Hughesville, MD

Craig W. Barrett, Hughesville, REALTOR®

Hughesville, MD Real Estate

http://www.hughesvillehomes.com/

While on my long runs over the last couple of weeks or so, I've come across several "things" that have caught my eye. And as my mileage increases, I've run down new streets to get my time in. Some say I take my life in my own hands as I run down Route 231. However, I have notice cars and trucks give me plenty of room and I do stay well off away from traffic.

Those of us that use it knows traffic has increased quite a bit over the years. Hughesville is the geographical center of Southern Maryland and Route 231 is a popular route between Route 4 in Calvert County and Route 5 in Charles County.

Several years ago, I tried to get a large parcel for a developer client of mine. The parcel had been inherited and my guess is it needed to be sold fairly quickly to avoid some pretty hefty taxes. It was a 330+- acre parcel and would have been a nice sale. As I was running, I wondered what had happened and ran down the road to take a look.

As I ran down the road, I saw signs of progress. Orange flags hanging off tree branches, wood stakes in the ground, and orange spray paint on the road marking public utilities. From Route 231, you never would have guessed anything was happening back there, there was no advertisement or directionals.

I got to a fork in the road where I had been a couple of years back and saw a sign up ahead. I knew this parcel as well. It had been sold to a local developer and was 300+- acres or more. I was surprised to see how much infrastucture work had been done. It looks like they aren't too far off from delivering lots.

Since then, I've run back down that was and taken pictures. I now take my camera with me on my long runs and get shots of things in Hughesville as I see them. So, if you see a crazy guy running down Route 231, Route 381, Teagues Point Road, Maxwell Hall, or Oliver Shop Road with a camera in hand, it's just me getting pictures for my blog.

It's amazing how much more you see when you're on your feet moving at 7mph. You never would have seen this if you were in your car. There's no indication from the main road anything is going on back there.

When you are out looking to buy new construction in Hughesville, are you sure you're seeing everything?

Craig W. Barrett, Hughesville, REALTOR®

Hughesville, MD Real Estate

http://www.hughesvillehomes.com/

This month's Hughesville Market Report shows little movement in the resale and new construction market. It's should be little surprise to anyone given the time of year and current market conditions. Resales were priced between $264,900-$1,399,000. New Construction was priced between $429,900-$989,900.

We've seen a few more foreclosures and short sales. While they may not represent a majority of the Hughesville market, it's probably safe to say they'll have a negative effect on prices at least in the short term. More inventory has come online with little absorption. Prices on new construction hasn't moved from last month.

I took a look at trending in the resale market and compared absorption rates in a 3 month and 6 month period. For a 6 month comparison period, we have 18.4 months of supply. For a 3 month comparison period, we have 27.5 months of supply. Obviously, during that 3 month period, the resale market has contracted and clearly states it's a buyers market.

As February progresses, we'll continue to watch absorption and trending. Feel free to contact me with questions.

Includes: Benedict Plantation, Bryantown Estates, Cameron Ridge, Carrico Mill, 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.

Craig W. Barrett, Hughesville, REALTOR®

Hughesville, MD Real Estate

http://www.hughesvillehomes.com/

If you are considering planting a vineyard, or you have just recently done so, you will benefit from the information provided in this educational one-day workshop. This seminar is a good overview of what is involved with getting a commercial vineyard started in Maryland, and is part one of a two-part series.

“There has been tremendous interest in the wine grape production throughout the Southern Maryland region. In fact, many growers have or are considering establishing vineyards”, said Ben Beale, of Maryland Cooperative Extension, the organization responsible for coordinating the workshop. “However, successfully establishing a grape vineyard requires keen management and attention to details. New growers should attend to learn the specifics of vineyard establishment, variety selection and economics."

The cost of the workshop is typically $135 but has been reduced to $25 for Maryland residents thanks to subsidies from the Maryland Wine Association / Maryland Grape Growers Association via the Governor’s Commission on Grapes and Wine. To take advantage of this reduced rate, registration must be received by February 6, 2008. Registration after this date or at the door will be $160, if space allows.

“In the spring of 2006, we launched a new grant program for farmers in Southern Maryland to encourage the budding wine industry, and we are pleased we were able to offer this grant opportunity again. We have had applicants from four of the five Southern Maryland counties, and as a result, expect to see an additional 27 new acres added to Maryland’s grape industry within the two years of our program.” Said Christine Bergmark, executive director of the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission. “This workshop is critical to the success of our program and we are delighted that the Maryland Grape Growers Association is helping to sponsor the event.”

Presented in a classroom format, the workshop will cover a broad overview of commercial vineyard development from pre-plant planning into the third year including economics and marketing information, and 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.

The workshop will take place at the SMECO Auditorium in Hughesville, from 8:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. To register or for more information, contact Ben Beale, St. Mary’s Extension Office; phone: 301 475 4484, bbeale@umd.edu or Joe Fiola: phone: 301-432-2767 ext. 344, jfiola@umd.edu. Registration forms and directions can also be found at the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission website: www.somarylandsogood.com.

Craig W. Barrett, Hughesville, REALTOR®

Hughesville, MD Real Estate

http://www.hughesvillehomes.com/

As part of a 17 acre center being developed by Ray Mertz of Manekin, LLC, Safeway Inc. plans to open a grocery store in Charlotte Hall, MD. Construction is expected to begin in about six months. So far, no other tenants have leased space, but that should change as the date for construction nears. I'll post more information as I learn it.

This looks like good news for the area residents of Hughesville, Charlotte Hall and Mechanicsville. It gives us another choice to shop for groceries closer to home than Waldorf, Prince Frederick or California. Safeway has a strong National Brand and should help attract additional quality products and services.

Craig W. Barrett, Hughesville, REALTOR®

Hughesville, MD Real Estate

http://www.hughesvillehomes.com/

Charles County planning officials agreed to postpone a public hearing on the proposed rezoning of 150 acres in Hughesville, MD when they learned that Chaney Enterprises Inc. did not have a traffic study or fiscal analysis done to support the proposal. The rescheduled meeting is February 11, 2008 at 7pm in the County Commissioner’s Meeting Room of the Charles County Government Building, La Plata, Maryland.

Chaney is asking Charles County to rezone the parcel, located on Route 231 east of the Hughesville Post Office and west of the Brookleigh Woods subdivision, from agricultural conservation⁄village residential to heavy industrial. Chaney’s rezoning application is in the event they need to relocate their Waldorf operation to the Route 231 parcel about a dozen years from now. Chaney's need to relocate may be necessary if Charles County wants to move forward with extending Post Office Road across Leonardtown Road through a portion of Chaney's property and connect it to Acton Lane near Route 925.

Since 1962, Chaney’s headquarters for concrete, sand, gravel, stone, masonry products and supplies operation has been located between Acton Lane and Mattawoman-Beantown Road in Waldorf. The company has grown to be one of the leading suppliers of construction materials and supplies in the Mid-Atlantic.

We haven't seen their plan yet and I'm interested to see it, but what do we need to know? It's a mining and dump truck operation of concrete, sand, gravel and stone. My first thought is of traffic, additional dump trucks and the curve on Route 231 where the entrance to the parcel is. For those of us that live in Hughesville, or use Route 231 regularly, knows traffic is already heavy.

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'm sure it's increased and I'm interested to see the results of the traffic study.

I think a mining and dump truck operation of concrete, sand, gravel and stone of that size in that area doesn't make any sense and is unsafe. Why not relocate the operation off of Billingsley Road near the Charles County Landfill? That location seems to make more sense.

What about the Hughesville Village Revitalization Plan? How does a large, heavy-industrial operation fit in the Hughesville Village Revitalization Plan? I don't think it's visually desirable and I am unable to connect the direct economic benefit to Hughesville and its citizens. If you want to see what it'll look like or get a feel for the direct economic benefit to the immediate surrounding area, go to the current operation on Mattawoman-Beantown Road.

From the Hughesville Village Revitalization Plan:

The Hughesville Village Revitalization Plan (Plan) is a master planning effort to be adopted as part of the Charles County Comprehensive Plan. This Plan provides the necessary background, historical information, existing conditions and market analysis necessary to develop a village vision and subsequent revitalization concepts. These concepts will focus village revitalization efforts in two key areas: economic development and physical improvements.

A Village Core Concept emphasizes creating a village core or main street context consisting of streetscape enhancements, alleyway improvements and small scale retail and service establishments along with institutional infill development to enhance the village character. The Plan suggests continued development of professional offices and medical facilities along with niche markets to include non-franchised restaurants, a bakery/deli and a coffee shop, drug store and florist.

The Village Revitalization Plan is designed to accommodate anticipated growth, village core revitalization, economic development and physical enhancement while preserving the village center character of Hughesville. After adoption, the plan will serve as:

• A unified statement of desirable revitalization and development policies.

• A framework within which specific revitalization and development issues can be evaluated and public policy implemented consistent with the long-range revitalization and development goals and objectives of the Village.

• An information document for local elected officials, citizens, developers, and special interest groups concerning critical revitalization and development issues and policies.

• A decision-making tool when reviewing subdivision and site plan proposals.

Tell them no can do, we’re not interested in rezoning. We've got a plan and we're sticking to it.

An informational meeting will be held this Wednesday January 16th at 7pm at the Hughesville Firehouse to allow residents to learn and give opinions or ideas to present at the February 11th meeting.

*Update - Chaney Enterprises Inc. will hold a community meeting 6pm Wednesday January 23, 2008 at the Hughesville Firehouse. All are encouraged to attend.

*Update - The rescheduled meeting is March 17, 2008 at 7pm in the County Commissioner’s Meeting Room of the Charles County Government Building, La Plata, Maryland.