St. Michaels, Maryland, a town of 700 homes

St. Michaels, Maryland, a town of 700 homes on Chesapeake Bay, must decide whether to approve a new urbanist project or allow conventional development. The Midland Companies of Washington, D.C., proposed Miles Point, a 375-unit TND, on an 89-acre parcel, the last significant undeveloped site within the town limits. The developer asked for zoning variances and was rejected by the town. Midland’s Gary Modjeska then proposed a single-use conventional plan that adhered to current zoning and divided the site into 30-acre parcels to be built one at a time. Modjeska says the town has no legal right to turn down the second plan and adds that Midland is prepared to go to court to secure its investment. The TND proposal has caused controversy in the town, and two citizens’ groups have formed to fight it. Modjeska is arguing that the TND is the best way for St. Michaels to grow while preserving the character of the village, but Midland will build the conventional development if need be, he says.