Calvert County Department of Economic Development Proposes Three Development Projects to County Commissioners

PRINCE FREDERICK, Md., -- December 10, 1996 -- The Calvert County Department of Economic Development (DED) briefed the Board of County Commissioners on three conceptual development projects in Lusby, Prince Frederick, and Dunkirk. DED outlined the expected uses, target market(s), current and proposed zoning, estimated County investment and potential economic impact. The Board of Commissioners will review the details of each project and consider entering into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for each proposed project.

Project Descriptions: Proposed Project: Lusby 92-acre, mixed-use, office/flex park with ancillary retail, emphasizing defense related services, testing and fabrication, with a section devoted to smaller general manufacturing/assembly. The property is zoned Light Industrial and is adjacent to the Lusby Town Center. The estimated County investment is $80,000 to extend public sewer to the site, with a potential economic impact of $28,756,000 in 1996 dollars over 10 years. Proposed County commitments include extending public sewer to the property and an amendment to the zoning code to allow EC/TC uses.

The developer would agree to develop mutually acceptable design standards and development covenants; to prepare and submit a concept master plan of the property to the Planning Commission for approval prior to development commencement; to limit retail uses to those permitted in EC/TC zoning; to reserve an appropriate site for location of a County water storage tower on the property; and to commence development simultaneously with the extension of public sewer to the site. No housing will be developed on the property except dedicated elderly housing would be permitted. It is understood that hotels, conference centers and other facilities that permit extended stays are allowed.

Proposed Project: Prince Frederick - 115-acre, mixed-use, office park with ancillary retail, fronting on Maryland Route 4, emphasizing defense related services, retail, administrative service centers and general business offices. Development will likely include a proportion of flex type space allowing laboratory, testing and general manufacturing/assembly type uses. The property is zoned Town Center. The estimated County investment is $180,000 for the extension of water and sewer and $350,000 for construction of an improved wetlands crossing. The potential economic impact is $48,775,000 in new investment in 1996 dollars over 10 years. County commitments include the extension public water and sewer, and the creation and financing of the wetlands crossing.

The developer commits to develop mutually acceptable design standards and development covenants; to prepare and submit a concept master plan of the property to the Planning Commission; to limit retail uses to those permitted in EC/TC zoning (does not apply to proposed retail adjoining MD Route 4); to construct the segment of the "loop road" within five years of the project's master plan approval and/or completion of the proposed wetlands crossing; to preserve the former railroad right-of-way on the property, and dedicate it to a "rail to trails" program; to contribute 50 percent of the wetlands crossing cost with a maximum of $350,000 for the cost of engineering permitting, mitigation and construction of the County's "desired" wetlands crossing at the State Highway Administration's recommended location; and to contribute to the sewer pump station construction at an amount equal to the cost of the facilities necessary to serve the development shown in the concept plan.

Proposed Project: Dunkirk -120-acre, mixed use office/flex/retail parks, emphasizing non- defense services, administrative service centers and general business offices. Development may conclude some flex space, allowing laboratory testing and general manufacturing assembly type uses. The property is zoned Town Center. There is no estimated County investment; all incurred costs for water and sewer extension will be recovered through user benefit fees.

The developer commits to submit a concept master plan that shows development areas for retail uses, mixed office use, commercial and flex use, and areas reserved solely for office/flex space; to establish within the master plan proportional ratios of new retail and new office/flex space development which excludes areas currently planned for retail development; not to develop or sell land to others for developing single or multi-family residential units (does not exclude dedicated elderly housing, hotels, motels, conference centers or other facilities); to develop and adopt appropriate design standards for retail, commercial, and office/flex properties; and to pay a percentage towards the actual cost of wastewater force main construction to service the Dunkirk Town Center.

In a related action last week, the Board of Commissioners approved an MOU to seek development proposals for a 25-acre parcel of land in Solomons. Requests for proposals are scheduled for early 1997.

Development approval for the proposed projects will enable the County to market its four primary target industries: computer programming, software development and related services; administrative service centers; defense related services; and non-defense related services, allowing Calvert County to immediately take advantage of expanding operations at PAX River and other expanding business opportunities in the Greater Washington Region.

For more information please contact the Calvert County Department of Economic Development, 410-535-4583 or 301-855-1880, e-mail cced@co.cal.md.us

For more information on the Calvert County, Maryland Department of Economic Development, our visitor sites and attractions and the services available to assist County businesses, call 410.535.4583, 800.331.9771 or 301.855.1880; or send an e-mail to info@ecalvert.com