Hughesville, MD

April saw 11 new resale listings and seven new construction listing. As expected, activity has picked up but not enough to substantially increase absorption rate. Like last month, the resale market increased under contracts and volume appears to be realatively steady.

I think prices have come down to a point that has generated buyer interest, however prices continue to drift downward in some neighborhoods. Resales were priced between $220,000-$1,199,000. New Construction was priced between $349,900-$989,900.

Feel free to contact me with questions.

Includes: Benedict Plantation, Bryantown Estates, Cameron Ridge, Carrico Mill, Carriage Crossing, Country Road Estates, Eastern Hills, Indian Creek Estates, Lake Jameson, Oakland Acres, Pine Grove Estates, Sandy Level Estates, Scouts Trail, Stoneleigh, Swanson Creek Landing, Walnut Hills, Willow Creek, Woodlawn Manor

Includes: Benedict Farms, Bucks Run, Carriage Crossing, Crystal Lake, Forest Run, Herbert Fields, Lake Jameson, Maple Brooke, Naylors Reserve, Ole Field Estates, Stoneleigh, Swan's Rest

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When buying or selling a home in Hughesville, MD and the surrounding area, you deserve local expertise and advice. Craig W. Barrett provides professional Real Estate services to home buyers and sellers in the Maryland areas of Hughesville, Charlotte Hall, Benedict, Waldorf, La Plata, Mechanicsville, Aquasco, Baden, Croom, Prince Frederick, Broomes Island, Dunkirk, Huntingtown and the Virginia areas of Leesburg, Ashburn, Aldie, Oak Hill, Fairfax, Montross and King George.

I emphatically oppose the Chaney application for rezoning to Heavy Industrial from Agricultural Conservative and I implore our Planning Commission to deny the application. Every one of us in Hughesville continues to work hard for our investment. This is where we raise our kids, tend to our homes and produce our goods. It's so painfully obvious to me this location is inappropriate for a Heavy Industrial operation. I am most concerned with peripheral development around the Village of Hughesville. It's reasonable to surmise once one parcel goes Heavy Industrial, a precedent is set and other applications and approvals will soon follow.

According to the 2003 Maryland State Highway Administration Traffic Volume Map, there were of an average of 14,725 daily trips in that approximate location. I suspect the relocation of an operation requiring a rezoning to Heavy Industrial from Agricultural Conservative will only exacerbate an already over-utilized two-lane road with truck traffic. I also think other routes in the area will be affected. Route 381, Route 5, Route 2, Route 4, Dr. Bowen Road, Poplar Hill Road, Oliver Shop Road and Bryantown Road will probably see increased truck traffic if the application to rezone is approved.

We have a revitalization plan and rezoning an Agricultural Conservative parcel to Heavy Industrial for a sand and gravel operation is not a desire of the community or the vision of the plan. I certainly understand Chaney's desire to relocate to Hughesville, the location to distribute/receive product to/from the rest of Southern Maryland is ideal for any business.

The Village Revitalization Plan was designed to accommodate anticipated growth, village core revitalization, economic development and physical enhancement while preserving the village center character of Hughesville. How does a large, Heavy Industrial operation fit in the Hughesville Village Revitalization Plan? Clearly, it doesn't. I don't think it's visually desirable and I am unable to connect the direct economic benefit to Hughesville and its citizens.

Hughesville is at a cross-road and I think Chaney Enterprises is too. I think Chaney has an opportunity to diversifying their business. Obviously, sand and gravel are in limited supply in Charles County. So what's next for Chaney? Why not consider planting a vineyard at the Hughesville site? There has been tremendous local interest and State level support in the wine grape production throughout the Southern Maryland region. The agricultural use may fit the needs of revitalizing the Village of Hughesville and certainly would fit the broad agrarian characteristics of the surrounding area.

Maryland Cooperative Extension coordinated a workshop earlier this year that covered a broad overview of commercial vineyard development. From pre-plant planning and into the third year including economics, marketing information, variety, clone and rootstock choices, site selection and preparation, pre-plant decisions, equipment and supply requirements, the basics of ordering, planting, and tending the vines through the third year of growth, as well as best practices for training, canopy management, and pest management. That was the first of a two-part series. Why not take advantage of their experience and expertise?

I have no idea if the soil will support wine grapes, if Chaney is motivated or if there's any community support for a commercial Vineyard. But with a parcel as large as this one and given its location, I think there's an excellent opportunity here. Not only is it an excellent opportunity to diversify a mature County business, but an excellent opportunity to help revive a once thriving Village and preserve the surrounding community's quality of life.

Chaney Vineyards. What do you think?

Craig Barrett
Hughesville, MD

Oak Ridge park is located in Hughesville, MD on Oaks Road. This eastern area park offers a combination of active and passive recreational activities.

Athletic fields for official league use, by permit only, include little league and full size baseball fields. Also a field is available for community pick-up play. A playground and picnic pavilion area are included at this facility.

Saturday April 26 was opening day for Hughesville Baseball, most of the games were played at Oak Ridge Park in Hughesville. The day started early with individual and team pictures. The weather was perfect. The afternoon high reached the low 80's with bright sunshine and a nice breeze.

In addition to baseball and softball fields, Oak Ridge Park has an equestrian area and riding trails. The Oak Ridge Park Equestrian Area is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to Dusk (weather permitting). Features include a show area with two riding rings and miles of equestrian trails.

Wooded equestrian trails and two show rings are available on a first come, first served, basis unless there are scheduled events. This facility is available for rent by equestrian organizations and ideal for youth and open events. This area of Oak Ridge Park is open to the public sever (7) days a week from dawn to dusk.

Show Area: This section consists of two sand arenas measuring 320' x 150' and 280' x 150'. Additional features include a large judges stand with roof and electric, bleachers, turf warm-up area, trailer parking area with water, portable toilets and additional trailer/spectator parking for large events. The show area is open on a first come basis, except during scheduled special events.

For scheduled equestrian events please see: http://www.charlescounty.org/pf/pg/parks/schedule_oakridge.pdf

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When buying or selling Real Estate in Hughesville, MD and the surrounding area, you deserve local expertise and advice. Craig W. Barrett provides professional Real Estate services to home buyers and sellers in the Maryland areas of Hughesville, Charlotte Hall, Benedict, Waldorf, La Plata, Mechanicsville, Aquasco, Baden, Croom, Prince Frederick, Broomes Island, Dunkirk, Huntingtown and the Virginia areas of Leesburg, Ashburn, Aldie, Oak Hill, Fairfax, Montross and King George.

A lot of communities have old railroad right-of-of ways converted to walk, run, bike trails for public use. We really don't have that in Hughesville, MD, so I thought I'd share where I run as I train for my marathons.

I live in Carriage Crossing which is off of Route 381. It's a two lane road with wide shoulders in some places. All of the roads I run on in the area are two lane roads and most of them have enough of a shoulder to run. Of course these roads were built in the 1920's and aren't designed to handle the traffic that's on them now. But, that's another blog post...

The main artery that takes me east or west of the Hughesville Bypass is Route 231. Route 231 connects Calvert County to Charles County at Benedict, MD. I never know which way I want to go until I get to Jimmie's Corner. The routes were built on some of the original colonial roads. For example, some parts of present day Route 231 and Route 381 were the same paths used by the British as they marched north to the Capital in Washington, DC from the Flotilla landing at Benedict, MD. They are part of the Star Spangled Banner Trail.

Going west on Route 231 is more flat. I'll run out to Olivers Shop and back, depending on the mileage I need to get in. Occasionally, I'll run through Lake Jameson neighborhood.

Going east towards the Patuxent River has more hills. It's not anything one couldn't handle, just something to be aware of. I'll run to Teagues Point Road and turn left and run past the neighborhoods of Naylors Reserve, Swanson Creek Landing, Swan Harbor, Benedict Plantation and Maxwell Hall. Be aware, the shoulders are tight and there are several blind corners.

If I head east, I like to run to Maxwell Hall Equestrian Park. The park is located off of Maxwell Hall Drive. There are about 9 miles of trails and is run along the banks of Swanson Creek, Patuxent River and the Robinson property. You might see an occasional tractor as it is a working farm. Please stay off of the crop areas.

I'm going to eventually venture north on Route 381 and run towards the communities of Baden, Aquasco and Croom. When I do, I'll grab some pictures and post them.

Take advantage of what Hughesville, MD has to offer. It's a beautiful place.

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When buying or selling Real Estate in Hughesville, MD and the surrounding area, you deserve local expertise and advice. Craig W. Barrett provides professional Real Estate services to home buyers and sellers in the Maryland areas of Hughesville, Charlotte Hall, Benedict, Waldorf, La Plata, Mechanicsville, Aquasco, Baden, Croom, Prince Frederick, Broomes Island, Dunkirk, Huntingtown and the Virginia areas of Leesburg, Ashburn, Aldie, Oak Hill, Fairfax, Montross and King George.

I am running in the 2008 Marine Corps Historic Half in Fredericksburg, VA with Team Semper Fi and am raising money for injured Marines and their families. My goal is to raise at least $250. You can help by making a contribution, please use the link below to donate online quickly and securely.

The donations will go to the Semper Fi Fund. You will receive email confirmation of your donation and I will be notified as soon as you make your donation. If you prefer to make an offline donation, the link below explains how to do so. Just let me know your donation amount, so I can add it to my total.

I thank you in advance for your support, and truly appreciate your generosity.

Click here to Donate

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My next long race following the Marine Corps Historic Half in Fredericksburg is the National Capital 20 Miler along the banks of the Potomac River just north of Mount Vernon, VA. I might fill in the summer months with shorter local races if I can find some.

My previous marathons this year on February 16 in Myrtle Beach, SC and April 19 in Charlottesville, VA were very successful, please help me continue the success.

While a donation would be fantastic, words of encouragement to those in our Armed Forces are always appreciated!