and long-term sustainability.