The St. Mary’s County Planning Commission postponed hearings on two major subdivision proposals at its Sept. 14 meeting, after representatives for both applicants requested continuances to resolve outstanding traffic issues.
The commission first heard a request to continue Major Subdivision 26-0118, the Bay Ridge Estates proposal. An attorney for the applicant told the commission the delay was needed both to ensure a full board would be available and to allow time to resolve traffic issues the applicant is working through. The commission granted a continuance to Oct. 19 at 6:30 p.m.
The board then took up a similar request for the Smithfield Apartments case. The applicant’s representative asked for a longer continuance — to Jan. 25, 2027 — citing the need for a more extensive traffic study that accounts for State Highway Administration review cycles and coordination with the applicant’s traffic consultant. The representative said the delay would allow the applicant to bring a complete, up-to-date study to the commission rather than proceeding with incomplete information. The commission approved the continuance without objection.
Neither case received substantive testimony or public comment Monday, as both were resolved procedurally before reaching the merits of the applications. The commission also approved its Aug. 10 meeting minutes before adjourning.
Commission members present included Chairman Howard Thompson, Vice-Chair Joseph L. Van Kirk, Lynn Delahay, Joseph A. St. Clair and Gerald “Jay” Cousineau III; member Judith Fillius was absent. County staff on hand included Deputy Director of the Department of Land Use and Growth Management Brandy Glenn and Deputy County Attorney John Sterling Houser.
