More Change for Clarksville – Meeting to Present Plans for River Hill Square

Security Development Corporation (SDC) Properties revealed its plans to redevelop the River Hill Garden Center property, as part of a joint venture with the current owner, at a pre-submission community meeting held in October. Steve Breeden, SDC, will present the concept plans to the Association’s Board of Directors at their meeting on November 7. This meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. Members of the community are encouraged to attend. To view the meeting agenda visit: www.villageofriverhill.org/board.

SDC Properties currently owns Clarksville Square, the retail center that includes Roots Market and PNC Bank. The concept plan presented in October depicted two “L” shaped buildings, totaling 40,000 square feet of commercial space, replacing the existing Garden Center buildings. At the pre-submission meeting, Mr. Breeden indicated they are in discussions with the United States Postal Service about re-opening the Clarksville Post Office on the site. Additional uses the developer is anticipating include a 10,000 square foot food-related business, a quality sit-down restaurant with outdoor seating, possibly a bank, and smaller retailers such as coffee and gift shops. The plan also showed modifications to the intersection of MD 108 to include creation and lengthening of turn lanes and an entrance/exit to the property at Sheppard Lane. Also shown were the conversion of the existing entrance/exit to right-in/right-out and the inclusion of a pedestrian/bike way.

During the October meeting, members of the community expressed a variety of concerns, including:

•  the ability of the traffic-related changesto address the existing traffic and safety issues including the Linden Linthicum   Lane intersection;
• preferences for a perpendicular intersection at Sheppard Lane;
• noises, lights, and odors impacting the surrounding properties and homes in the vicinity; and
• compatibility with the Clarksville Streetscape Plan and Design Guidelines approved by the County.

The Association plans to provide input to the County’s Design Advisory Panel as well as the Subdivision Review Committee during the review process and wants to hear what members of the River Hill community think. Please plan to attend the November 7 meeting or share your views with the Board via email by following the link at www.villageofriverhill.org/board/board-of-directors/.