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The proposal is to amend the property’s water and sewer services to accommodate the development of 72 townhomes and 218 single family lots.

Located at 5400 Main Street, Aspire at Ewing Farm is a 112 acre property currently used for agriculture and is zoned Grasonville Planned Residential Neighborhood.

Flows from use are anticipated to be 72,500 gallons per day. Sewer service would be provided via a constructed gravity sewer pump station and water service would he provided by the Grasonville water system.

Sketch plan approval for the project was granted by the Queen Anne’s County Planning Commission in October and met requirements of the Water and Sewer Master Plan.

The property has been part of the county’s comprehensive water and sewer plan for a 10 year service since 2011, according to attorney Joe Stevens on behalf of developer K. Hovnanian.

The property has been ratified as part of the Grasonville Growth Area and zoned for planned residential development for decades.

The 2022 Comprehensive Plan highlights affordable housing as a high need in the county.

According to Mike Irons, division president of K. Hovnanian Homes of Maryland, LLC the Aspire Development will include “efficient homes without a lot of bells and whistles,� aimed toward first time home buyers, workforce housing and affordable housing.

“We’re bringing to the market something that the county needs,� Irons said.

K. Hovnanian is also the builder and developer for the 55 and older Four Seasons Community.

Barry Griffith, planner with Lane Engineering, noted the location is an infill property surrounded by existing houses, schools and parks.

“We’re a hole in a donut of development around us, and that’s where we want new growth to go,� Griffith said.

The property is located in a priority funding area, meaning the state and county have both acknowledged it as appropriate for state funding for future growth, he said.

Member of the Ewing family Mitchell Andrew noted the Ewings have been approached by local, regional and national developers over the years and “without a doubt� K. Hovnanian was the first that “really fit Grasonville,� and met the needs of the county.

The public hearing saw over 10 in-person as well as six emails from residents voicing support for the amendment to move the development forward with resounding sentiment toward the county’s need for affordable housing.

Agreeing the project met the needs of the county, Commission President Jim Moran noted the loose terminology of affordable housing that could change in the potentially two years before the development is ready.

Following potential commissioner amendment approval for sewer and water redesignation, the project would then move forward for additional approvals including site plan, subdivision and, Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance.

A public hearing was also held to consider amending the Queen Anne’s County 2011 Comprehensive Water and Sewer Plan for Barnstable Lowery Farm’s proposed development of 82 townhomes on a 11 acre lot in Main Street Chester.

The property is agricultural land consisting of two farms on either side of the three improved properties that are not included in the development proposal. The proposed development is part of Lowery Farm and Dream Farm. The portion adjacent to Main Street is zoned Town Center and the parcel to the rear of the site is zoned Countryside.

All residential development will occur in the Town Center zoning district.

Sewer services would be provided by Vacuum Sewer Collection Station ‘G’ and water services would be provided by the Stevensville/Chester water system.

Flows from the use are anticipated at 20,500 gallons per day.

The Planning Commission granted concept plan approval for the Barnstable Townhouse development in October and no anticipated off-site sewer or water infrastructure issues are associated with this proposal.

At public comment, Tracy Schulz, on behalf of Dream Farm ownership, spoke in favor of the project, citing the development appropriate for the area.

One email voiced concern for future developments’ impact on water and sewer services on Kent Island, Grasonville, and Queenstown, and recommended posting projected usage numbers.

Public comment is still being accepted and a commissioner vote is expected at the Jan. 14 meeting.