About the project
What is Lusby Villas?
Lusby Villas is a multi-family residential development proposed for 11770 Lusby Parkway - a 26.23-acre parcel located within the Lusby Town Center zone. The land is owned by John Gott Jr., a local businessman whose family has owned it for several decades. The project is being developed by Quality Built Homes, whose principal Rodney Gertz also serves on the county's Transferable Development Rights (TDR) committee.
The project would consist of 276 multi-family dwelling units plus community amenities. It is permitted as a use under the Lusby Town Center Zoning Ordinance. The site borders Chesapeake Ranch Estates - the largest residential community in Calvert County - and sits near Drum Point along Rousby Hall Road.
A central point of contention is that the project's zoning basis derives from the original Lusby Town Center master plan, which opponents argue predates current infrastructure realities by approximately two decades and has not been meaningfully updated.
Full timeline
6.3 acres of forest retention area recorded on the parcel to satisfy forest conservation requirements for Lusby Center subdivision. This existing FRA would later constrain the Lusby Villas development footprint.
Stormwater management easement conveyed to the county. Retention pond constructed to satisfy requirements for Lusby Parkway construction.
Planning CommissionConcept site plan approved by the Planning Commission under CSPR-138111, authorizing 276 multi-family dwelling units. Project publicly revealed for the first time.
Community petition circulated on Change.org calling for a third-party impact assessment of roads and schools before construction proceeds. Commissioner Mike Hart raises concerns in subsequent work sessions, stating he has never had a Lusby resident ask him to build more apartments.
BOCCCommissioner Hart raises concerns at a BOCC work session: "It looks like there is ample apartments on the books and existing." Calls Calvert "a bedroom community" and proposes requiring five TDRs per unit for future apartment projects. Developer Rodney Gertz of Quality Built Homes argues for grandfathering projects already well into the approval process.
Environmental and regulatory review period. Applicant provides updated forest stand delineation (noting two hardwood stands and 13 specimen trees), updated nontidal wetland delineation confirming Cleve Branch and surrounding wetlands, and a Jurisdictional Determination request to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Maryland Department of Environment confirms 25-foot wetland buffer is sufficient. USACE grants the Jurisdictional Determination in January 2023.
Administrative Variance granted for removal of the 13 specimen trees on the parcel.
Planning CommissionPreliminary subdivision plan presented to the full Planning Commission. Planning Commissioner Christopher Gadway moves to defer pending an updated traffic study - motion ends in a 3-3 tie, broken by Chairman Gregory Kernan to not defer. Project then approved in a split vote. Planning Commissioners Gadway, McQueen, and Freeland vote no.
Public meetingBOCC holds informational public meeting at Southern Community Center in Lusby (7-9 p.m.), livestreamed on YouTube. Residents permitted to speak. Commissioners Hart and Grasso voice opposition to the project. Attendee Sarah Weems, a Chamber of Commerce member, cites "lack of transparency" in the approval process.
Planning CommissionPlanning Commissioner Freeland moves to rescind the May subdivision approval. Motion denied 4-3.
Planning CommissionFinal subdivision plat certification approved 4-3. Final plat recorded in land records the following day, August 22.
Updated traffic study approved by the Department of Public Works - a required component for site plan approval.
CommunityLusby residents meet and organize Save Lusby Inc., a volunteer nonprofit advocacy group, to pursue legal options to challenge the project.
LegalFive Lusby residents - Sean McGuire, Megan Farringer, Kyle Farringer, Terry Singer, and Chris Lee - file a petition for judicial review in Calvert County Circuit Court, represented by attorneys G. Macy Nelson and Alex Votaw.
Board of AppealsPublic hearing on whether the zoning ordinance allows tolling of the site plan's expiration during active litigation. Planning & Zoning had argued only a court could grant tolling. Developer John Gott Jr. appears and notes he is "$2.5 million into this project." The Board of Appeals takes two votes: first declares (3-2, with members Ireland, Clark, and Briscoe in favor) that an error occurred in the original denial of tolling status, then votes unanimously (5-0) to grant the tolling. The site plan's expiration clock is paused for the duration of litigation.
Circuit CourtCalvert County Circuit Court Judge Michelle Jaktlisch (visiting judge) rules to uphold the Planning Commission's approval. The circuit court case is officially closed. Save Lusby Inc. states it is "extremely disappointed" and will consult its attorneys on next steps.
Appellate CourtSave Lusby attorney G. Macy Nelson confirms an appeal to the Appellate Court of Maryland was filed by September 19, 2025. Project remains on hold pending outcome.
PendingAppeal to the Appellate Court of Maryland is active. Project on hold. Outcome will determine whether construction may proceed under current approvals.
Community concerns
Community organization
Save Lusby Inc.
Save Lusby Inc. is a volunteer, community-driven nonprofit organization formed in September 2024 specifically to challenge the Lusby Villas approval through the legal system. The group describes its mission as preserving "the unique character, natural beauty, and small-town spirit of Lusby" and advocates for responsible growth that respects residents' needs and values.
The group is funding its legal challenge through GoFundMe donations. No board members are paid - all work is done pro bono. The organization maintains a website, YouTube channel, and social media presence where they document updates on the project and legal proceedings.
Save Lusby Inc. is an independent community organization and is not affiliated with Protect Calvert. Protect Calvert does not direct, fund, or speak for this group. We are linking to their resources because they are the primary community organization actively tracking and challenging this development.
Documented public positions
Commissioner Mike Hart (R, District 1 - Incumbent, seeking fourth term): "It looks like there is ample apartments on the books and existing." Stated no Lusby resident he has ever spoken with has asked for more apartments. Called Calvert "a bedroom community" whose newcomers are "leaving areas that reflect a lot of apartments." Stated at the July 2024 public meeting that Lusby "doesn't have the infrastructure" for a project of this scale. Has consistently opposed large-scale apartment development throughout his tenure.
Commissioner Catherine M. Grasso (R, District 3 - Incumbent, seeking second term): Voiced opposition to the Lusby Villas project. Attended and participated in the July 9, 2024 public informational meeting opposing the project's advancement.
Commissioner Todd Ireland (R, At-Large - Did not advance past June 2026 primary): At a Calvert County Chamber of Commerce event, defended the project: "There has been a lot of mistruths about this project."
Commissioner Earl F. "Buddy" Hance (R, At-Large - Did not advance past June 2026 primary): Stated that if the BOCC were to take action to kill the Lusby Villas plan, it would result in a lawsuit the county would lose. Did not express documented opposition to the project.
Rodney Gertz, Quality Built Homes (developer): "Nobody wants to see runaway growth. People want Calvert to be country. They want it to be rural, me included. The sliding scale was brought in to actually encourage a few of these projects. I would just ask that we 'grandfather' people that have already spent millions of dollars on projects that are basically vested."
John Gott Jr. (landowner): At the January 2026 Board of Appeals hearing: "I'm $2.5 million into this project. It doesn't seem fair. It doesn't seem right." Noted his family has owned the land and paid taxes on it for several decades and that the parcel sits within the Lusby Town Center where development is intended to occur.
Open questions
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