Bank looking for builders to finish projects

Original developer of neighborhood now out of the Woods at Myrtle Point

Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009

Last October, the St. Mary's County Planning Commission gave approval for 135 townhouses for the project, for a total of 358 approved homes on land that drains into Mill Creek.

The first phase was originally approved for 55 single-family homes; 19 have been built with two completed recently, the planning commission was told Monday evening.

Developer Paul Summers began the project until it stalled after the economy faltered. Fulton Bank is now funding piecemeal work, according to the bank's consultant, Charles Miller.

P.F. Summers is closing up business and Fulton Bank is looking for other builders to finish the neighborhood, Miller said.

"Fulton Bank has a strong interest in maintaining the value of the project," he said.

Nearby residents and the Potomac River Association originally objected to the development because of its highly erodible soils.

Summers had top soil stockpiled at the site because "the soil types don't really promote grass growth there," Miller said.

Surface paving still needs to be finished at the Woods at Myrtle Point, Miller said, because water accumulates at the entrance off Patuxent Boulevard, the road that leads to Myrtle Point Park on the Patuxent River.

"The street signs right now are hodgepodge," Miller added.

The homeowner's association is made up of Summers, Miller and Frank Walters, a resident.

Planning commission member Merl Evans asked how the homeowner's association meetings have been coming along. There have been three meetings so far in the past year, Miller said.

"In my view it's hard to collaborate in just three meetings," Evans said.

jbabcock@somdnews.com