Kohl’s will anchor center if parcel annexation is approved

Site is now occupied by Mitchell Supply store

Friday, Sept. 5, 2008

Click here to enlarge this photo Staff photo by GARY SMITH The land currently occupied by Mitchell Supply Inc. near the intersection of Rosewick Road and U. S. 301 in La Plata is slated for annexation into the town later this month. E-Mail This Article | Print This Story

Roger Wright, director of retail development for the Faison development company — the developer of Rosewick Crossing shopping center on Rosewick Road at the northern edge of town — said during a La Plata Town Council public hearing on the annexation last week at the town hall that Kohl’s is interested in building a store in the La Plata Crossing complex. The property would also contain several small shops, a restaurant and two office buildings.

Faison is currently building Rosewick Crossing that is anchored by a Lowe’s Home Center and Giant grocery store. Giant is slated to open Sept. 19 and the entire complex is scheduled for a grand opening in the fall, Wright said.

‘‘Our smaller tenants are getting ready to open,” he said. ‘‘We’re very excited about the entire center.”

No one spoke during the public hearing on the proposed annexation nor did anyone offer testimony during a public hearing to amend the Rosewick Crossing annexation agreement during the meeting. The proposed amendment to the Rosewick Crossing agreement would ensure that all of the terms of the agreement would comply with the La Plata Crossing annexation agreement if it is approved by the council, Wright said.

On Wednesday, the Charles County commissioners agreed to allow the county’s planning department to submit comments stating that the annexation is consistent with the county’s comprehensive plan.

The county suggested that the town ensure that any pedestrian or bike paths within the annexation be connected to existing paths and called for the town to conduct a traffic study.

If the annexation is approved, Mitchell Supply Inc., currently located on the property, would set up temporary shop on Kent Avenue in town, said Van Mitchell, who owns the company with his brother, John, and sister, Cherry Stackhouse.

Mitchell Supply relocated to the parcel on U.S. 301 just outside the town limits after the 2002 tornado destroyed the business that was located on St. Mary’s Avenue.

The council is expected to adopt a resolution to approve the proposed annexation and amendment during the Sept. 23 meeting.

‘‘I appreciate and love what you’ve done with Rosewick Crossing,” said Ward 4 Councilman Vic Newman. ‘‘I like what you’re doing over there. It’s a nice shopping center.”

Ward 1 Councilman Jim Goldsmith, who plied the developers with questions during a work session last week regarding the annexation agreement, said he was also happy with the way the Rosewick Crossing complex is being developed.

Last week, Goldsmith wanted to include in the La Plata Crossing annexation agreement that Faison would build the complex to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and other ‘‘green” standards to conserve groundwater.

‘‘It’s very convenient having a Lowe’s here rather than having to drive to Waldorf,” he said.

‘‘This annexation will allow us to provide another first-class shopping center and mixed-use complex in the town of La Plata,” Wright said.